NIN, TIN Harmonisation to Fight Tax Evasion – Minister

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stressed the importance of harmonizing the National Identification Number (NIN) and the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to combat tax evasion in the country.

Tunji-Ojo made this statement in his office during a recent meeting with the Secretary of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Olusegun Adesokan.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation signed by Director Press and Public Relations, Ozoya Imohimi, on Sunday, the minister expressed concern about tax evasion.

He remarked, "If we can technologically merge our NIN and TIN into one number, it will become more difficult for people to evade taxes.

The collaboration between the Joint Tax Board and the Nigeria Immigration Service should be seamless. With better coordination, significant progress can be made."

"The Secretary of JTB emphasized that the NIN of Nigerians should serve as the unique security identifier, providing access to tax status and all relevant information. He also urged the JTB to develop solutions for harmonizing data and identity systems."

During his visit to the Ministry, the Secretary of JTB expressed his intention to collaborate more closely with the ministry, enhance capacity building with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and begin discussions on expatriate data and expatriate tax issues.

In September 2023, the minister had pledged that the federal government would invest in harmonizing the country's data through the NIMC, ensuring an end to multiple ID registrations.

According to his Media Adviser, Babatunde Alao, Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for a central hub for interior data. He highlighted the importance of a large data center to store all identity information and stressed the key role of data harmonization. 

Tunji-Ojo also emphasized that the success of the Ministry of Interior hinges on the success of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and called for the restoration of integrity in travel documents through data harmonization.