Bank charges in Nigeria are generally regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The CBN sets all of the commission charge rates at fixed and others as negotiable or flexible rates within competitive bounds of profitability for financial institutions. 

Bank Charges in Nigeria :

The Central Bank of Nigeria generally releases a circular with a “Guide to charges by banks, other financial institutions and non-bank financial institutions”(Click to View).

The Guide to Bank Charges provides a basis for the application of charges on various products and services offered by banks and other regulated institutions under its purview.

---

Most Frequent Bank Charges in Nigeria

The most frequently applied bank charges to customer accounts as required by CBN regulations and guidelines are listed below.

Current / Savings Account

• Maintenance Fee – Negotiable subject to a maximum of N1 per mille (i.e. N1000) for current. No charges for savings accounts
• Outward Telegraphic/SWIFT and other transfers – Swift cost recovery, 0.5% commission on transfer plus associated offshore bank charges (where applicable)
• Commission on Withdrawals from Domiciliary Accounts (whether savings or current account) – 0.05% of transaction value or $10, whichever is lower

Electronic Banking Charges in Nigeria

• Hardware Token  – Cost recovery subject to a maximum charge of N2,500
• Software Token – One Time Password (OTP) – No Charge, However, where the OTP is sent to the customer via SMS, charges will be on cost recovery basis.
• Bills Payment (Including Bills Payment through other E-channels) – Negotiable subject to a maximum of N500per beneficiary payable by the sender
• Electronic Funds Transfer Charges
  • Below N5,000 charge  N10 
  • Within N5,001 – N50,000  charge  N25 
  • Above N50,000 charge N50

Card Maintenance Fee

• Foreign Currency Denominated Debit/Credit Cards – $10 p.a. (or its equivalent)
• Naira Debit/Credit Card 
  • Current account – No charge,  
  • Savings accounts – maximum of N50 quarterly maintenance fee
• Issuance / Replacement / Renewal Fees – N1,000
• Remote-On-Us (from other bank’s ATM) in Nigeria – maximum of N35 after the third withdrawal within the same month

ATM Transactions

• On-Us (withdrawal from issuing bank’s ATM) – No Charge
• Not On-Us (withdrawal from other bank’s ATM) in Nigeria – N35 after the third withdrawal within the same month
• International Withdrawals (per Exact cost by international acquirer (cost recovery)transaction) whether debit/credit card

Merchant Service Commission (MSC)

• General Merchant (Including Domestic, International Travels and Entertainment) – 0.50% of transaction value but not more than N1,000

Transaction Alerts

• SMS Alert (Mandatory) – Cost recovery (on customer-induced transactions) , No charge (for bank-induced transactions
• However, where a customer opts not to receive SMS alert, the customer should issue an indemnity (for losses that may arise as a result) to the bank.
• Email notification –  No charge
• Use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) – Current NIP charges apply
• Purchase with cash-back N100 per N20,000 subject to cumulative N60,000 daily withdrawal

Verification of Customers’ Documents with Government Agencies

• CAC – Cost recovery
• Certified True Copy (CTC) – Cost recovery

Cost of Cheque Books

• Cheque Books – Cost recovery
• Counter Cheque – N50 per leaflet

Cashless Policy

Individual

• Cash deposit – 2% for transactions above N500,000
• Cash withdrawal – 3% for transactions above N500,000

Corporate

• Cash deposit – 3% for transactions above N3,000,000
• Cash withdrawal – 5% for transactions above N3,000,000

Interest on Deposits

• Current Account in Credit Balance – Negotiable
• Savings Account – Minimum of 30% of MPR p.a. (not applicable if a customer makes more than 4 withdrawals in a month)
• Term Deposit Accounts –  Negotiable
• Domiciliary Accounts – Current Accounts Negotiable
• Savings Accounts – Negotiable

Penal Rate on Loans/Advances/Excess Overdraft/Credit Limit

• Naira loans and advances: Maximum of 1% flat per month of unpaid amount in addition to charging current rate of interest on outstanding debt.
• Foreign currency loans and advances: Maximum of 0.25% flat per month of unpaid amount in addition to charging current rate of interest on outstanding debt

---

Bank Charges Compliance and Accountability Standards in Nigeria

Your have a right to report poor bank services rendered, because you will be doing more service to yourself, your community and your country in shaping it into a more accountable society.

