Nigeria’s Tax-ID Gains Global Recognition as FIRS Becomes Peppol Authority

Nigeria has recorded a landmark achievement in its digital trade transformation with the global registration of its Tax Identification Number (Tax-ID) and the approval of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the nation’s official Peppol Authority.

This milestone, achieved with support from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), registers Nigeria’s Tax-ID under the ISO/IEC 6523 International Coding System. It ensures that Nigerian individuals and businesses gain international recognition in cross-border transactions.

Peppol — a globally recognized framework for the secure, standardized exchange of electronic documents — is already operational in Europe, Asia, and Australia. With FIRS now serving as Nigeria’s Peppol Authority, Nigerian businesses can integrate seamlessly into the system, benefiting from faster payments, reduced administrative costs, and stronger global competitiveness.

According to FIRS, the initiative will boost investor confidence while easing taxpayer compliance. “This milestone simplifies compliance for taxpayers, enables smoother cross-border transactions, and strengthens confidence in Nigeria as a global trade and investment hub,” the agency said.

Under the new framework, Tax-IDs generated using individuals’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) and businesses’ Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) numbers will now be internationally referenceable. This move eliminates duplication, reduces administrative errors, and unifies Tax-IDs across federal and state levels.

In addition, FIRS has rolled out the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS) e-invoicing platform. Large taxpayers are required to integrate with the platform by November 1, 2025, while medium and small businesses will join in phases. Companies are urged to validate their Tax-IDs, update their accounting systems, and onboard promptly.

“The launch of MBS is a significant step in simplifying tax administration, closing compliance gaps, and positioning Nigeria to meet global standards in taxation and cross-border trade,” FIRS added.