metro
No need for separate TIN to operate bank accounts – FIRS
No need for separate TIN to operate bank accounts – FIRS
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has refuted claims that Nigerians must obtain a separate Tax Identification Number before they can own or operate a bank account, insisting that the new framework integrates seamlessly with existing national registries such as the National Identification Number and Corporate Affairs Commission records.
This clarification comes amid widespread claims following media reports suggesting that from January 2026, every Nigerian would be required to present a TIN to open or maintain a bank account, a development that generated fears of fresh bureaucratic hurdles for citizens.
Reacting to the controversy, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, the Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, elucidated in a post on her official X handle on Saturday that the reports were false.
“In recent debates about Nigeria’s tax reforms, a widespread misconception has taken root: that citizens without a Tax Identification Number (TIN) cannot own or operate a bank account.
“This view, while the reality is that Nigeria’s tax system has evolved to integrate seamlessly with existing national registries, ensuring that every eligible individual or entity is automatically identifiable for tax purposes.
“This article clarifies how the new framework works, drawing from the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s (FIRS) implementation of the National Taxpayer Directory under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025),” parts of her explanation read.
She also explained that the TIN is a 13-digit identifier designed to uniquely capture details of taxable persons and entities across Nigeria.
She continued, “What is a Tax ID? The Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a 13-digit unique identifier for all taxable persons and entities in Nigeria. It encodes details such as issuance year, registry source (NIN for individuals, RC for corporates), state of registration, and a cryptographic fragment for security, ending with a check digit.
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“The TIN is not a standalone requirement imposed on citizens. Instead, it’s a statutory tool that ensures every taxpayer, whether an individual, a registered business, or an association, can be uniquely verified within the national tax system.”
Speaking on the integration with national identity systems, Atoyebi stressed that citizens are already tax-compliant once they provide their NIN.
“Tax ID and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC): For individuals, the TIN is automatically linked to their National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“When an individual provides their NIN, such as during bank account opening or Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, the system cross-checks the NIN in the national database. As part of this verification, the TIN is automatically retrieved and attached to the person’s records.
“This means citizens do not need to manually apply for or present a tax ID before opening a bank account. The system handles the integration in real time,” her explanation added.
She also disclosed that businesses are also covered through their CAC registration numbers.
“Tax ID and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC): For businesses, the TIN is tied directly to the RC Number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“Likewise, for cooperatives, partnerships, professional bodies, and other legal entities, the TIN is connected to their respective recognized registries. This linkage ensures that corporate entities can be transparently identified for both tax & compliance purposes. Just as with individuals, banks and regulators do not require extra documentation beyond the foundational registry numbers to confirm tax status,” she continued.
She emphasized the framework’s overall benefits, arguing that it fosters inclusion, financial access, and fraud prevention.
She added, “Exploring the Benefits of Tax ID:Seamless Banking Access: Individuals and businesses can open and operate bank accounts using their NIN or RC number, with the TIN automatically integrated behind the scenes. Fraud Reduction: The system eliminates duplicate or false identities by ensuring every taxpayer is tied to a verifiable registry.
“Regulatory Compliance: Banks and financial institutions can rely on a single, consent-driven source of truth for onboarding, reporting, and KYC compliance. Inclusivity: Beyond companies, the framework extends coverage to associations, professional bodies, and trustees. Global Compatibility: Nigeria’s tax system can securely interact with international systems for trade finance and compliance.”
According to her, the widespread notion that Nigerians would be barred from banking services without a separate TIN is misplaced.
“The misconception that Nigerians cannot own or operate a bank account without a tax ID overlooks the integrated design of the new TIN system. By linking TINs to existing foundational identifiers such as the NIN and RC Number, the system ensures automatic compliance without creating unnecessary barriers for citizens.
“In practice, this means a Nigerian walking into a bank with their NIN is already tax-compliant. The bank simply retrieves their TIN as part of its onboarding process. Far from being a hurdle, the TIN framework is a gateway to financial inclusion, regulatory transparency, and global interoperability in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy,” Atoyebi concluded.
No need for separate TIN to operate bank accounts – FIRS
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metro
‘I Went to My Pastor for Deliverance, Ended Up in Bed With Him’ – Lady Recounts Encounter
‘I Went to My Pastor for Deliverance, Ended Up in Bed With Him’ – Lady Recounts Encounter
A Nigerian woman has sparked controversy on social media after recounting an alleged sexual encounter with her former pastor during a deliverance session.
The unidentified woman reportedly made the revelation during a video interview shared by social media platform NewsVista, claiming that what began as a visit to seek spiritual intervention eventually ended in a sexual encounter.
In the viral clip, the woman expressed confusion over how the incident happened, insisting that she still struggles to understand how a session she had expected to be devoted to prayer and deliverance turned into an intimate encounter.
The interview has since attracted attention online, with the allegation raising concerns about the relationship between religious leaders and members who approach them for spiritual guidance and counselling.
Although details surrounding the alleged incident remain unclear, the woman’s account has triggered discussions about the responsibility of religious leaders to maintain professional and ethical boundaries while attending to vulnerable members of their congregations.