@seefinish & insights

Accountability and Responsibility by Banks

• The Executive Compliance Officers (ECO) shall monitor compliance with the requirements of this Guide and shall be held liable for any breach.
• The Head, Information Technology Division shall ensure that the name of all system related/generated/posted charges shall conform strictly to this Guide.
• The Head, Information Technology Division shall render monthly report attaching a schedule of all failed transactions on e-channels (ATM, PoS, mobile, web/internet and related channels) that originate or terminates in his bank, to the Director, Payments System Management and Consumer Protection Departments of the CBN
• Details of all fees and charges applicable to a transaction shall be disclosed to the customer at the point of consummation (where applicable).
• Transaction receipt/alert/confirmation for any charge shall contain a description of the charge.

Sanctions to Banks

• Financial Institutions are to note that any breach of the provisions of this Guide carries a penalty of N 2,000,000 per infraction or as may be determined by the CBN from time to time.
• Where a bank is found to have wrongfully imposed a particular charge on its customers, the provision of Section (i) above shall apply for the charge on each customer.
• Failure to comply with CBN’s directive in respect of any infraction shall attract a further penalty of N2,000,000 daily until the directive is complied with or as may be determined by the CBN from time to time.
• Banks are required to log every complaint received from their customers into the Consumer Complaints Management System (CCMS) and must generate a unique reference code for each complaint lodged, which must be given to the customer. Failure to log and provide the code to the customer amounts to a breach and is sanctionable with a penalty of N1,000,000 per breach.
• A penalty of N100,000 shall be imposed on a financial institution that contravenes the provisions of Part 6C.

---

Related Resources to Bank Charges in Nigeria

• Complete List Of Approved Bank Charges In Nigeria By Cbn 2022 
• The Guide To Charges By Banks, Other Financial And Non-Bank Financial Institutions
• Central Bank Nigeria – Home Page

There are numerous tax administrations in Nigeria. The taxation systems that accrue to companies, individuals, products or services in Nigeria, needs to be fully understood in other to avoid defaulting fines and penalties, also to ensure the correct customer charges and deductions are implemented.

List of Tax Systems in Nigeria

• Companies Income Tax (CIT)
• Personal Income Tax (PIT)
• Withholding Tax (WHT)
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Stamp Duty (SD)
• Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
• National Information Technology Development Levy (NITDL)
• Tertiary Education Tax (EDT)

Tax Types and Rates in Nigeria

Companies Income Tax (CIT)   

https://firs.gov.ng/companies-income-tax-cit/

• CIT is governed by Companies Income Tax Act (CITA), Cap C21, LFN 2004 (as amended)
• CIT is a tax imposed on profit of a company from all sources
• The rate of tax is 30% of total profit of a company
• Some profits are exempted from CIT provided they are not derived from trade or business activities carried out by the company e.g. Cooperative society
• Every company shall pay provisional tax not later than three (3) months from the beginning of each year of assessment which is an amount equal to the tax paid in the previous year of assessment. This is a payment on account of the year’s income tax assessment

The due date for filing returns:

• For newly incorporated companies, within eighteen (18) months from the date of incorporation or not later than six (6) months after the end of its accounting period, whichever is earlier
• For existing companies, within six (6) months from the end of the accounting year.
• A self-assessment filer may (by application) commence payment of instalment before due date but such installment cannot extend beyond two months after the due date
• Companies in operation for more than four (4) years are liable to minimum tax except those specifically exempted by the tax law

Minimum Tax under CITA arises where:

• A company makes a loss
• A company has no tax payable
• Tax payable is less than minimum tax​

Small company rates

• The CIT rate is 0% for companies with gross turnover of NGN 25 million or less.

Medium company rates

• The CIT rate is 20% for companies with gross turnover greater than NGN 25 million and less than NGN 100 million.

Large company rates 

• The CIT rate is 30% for large companies (i.e. companies with gross turnover greater than NGN 100 million)

Learn more here : 

• Nigeria Corporate – Taxes on corporate income (CIT) – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/nigeria/corporate/taxes-on-corporate-income 

Personal Income Tax (PIT)

https://firs.gov.ng/personal-income-tax-pit/

• Personal Income Tax is guided by the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8 LFN 2004 (as amended)
• The tax is imposed on income of Individuals, Corporate sole or body of individuals, Communities, Families and Trustees or Executors of any settlement- An individual is entitled to a Consolidated Relief Allowance of N200,000 or 1% of gross income whichever is higher plus 20% of gross income
• The rate of the tax ranges from 7% to 24%, depending on the amount of chargeable income- Individuals are subject to minimum tax of 1% of gross income where the income is less than N300,000 per annum
• The tax is administered by FCT/States Internal Revenue Service(IRS) in respect of their residents
• The tax is also administered by FIRS on non-residents, members of the Armed Forces, Police, Officers of Nigerian Foreign Service
• The due date for filing returns of the tax is 31st March of every year
• The due date for remittance of PAYE is 10th day of every succeeding month
• An employer shall file return of emoluments and tax deducted from the employees in the preceding year not later than 31st January of every year
• A person who fails to file a return shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000 and a further sum of N100 for every day during which the failure continues or imprisonment of six (6) months or both
• Any employer who fails to file a return, shall be liable on conviction to a penalty of N500,000 for body corporate and N50,000 in the case of individual
• Learn more here; Nigeria Individual – Taxes on personal income – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/Nigeria/Individual/Taxes-on-personal-income 

