Nigeria has formally transitioned from its long-standing 10-digit Tax Identification Number (TIN) system to a new 13-digit Tax ID. This marks a significant step in the country’s drive to modernise tax administration and deepen financial sector integration.
The change was announced by the Joint Revenue Board (JRB). It said all taxpayers—individuals and businesses—are now required to retrieve and use the new 13-digit Tax ID for official and financial transactions.
According to the JRB, the new identifier can be retrieved online via taxid.jrb.gov.ng, using a National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals or a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration number for businesses.
Why Nigeria Is Changing the TIN System
The move reflects broader reforms aimed at:
Unifying taxpayer identity across federal and state tax authorities
Improving data integrity and reducing duplication in the tax system
Strengthening compliance through tighter linkage between tax records, banking, and digital identity systems
By expanding the identifier from 10 to 13 digits, authorities are able to accommodate a larger taxpayer base. Additionally, they are embedding verification layers that align with Nigeria’s evolving digital infrastructure.
Implications for Banks and Fintechs
The JRB announcement directly tagged major deposit money banks and fintech platforms. This signals that the new Tax ID will increasingly be required across the financial system. Institutions referenced include commercial banks, tier-2 lenders, and payment platforms. This underscores the expectation that Tax ID validation will become standard in KYC, onboarding, and transaction monitoring.
This aligns with Nigeria’s broader push to tighten the interface between:
tax administration
the banking system
digital payments
national identity management
For fintechs and banks, the reform reduces ambiguity around taxpayer identification and supports more robust regulatory compliance.
What Taxpayers Need to Do
Existing taxpayers: Retrieve your new 13-digit Tax ID online; the old 10-digit TIN is being phased out.
Individuals: Ensure your NIN is properly linked and active.
Businesses: Confirm that CAC registration details are accurate and up to date.
The JRB emphasised that the retrieval process is straightforward and fully digital.
A Quiet but Important Reform
While the change may appear technical, it is a foundational reform with long-term implications for tax compliance, revenue mobilisation, financial transparency, and policy execution. By tightening identity links across public and private systems, Nigeria is laying groundwork for a more coherent fiscal and digital governance architecture.
