The Nigerian Army has directed all serving personnel to submit their National Identification Numbers (NINs) as part of a new compliance process tied to ongoing tax reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The directive is aimed at properly capturing military personnel within the national tax framework while ensuring that eligible officers and soldiers benefit from statutory tax exemptions.

The development was communicated through internal circulars across military formations, instructing officers and enlisted personnel to promptly submit their NIN details through designated administrative channels. According to sources familiar with the directive, the exercise is part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to harmonise personnel data across agencies and eliminate discrepancies in tax records.

Under existing Nigerian tax laws, members of the armed forces are exempt from personal income tax. However, authorities say the exemption must now be properly documented within the national identification and tax systems to prevent errors, leakages, or wrongful deductions.

Officials explained that linking military records with NINs allows the government to clearly distinguish tax-exempt security personnel from other public sector workers as Nigeria rolls out stricter tax compliance measures. The move aligns with President Tinubu’s fiscal reforms, which emphasise data integration, transparency, and efficiency in revenue administration.

The directive is also expected to support ongoing efforts to clean up government payroll systems, especially amid concerns about ghost workers and inaccurate personnel data across ministries and agencies.

Senior military sources stressed that the exercise does not introduce any new tax obligations for soldiers. Instead, it is designed to protect them from being inadvertently captured in automated tax deduction systems being expanded nationwide.

Within the ranks, reactions have been largely cautious but understanding. Some personnel welcomed the move, saying it would help prevent administrative confusion and safeguard their entitlements. Others expressed concern over data security and how personal information would be handled, especially given Nigeria’s ongoing digital transition across government systems.

On social media, Nigerians have also weighed in on the development. While many acknowledged the importance of accurate data and accountability, others questioned whether the government would maintain the tax-exempt status of military personnel amid its aggressive revenue drive.

Some commentators praised the move as a necessary step in modernising public administration, while critics warned that reforms must not place additional bureaucratic pressure on security agencies already stretched by operational demands.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has placed tax reform at the centre of its economic strategy, with a focus on widening the tax net, improving compliance, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on borrowing. The reforms include digital tax systems, harmonisation of taxpayer databases, and clearer enforcement of exemptions and incentives.

By requiring NIN submission, the government aims to build a more accurate and reliable database that reflects who should pay taxes and who is legally exempt. Analysts say this approach could reduce disputes, ensure fairness, and improve trust in the tax system if implemented transparently.

For the Nigerian Army, the exercise also underscores the increasing role of digital identity in public service administration. With NIN now required for banking, telecommunications, pensions, and social services, its integration into military records is seen as inevitable.

As the submission process continues, military authorities have urged personnel to comply promptly to avoid delays or administrative complications. The Army also reassured its members that the initiative is strictly for documentation purposes and does not alter their existing tax-exempt status.