From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), has announced the implementation of a unified Taxpayer Identification (Tax ID) system aimed at strengthening tax administration and improving service delivery across the country.
In a public notice issued in Abuja on Monday, the agencies said the initiative was introduced in line with Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, which mandates every taxable person in Nigeria to obtain a Tax ID.
According to the notice dated May 18, 2026, the new Tax ID system is designed to create a single, harmonised identity for taxpayers nationwide, enabling seamless interaction with tax authorities at both federal and sub-national levels.
The agencies explained that the initiative forms part of ongoing reforms targeted at improving transparency, simplifying tax processes, enhancing accountability, and reducing leakages within the nation’s tax administration framework.
Under the new arrangement, the Tax ID will consolidate taxpayer records into a unified database, eliminate duplication of records, and ensure more efficient management of tax-related information.
The NRS and JRB highlighted several benefits expected from the implementation of the system, including simplified registration, filing, and payment of taxes, improved visibility and tracking of taxpayer records, enhanced revenue assurance, and harmonisation of taxpayer information across all tiers of government.
They added that the reform would also support better coordination between federal and state tax authorities while making tax compliance easier for individuals, enterprises, and businesses.
The notice further stated that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), financial institutions, and organisations currently utilising the existing Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Validation API would now transition to the newly introduced Tax ID system.
To facilitate a smooth migration process, organisations requiring integration or validation services for individuals, enterprises, and business names were directed to contact the Standardisation and Modernisation Department of the JRB, while corporate entities were advised to liaise with the Tax Automation Department of the NRS for access to the Tax ID API and related integration guidelines.
