Fidelity Bank to Restrict Accounts Without NIN or TIN from January 2026

Fidelity Bank has announced that from 1 January 2026, customers whose accounts are not linked to either a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or a National Identity Number (NIN) may face restrictions on transactions, as Nigeria moves to tighten tax and identity compliance within the banking system.

The bank said the directive is part of broader regulatory reforms under the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, which mandates that every bank account in the country must be connected to a valid tax or identity record. Under the new framework, all account holders are expected to have a TIN, while linking a NIN will serve as an acceptable alternative for customers who have not yet registered for tax identification.

Fidelity Bank has already begun notifying customers, urging them to update their account details promptly to avoid disruption once the policy takes effect. In its communication, the bank warned that accounts without a linked TIN or NIN may be unable to carry out transactions after the January deadline.

The move aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed push to strengthen tax compliance and expand the tax net. The NTAA 2025 provides a clearer legal foundation for enforcing tax identification requirements across the banking sector, ensuring that individuals and businesses with taxable income are properly captured. According to Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, the new law empowers banks and regulators to fully implement comprehensive compliance measures from next year.

The policy represents a significant shift for millions of Nigerians, particularly those operating in the informal sector and small business owners who are not currently registered for tax. To continue using their bank accounts without limitations, affected customers will need to regularise their tax status or, at a minimum, link their NIN. The government believes the initiative will boost tax revenue by improving visibility into income-generating activities and reducing leakages.

Beyond revenue considerations, experts say linking bank accounts to TINs and NINs will strengthen the integrity of the financial system. Identity-linked accounts make customer verification easier for banks and reduce the risk of unreported income and financial misconduct. A tax compliance analyst explained that the policy will enable banks and regulators to monitor taxable activities more effectively, fostering greater transparency and accountability.

The enforcement of the NTAA 2025 is also expected to improve financial reporting standards across the banking industry. For institutions such as Fidelity Bank, enhanced transaction monitoring reduces the risk of breaching tax and regulatory obligations. While similar requirements were introduced under previous finance acts, weak implementation limited their impact. The 2025 legislation is designed to close those gaps and ensure consistent enforcement across all financial institutions.

Under the new rules, banks will play a central role in driving compliance. Fidelity Bank has made it clear that customers who fail to update their records may experience restrictions on transactions, including transfers, withdrawals and payments. Although the bank has not detailed the full scope of possible limitations, the warning is unambiguous: non-compliant accounts risk losing full functionality.

With the January 2026 deadline approaching, Fidelity Bank customers, particularly individuals and small businesses, are being advised to act early by visiting bank branches or using approved digital channels to link their NIN or TIN and avoid last-minute disruptions.