Tax Matters: NRS highlights importance of unified, mandatory ID system for Nigerians

*The Nigeria Revenue Service the new Tax Identification (ID) Number will serve as a single identity for taxpayers at both Federal and sub-national levels, to replace multiple identification systems currently in use in the Nigerian economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the recent introduction, promulgation, and gazetting of four different laws under the West African country’s new Tax Reforms, the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and Joint Revenue Board (JRB), have announced the introduction of a new Taxpayer Identification system known as Tax ID.

ConsumerConnect reports the NRS, which disclosed this in a public notice released Monday, May 18, 2026, in Abuja, FCT, made it compulsory for every taxable Nigerian to obtain a unified tax identity number in the ecosystem.

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The tax administration agency explained the new system, under Sections 6, 7 and 8 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), 2025 aimed to strengthen tax administration, improve transparency, and make tax-related services easier for individuals, businesses and organisations across the country.

The NRS also explained the Tax ID would serve as a single identity for taxpayers at both the Federal and sub-national levels, replacing multiple identification systems currently in use in the Nigerian economy.

The public notice further described the concept as an initiative designed to simplify tax registration, filing and payment processes while also improving the management of taxpayer information across Nigeria.

The agency said the unified Tax ID also would help to consolidate taxpayers’ records, remove duplication, and improve coordination among tax authorities across different tiers of the Nigerian Government.

The Service said: “The Tax ID will serve as a single, unified identity for all taxpayers, enabling seamless interaction with tax authorities at both federal and sub-national levels.”

It noted the new ID system is expected to improve visibility and tracking of taxpayers’ records, reduce revenue leakages, and strengthen accountability in tax administration in the country.

The initiative, noted the notice, would support data harmonisation by aligning taxpayer information across government Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), financial institutions, and other organisations that rely on taxpayer verification systems.

It said as part of the transition process, the agency announced that the new Tax ID system would replace the existing Tax Identification Number (TIN) Validation Application Programming Interface (API), currently being used by MDAs, banks, and other institutions in the economy.

The NRS, therefore, urged organisations that require integration or validation services relating to Tax ID for individuals, enterprises and business names to contact the Standardisation and Modernisation Department of the Joint Revenue Board for access and guidelines.

It also stated that corporate organisations seeking Tax ID integration and validation services have been directed to work with the Tax Automation Department of the Nigeria Revenue Service for access to the new Tax ID API and related integration procedures.

According to the agency, the measure forms part of broader government efforts at modernising Nigeria’s tax administration system, improve service delivery and create a more transparent and efficient tax environment for taxpayers and institutions.

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