Business

FIRS says TIN not needed to operate bank accounts

The TIN is a 13-digit identifier uniquely capturing details of taxable persons and entities. It encodes information such as issuance year, registry source (NIN for individuals, RC for companies), state of registration, and a cryptographic security fragment.

Published

9 months ago

September 15, 2025

OCHEFA

563 Views

The Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS) has clarified that Nigerians are not required to obtain a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) before operating or opening bank accounts.

In a statement posted on her official X handle, the Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, Aderonke Atoyebi, said that the clarification becomes necessary as a result of widespread reports suggesting that, from January 2026, citizens would need to present a TIN to access banking services—a claim that sparked public concern over the possibility of new bureaucratic hurdles.

She said that the reports were misleading and that the TIN framework has been designed to integrate with existing national registries such as the National Identification Number (NIN) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records.

“In recent debates about Nigeria’s tax reforms, a widespread misconception has taken root: that citizens without a TIN cannot own or operate a bank account.

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,” she wrote.

Related Topics:FIRS TIN requirements for bank accounts

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Exchange Rates Today Friday, 12 June

Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1,397
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,850

Published

3 days ago

June 12, 2026

OCHEFA

46 Views

Official CBN Exchange Rates

US Dollar (USD) ₦1,363. 83

Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,821. 25

EURO (EUR) ₦1,572. 90

SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,706. 49

JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.50

CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201.20

West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.40

West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,857. 45

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦363. 29

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.61

Black Market Rates

US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,397 Sell ₦1,405

Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,850 Sell: ₦1,870

EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,587 Sell ₦1, 607

Canadian Dollar (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100

South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90

UAE Dirham Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370

Chinese Yuan Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200

Ghana Cedi (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110

West African CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460

Central African CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300

Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900

Business

Airtel launches data calculator to counter depletion complaints

Commenting on the significance of the launch, Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, said that the company remains focused on building a network and customer experience ecosystem anchored on trust, transparency and continuous improvement.

Published

4 days ago

June 11, 2026

OCHEFA

60 Views

Airtel Nigeria has launched the Airtel Web Data Calculator, a new digital tool designed to help customers estimate and better understand their internet data consumption based on real-life usage patterns.

Available through Airtel’s website, the calculator enables customers to estimate data usage across common digital activities such as video streaming, social media engagement, voice and video calls, and everyday web browsing.

Speaking on the launch, Oladokun Oye, Customer Experience Director, Airtel Nigeria, said that the initiative reflects Airtel’s commitment to customer empowerment and service transparency.

“As Nigerians become increasingly dependent on digital services for work, education, entertainment and communication, it is important that customers have clear visibility into how their data is consumed.

The Airtel Web Data Calculator was developed to help our customers understand their usage patterns better, make informed choices, and enjoy greater confidence in their digital experience,” he said.

Commenting on the significance of the launch, Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, said the company remains focused on building a network and customer experience ecosystem anchored on trust, transparency and continuous improvement.

“The future of telecommunications will be defined not only by network investments but also by how effectively operators help customers understand and manage their digital lives. The Airtel Web Data Calculator represents a practical innovation that places more information and control directly in the hands of our customers.” He said.

Business

Kingsley Moghalu chairs Bluecode Africa subsidiary in Nigeria

Moghalu served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, heading the Financial System Stability and Operations Directorates at different periods.

Published

4 days ago

June 11, 2026

OCHEFA

62 Views

Bluecode Africa, the European payments infrastructure operator backed by leading US and European institutional investors, has named Prof Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu as Chairman of the Advisory Board of its Nigerian subsidiary, Bluecode Payments Nigeria Limited as the company formally enters the Nigerian market.

The appointment was jointly announced by Chris Pirkner, Founder of Bluecode, and Odin Krismayr, Managing Director of Bluecode Africa, who described it as a foundational governance decision for the company’s Nigerian and continental operations.

Moghalu served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, heading the Financial System Stability and Operations Directorates at different periods.

He led the team that introduced the unique-identifier Bank Verification Number (BVN), enrolling 50 million banking users, simplifying Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, and doubled Nigeria’s financial inclusion rate from 33 to 60 per cent.