Fidelity Bank Issues Notice on Account Restrictions for Customers Without Tax ID

Fidelity Bank has alerted customers that some bank accounts may face transaction limits from 1 January 2026. The warning targets accounts that are not linked to a Tax Identification Number or a National Identity Number.

The bank shared the notice directly with customers this week. It cited provisions of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act 2025 as the legal basis for the planned action. According to the message, every bank account must be tied to a tax ID.

However, customers without a tax ID can link their NIN instead.“The Nigerian Tax Identification Act (NTAA) 2025 stipulates that all bank accounts are required to be linked to a tax ID or National Identity Number—NIN,” the notice stated. It added that the law takes effect on 1 January 2026. “Accounts without tax ID or national identity number may be restricted from transacting,” the bank warned.

Why Fidelity Bank is Acting Now

The Fidelity Bank TIN notice follows a broader shift in Nigeria’s tax enforcement plans. The Federal Government has already confirmed that banks will begin stricter compliance checks in 2026. The aim is to widen the country’s tax net and improve record keeping across the financial system.

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, recently explained the policy direction. He said the rule is backed by Section 4 of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act. “A taxable person is anyone who earns income through trade, business, or any economic activity. So banks must request a tax ID from taxable persons,” he said.

Although the requirement first appeared in the 2020 Finance Act, enforcement remained weak. Oyedele noted that the NTAA now gives regulators the authority to apply the rule across all banks. As a result, institutions like Fidelity Bank are moving early to alert customers.

For account holders, the message is simple. Those who earn taxable income must ensure their accounts are properly linked before the 2026 deadline. Failure to do so could affect access to everyday banking services.