The Federal Government is set to roll out major changes in 2026, including a ban on cash for all federal fees, the introduction of a new revenue service, and a trade portal overhaul. These moves, effective January 1, aim to plug financial leaks, speed up services, and push every citizen and business into the digital lane—no exceptions.
The most significant shift affects revenue collection. Starting in 2026, no federal agency will accept cash for payments—whether for passports, driver’s licenses, customs duties, or regulatory fees. All payments must be made via bank transfers, mobile apps, or online portals. This cashless government payments rule builds on the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system and integrates with the new Revenue Optimisation Platform (RevOp), which will track every kobo flowing into Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in real-time. RevOp links banks, the TSA, and financial systems to spot and stop leakages immediately. Any agency found mismanaging funds will be flagged for an automatic audit.
Taxation also undergoes a major transformation. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will cease to exist on December 31, 2025, and will be replaced by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) from January 1, 2026. The NRS law, signed by President Bola Tinubu in October 2025, consolidates all federal tax functions under one roof. The new system will reduce overlap, simplify compliance, and improve tax collection without raising rates. Individuals and companies are required to update their details on the new NRS portal before filing 2026 returns. Taiwo Oyedele, committee chairman, emphasized that the changes are designed to make compliance easier while maximizing tax revenues.
Trade and customs procedures are getting an upgrade with the National Single Window (NSW), which will go live by March 2026. This platform, managed by a steering committee under the Ministry of Finance, will allow importers and exporters to clear goods through one online portal, eliminating the need to deal with multiple agencies like the NPA, Customs, Standards Organisation, and NAFDAC. Paper forms will be phased out, and digital signatures and pre-arrival declarations will become mandatory. Early tests at Apapa and Tin Can ports have already reduced clearance times from 12 days to under 48 hours. Businesses must register on the NSW portal by February 28, 2026, to avoid delays in cargo processing.
Digital public services will also be streamlined with the launch of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) in Q1 2026. DPI will serve as the backbone for e-government services, allowing Nigerians to apply for their NIN, passport, or tax clearance from their phones with a single login. NGDX will enable government agencies to securely share verified data, reducing the need for individuals to physically carry documents from office to office. Your BVN, NIN, and voter’s card will be linked automatically for identity verification, making interactions with government services faster and more efficient.
Budget discipline will be tighter in 2026 as the government rolls over 70% of the 2025 capital budget, focusing on completing ongoing projects in roads, railways, and security. Finance Minister Wale Edun informed the National Assembly on December 9 that this strategy will concentrate resources on finishing existing infrastructure rather than starting new projects. Only critical new projects in health, education, and power will be approved. Any padded budget figures submitted by MDAs will be rejected.
These sweeping policy changes mark Nigeria’s most ambitious push yet into digital governance. Cash handlers, paper pushers, and tax dodgers have less than three weeks to adapt.
While the government acknowledges that the transition may cause temporary disruptions, it assures that the long-term benefits of better services, reduced corruption, and accelerated growth will be worth the effort.