Some social media users have criticised the alleged conduct, arguing that pastors and other religious leaders occupy positions of trust and should not exploit their spiritual authority or the vulnerability of people seeking assistance.
Others have called for religious organisations to strengthen accountability measures and introduce safeguards for private counselling and deliverance sessions.
However, the identity of the pastor, the church involved and the location where the alleged incident occurred have not been disclosed.
It is also unclear when the alleged encounter took place or whether the woman has made any formal complaint to the relevant authorities.
NewsTrends.ng cannot independently verify the circumstances surrounding the woman’s account. The allegation should therefore be treated as unverified pending further details or an official response from the person concerned.
The development has once again drawn attention to the need for accountability, transparency and appropriate boundaries in religious counselling, particularly where individuals place their trust in spiritual leaders for help with personal challenges.
‘I Went to My Pastor for Deliverance, Ended Up in Bed With Him’ – Lady Recounts Encounter
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metro
Port Harcourt Married Women Use Husbands’ Cars To Visit Lovers, Lady Alleges
Port Harcourt Married Women Use Husbands’ Cars To Visit Lovers, Lady Alleges
A Nigerian lady has stirred controversy on social media after making a sweeping allegation about the alleged infidelity of some married women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The unidentified woman reportedly made the controversial claim in a viral video, alleging that some married women in the oil-rich city use vehicles provided by their husbands to visit their secret lovers.
According to a report by Gistlover dated November 3, 2026, the lady claimed that the alleged practice was particularly common in Port Harcourt, a remark that has since triggered widespread reactions across social media platforms.
In the video, she reportedly expressed surprise at what she portrayed as a disturbing pattern of marital betrayal, suggesting that some women allegedly use the comfort and resources provided by their husbands to maintain extramarital relationships.
Her remarks have generated mixed reactions among social media users, with some finding the allegation amusing, while others criticised the generalisation, arguing that infidelity is not peculiar to any city or gender.
Others questioned the basis of her claim, insisting that allegations involving marital relationships should not be used to stereotype women or residents of an entire city.
The controversy has once again sparked conversations about marital trust, fidelity, loyalty and the growing debate surrounding infidelity in modern relationships.
However, the woman’s allegation has not been independently verified, and there is no evidence establishing that the alleged conduct is widespread among married women in Port Harcourt.
Port Harcourt Married Women Use Husbands’ Cars To Visit Lovers, Lady Alleges
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Tears In Ebonyi Community As Newlyweds, Groom’s Mother, Seven Others Perish In Crash
Tears In Ebonyi Community As Newlyweds, Groom’s Mother, Seven Others Perish In Crash
A wedding celebration has turned into a devastating tragedy after a newly married couple, the groom’s mother and seven other people reportedly lost their lives in a fatal road accident while returning from a marriage ceremony in Ebonyi State.
The accident, which reportedly occurred around 9pm last Friday, claimed nine lives, leaving two families and their communities in deep mourning.
The victims included the bride and groom, the groom’s mother, Augustina Okabekwa, as well as other relatives and friends who had reportedly accompanied the family to the marriage ceremony.
According to a report by The Eagle, the victims were returning from Abakaliki, where the marriage ceremony had taken place, when the tragic incident occurred.
A family member of the groom, identified as Nwada Ijeoma, recounted the devastating incident during a visit to the Okabekwa family compound in Amudo Umueze, Iseke, the groom’s hometown.
Ijeoma, who is married and resides in Nnewi, Anambra State, said she rushed to the family compound after receiving news of the tragedy to ascertain what had happened.
Speaking in Igbo, she expressed shock and grief over the incident, describing it as a devastating blow to the family.
She explained that she was initially unaware that members of her family had travelled to Abakaliki on Friday for the marriage ceremony of one of their sons.
According to her, the ceremony reportedly ended late, forcing the wedding party to begin their return journey at night because of the distance involved.
She said information available to the family suggested that the vehicle conveying the victims was involved in a collision with a trailer.
However, she stressed that the exact circumstances surrounding the crash remained unclear, including whether the vehicle rammed into the trailer or the trailer collided with the victims’ vehicle.
Among those reportedly killed was the groom’s mother, Augustina Okabekwa, popularly known as Okwuruoka, who was said to be the president of the Christian Women Organisation (CWO).
Others identified by the family member included Jude Okabekwa, the groom’s brother-in-law, and Okaka, the groom’s younger brother.
She also disclosed that the tragedy wiped out several members of the extended family, including their only son from another household.
According to her account, three of the deceased were from Onitsha, Anambra State, while five others were from the groom’s family compound.
The report, however, did not provide the identities of all the victims or clarify the circumstances surrounding the remaining casualty.
The tragedy has reportedly plunged the Okabekwa family and the wider Iseke community into mourning, with the family struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss.
What was expected to be a joyful occasion marking the beginning of a new chapter for the newly married couple has instead ended in an unimaginable tragedy.
As of the time of the report, further details about the accident, including the identities of all the victims and the official circumstances surrounding the crash, had yet to emerge.
Tears In Ebonyi Community As Newlyweds, Groom’s Mother, Seven Others Perish In Crash
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