Withholding Tax (WHT)

https://firs.gov.ng/withholding-tax-wht/

• Withholding Tax (WHT) is a method used to collect Income Tax in advance
• WHT is deducted at varying rates ranging from 5% to 10% depending on the transaction
• The due date for filing WHT returns is 21st day of every succeeding month
• Penalty for late filing of returns is N25, 000 for the first month it occurs and N5, 000 for each subsequent month the failure continues

Source : PWC Nigeria Corporate – Withholding taxes – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/nigeria/corporate/withholding-taxes 

Value Added Tax (VAT)

​​https://firs.gov.ng/value-added-tax-vat/ 

• VAT is governed by Value Added Tax Act Cap V1, LFN 2004 (as amended)

• VAT is a consumption tax paid when goods are purchased and services rendered
• It is a multi-stage tax
• VAT is borne by the final consumer
• All goods and services (produced within or imported into the country) are taxable except those specifically exempted by the VAT Act
• VAT is charged at a rate of 7.5%
• Some goods and services such as non-oil exports are zero rated
• All taxable persons are required to file VAT monthly returns not later than 21st day following the month of transaction

Under the Nigerian VAT regime, three groups of taxpayers are obligated to deduct VAT at source and remit directly to the tax authority. These are:

1. Nigerian companies that are carrying on VATable transactions with non-resident companies within the country; 
2. Government ministries, statutory bodies and other agencies of government; and
3. Companies operating in the oil and gas sector.

Stamp Duty (SD)

https://firs.gov.ng/stamp-duty-sd/

• It is governed by Stamp Duties Act, CAP S8, LFN 2004 (as amended)
• It is administered on written documents only
• It is administered by both FIRS, FCT and respective States Internal Revenue

Service(IRS)

• FIRS assesses and collects duties on documents executed between a company and an individual, group or body of individuals
• FCT and States Internal Revenue Service(IRS) assess and collect duties on documents executed between persons or individuals
• A Commissioner of Stamp Duties adjudicates on the amount of duty payable on instrument (Adjudication is the process of determining the correct amount of duty payable on an instrument)

Forms of Stamp Duties

• Fixed Duties- duties that do not vary with consideration, e.g. duties on payment receipt, proxy forms, guarantor forms, etc.
• Ad-valorem- Duties that vary with consideration, e.g. duties on Share Capital, Deed of Assignment, Debenture, Bills of Exchange, etc.

• Methods of stamping: Embossing with die, Affixing adhesive stamp and Affixing postage stamp in lieu of adhesive stamp
• Duties are paid before documents are executed​

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

https://firs.gov.ng/capital-gains-tax-cgt/

• It is governed by Capital Gains Tax Act, Cap C1 LFN 2004 (as amended)
• Capital Gains Tax is charged at a flat rate of 10% of chargeable gains
• All chargeable assets are subject to Capital Gains Tax when disposed at a gain, except those specifically exempted by the Act
• Chargeable assets include all forms of property whether or not situated in Nigeria
• The due date for filing return and payment of the tax is the same as in Companies Income Tax
• Allowable expenditure for the purpose of CGT includes fees, commissions or remunerations paid for professional services and cost of transfer
• Gains exempted from CGT include those arising from disposal of decorations awarded for valour and gallant conduct, life insurance policy, Nigerian government securities, stock and shares etc.
• Gains shall not be chargeable if it accrues to some organizations provided the gain is not derived from any disposal of any asset acquired in connection with any trade carried on by the organization, e.g. An ecclesiastical, charitable or educational institution of a public character, Statutory registered friendly society, Cooperative society registered under Cooperative Societies Law of any State, Trade union registered under the Trade Unions Act.

