Nigerians Praise New Digital Tax ID Portal as “Quick and Easy”
By Patience Ikpeme
Millions of Nigerians have started using the new national Tax ID portal, with many describing the digital system as fast and simple to navigate. The platform, which went live on January 1, 2026, serves as a single central database for every taxpayer in the country.
The portal is managed by the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). It allows ordinary citizens to get their unique 13-digit Tax ID using just their National Identity Number (NIN). Business owners can also get theirs by using their registration numbers from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
A recent survey conducted across social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and X showed that over 98 percent of people who used the site had a smooth experience. Many users reported that the process takes less than a minute to complete from the comfort of their homes.
One taxpayer in Abuja, Amina Yahaya, shared her excitement after using the system. “The process was very seamless. It didn’t take up to 10 seconds after I inputted my NIN details when my Tax ID popped up on the screen. I want to commend the board because this is seamless. I will tell my friends and colleagues to retrieve their Tax ID,” she said.
Another user from Lagos, Oyedemi Jide, called the portal “simple and easy to use,” while businesses like Trinity Music Academy described the speed of the service as “amazing.”
The Executive Secretary of the JRB, Olusegun Adesokan, told reporters that the system was built so that people could serve themselves without needing to visit a government office. He also took the opportunity to clear the air regarding rumors that the new Tax ID would allow the government to take money directly from people’s bank accounts.
“Now, it is obvious that the speculations that monies will be deducted arbitrarily from people’s bank account from 1st January 2026, was unfounded. It is also obvious that the rumour about automatic taxation of people’s money once they get a Tax ID is also false,” Adesokan said.
He thanked Nigerians for not listening to negative propaganda and explained that the new tax laws are actually designed to help the economy grow while protecting those who do not earn much money.
“Let me reiterate that the tax reforms were well-conceived and they are pro-poor and pro-growth. The reforms have provided a lot of incentives for low-income earners and all categories of taxpayers and businesses,” he added.
Government officials say that bringing all taxpayer information into one secure database will help stop the confusion of having different tax numbers for different states. They assured the public that all personal information on the portal is protected by strong data security laws to keep hackers away.
The board is now calling on all Nigerians and business owners who have not yet checked their Tax IDs to visit the official portal and do so as soon as possible to stay on the right side of the law.
