Ikeja Electric Clarifies Directive on Tax ID and NIN Submission for Customers
Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) has issued a clarification regarding its recent directive that requested customers to submit their Tax Identification Number (TIN) and National Identification Number (NIN). The company has now specified that this requirement applies exclusively to corporate customers, vendors, and strategic business partners, and does not affect individual or residential customers.
Background of the Directive
On February 11, 2026, IKEDC issued a notice asking customers to submit their tax identification details by February 20, 2026. The initial warning stated that failure to comply could result in issues with billing and potential service suspension. This move was framed as a compliance measure under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, which mandates that all invoices, including electricity bills, contain verifiable identification numbers for tax and audit purposes.
In a follow-up statement released on Friday, IKEDC emphasized that the data update exercise is strictly for business-to-business (B2B) customers, as well as its vendors and partners. The company explained that this is driven by compliance obligations under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and aims to strengthen internal know-your-customer (KYC) and know-your-business (KYB) risk management processes.
Compliance and Implementation Details
IKEDC detailed that under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, supplier invoices must include prescribed details such as the company's Tax Identification Number and Corporate Affairs Commission registration number. The implementation framework requires invoices to be uploaded and validated on the Nigeria Revenue Service portal, where the customer's TIN becomes a mandatory field for processing and verification.
The company assured affected corporate customers that the data validation process would be seamless and would not disrupt electricity supply. However, it reiterated that corporate entities who fail to submit their identification details by the February 20 deadline may face power disruption, as clarified from the earlier notice.
Reactions and Industry Context
Reacting to concerns about the short notice, IKEDC acknowledged that the February 20 deadline is near but stated that the timeline is determined by statutory requirements under the new tax law. Industry analysts note that this move reflects a broader implementation phase of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, with utility companies playing a key role in ensuring compliance across sectors.
This clarification comes amid previous accusations against IKEDC for consumer rights violations. The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had sealed the distribution company's headquarters over alleged non-compliance with directives from regulatory bodies. IKEDC has denied these allegations and continues to focus on meeting its legal obligations under the new tax regulations.
Overall, IKEDC's directive highlights the increasing regulatory demands on businesses in Nigeria, particularly in the energy sector, as the government enforces stricter tax compliance measures to enhance revenue collection and transparency.