National Information Technology Development Levy (NITDL)

https://firs.gov.ng/national-information-technology-development-levy-nitdl/

1. The Levy is governed by National Information Technology Development Agency Act, CAP N156 LFN 2004 (as amended)
2. The Levy is charged at the rate of 1% of Profit before tax
3. The Levy is charged on specified companies with turnover of N100 million and above

Companies liable to pay the Levy are:

1. GSM Service Providers and all Telecommunication Companies
2. Cyber Companies and Internet Providers
3. Pension Managers and Pension Related Companies
4. Banks and other Financial Institutions and
5. Insurance Companies

Tertiary Education Tax (EDT)

Learn more – https://firs.gov.ng/tertiary-education-tax-edt/

• It is now governed by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment, Etc.) Act 2011 Imposed on all companies registered in Nigeria
• The rate of the tax is 2% of assessable profit
• The due date for filing returns is the same as that of CIT and PPT
• The tax is an allowable deduction in computing the assessable profits of companies engaged in petroleum operations(Upstream)
• Funds derived from the tax are used for rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of tertiary education in Nigeria by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND)
• The amount in the Fund is distributed between Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the ratio 2:1:1 respectively
• First offence against the Act is liable on conviction to a fine of N1, 000,000 or a term of 6 months imprisonment or both. Second and subsequent offences attract a fine of N2, 000,000 or a term of 12 months or both.

Other Sub-types Tax and Rates 

Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT)

This is a tax on income of companies engaged in upstream petroleum operations while tax to be charged is on the profits of each accounting period of a company and shall be taken to be the aggregate of adjusted profit, assessable profits and chargeable profits.

The Profit Petroleum Tax rates are as follows:

• 50% for petroleum operations under production sharing contracts (PSC) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

• 65.75% for non-PSC operations, including joint ventures (JVs), in the first five years during which the company has not fully amortised all pre-production capitalised expenditure.
• 85% for non-PSC operations after the first five years.
• Upstream gas profits are taxed at 30%.

Tenement Rate

These rates are property taxes paid by landlords or occupiers of a building payable to local government Councils as part of their internally generated revenue. It is a consolidation of ground rent and neighborhood improvement levy. The applicable formula provided by the reviewed law.

Some know levies payable to the state give rise to a total levy of 3% of the fair value of the land;

• Consent fee
• Land registration fee
• Right of Occupancy fee and
• Tenement rates are chargeable by state and local government authorities.

Tax Types Most Important to MSME

• VAT – Value Added Tax (7.5%) – Charged to final consumers of goods or services (i.e from company or individual)
• WHT – Withholding Tax (5-10%) – A method used to collect Income Tax in advance from your company(10%) or individual(5%) services or product supplies.

• CIT – Companies Income Tax (30%) – a tax imposed on profit of a company from all sources, companies with gross turnover greater than NGN 25 – 100 million above)
• PIT – Personal Income Tax (7 – 24%, 1% of Gross) – a tax imposed on income of Individuals, Corporate sole or body of individuals, Communities, Families and Trustees or Executors of any settlement

How to File and Pay Tax in Nigeria 

To pay tax in Nigeria you either visit and FIRS offices location in any state or use their digital platforms

• FIRS Tax Administration Solution – Taxpro Max –  https://taxpromax.firs.gov.ng/ 

Tax Terminologies and Definitions

Income 

• The amount of money or its equivalent received during a period of time in exchange for labor or services, from the sale of goods or property, or as profit from financial investments.
• ​​In Economics – The amount of monetary or other returns, either earned or unearned, accruing over a given period of time. 
• In Commerce – The receipts; revenue.

Significant Economic Presence (SEP) – 

https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/nigeria/corporate/taxes-on-corporate-income

• Derives income of NGN 25 million or equivalent in other currencies from Nigeria in a year
• Uses a Nigerian domain name (.ng) or registers a website address in Nigeria, or
• Has purposeful and sustained interactions with persons in Nigeria by customizing its digital platform to target persons in Nigeria (e.g. by stating the prices of its products or services in Naira).

Related Resources for Tax in Nigeria

• FIRS – Tax Types / Rates – https://firs.gov.ng/
• FIRS Tax Administration Solution – Taxpro Max –  https://taxpromax.firs.gov.ng/ 
• Nigeria Corporate – Withholding taxes – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/nigeria/corporate/withholding-taxes 
• Nigeria Corporate – Taxes on corporate income (CIT) – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/nigeria/corporate/taxes-on-corporate-income 
• Nigeria Individual – Income determination – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/Nigeria/Individual/Income-determination
• Nigeria Overview and Tax Summaries – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/nigeria 
• Nigeria Corporate/Companies Tax Summaries  and Updates – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/nigeria/corporate/significant-developments 
• Nigeria Individual Tax Summaries and Updates – https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/nigeria/individual/significant-developments 
• List of Taxes In Nigeria – https://pml.com.ng/list-of-taxes-in-nigeria/

Back to Page Top