Crypto Taxation in Nigeria: What You Need to Know Before 2026

30 October 2025

Starting January 1, 2026, every Nigerian who trades, sells, or earns cryptocurrency will be legally required to pay taxes on it. This isn’t a warning or a suggestion-it’s the law. The Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA 2025) officially brought crypto under the tax net, ending years of ambiguity. If you’ve been holding Bitcoin, trading Ethereum, or getting paid in USDT, you need to understand what this means for you now.

What’s Actually Taxable?

It’s not just about selling crypto for naira. The NTA 2025 defines several taxable events:

• Selling crypto for fiat currency (like Naira or USD)
• Trading one cryptocurrency for another (BTC to ETH, for example)
• Using crypto to buy goods or services
• Receiving crypto as payment for work or services
• Earning staking rewards, mining income, or airdrops

Each of these counts as a disposal or acquisition, triggering capital gains tax. If you bought 0.5 BTC for ₦1.5 million in 2023 and sold it for ₦4 million in 2026, you owe tax on the ₦2.5 million profit. Same if you traded that BTC for ETH and the ETH later rose in value. The tax applies to the gain, not the total amount.

Who’s Responsible?

The law applies to everyone-individuals, freelancers, small businesses, and large companies. If you’re an employee paid in crypto, your employer must report that as income. If you run a crypto business, you’re now classified as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) and must be licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Before December 2023, Nigerian banks couldn’t touch crypto businesses. Now, they can. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued new VASP guidelines that allow banks to open accounts for licensed exchanges like Busha, Luno, and Paxful Nigeria. This change wasn’t made to make life easier for users-it was made so the government can track money. Every transaction through a licensed exchange leaves a digital trail. Offshore platforms like Binance and KuCoin are still blocked, and using them increases your risk of being flagged.

How It’s Enforced

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) now has direct access to transaction data from licensed VASPs. They’re using automated systems to match wallet addresses with taxpayer IDs. If you’ve made more than ₦500,000 in crypto transactions in a year and haven’t filed, you’re already on their radar.

Penalties are steep. Late filing? A 10% surcharge on the tax due. Underreporting? Up to 200% of the unpaid tax. Intentional evasion? Criminal charges, asset freezes, and possible jail time. The government isn’t just collecting taxes-they’re building a legal framework to punish non-compliance.

What Businesses Must Do

If you run a business that accepts crypto, you can’t just keep a spreadsheet anymore. You need:

• A registered company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
• A VASP license from the SEC
• Accounting software that tracks crypto cost basis, dates, and fair market values
• A tax advisor familiar with digital assets

Many Nigerian startups thought they could avoid taxes by paying contractors in crypto. That’s no longer an option. Paying someone ₦200,000 in USDT is the same as paying in cash-you must withhold PAYE, report it, and issue a tax receipt. The same rules apply to salaries, commissions, and freelance payments.

What Individuals Should Do Now

You don’t have to panic, but you do need to act before January 2026:

1. Track all your crypto transactions-buy, sell, trade, earn. Use a tool like Koinly or CoinTracker to auto-import data from exchanges.
2. Calculate your cost basis for each asset. That’s the original price you paid, including fees.
3. Separate your crypto holdings from personal accounts. Use a dedicated wallet for trading.
4. File your first crypto tax return in March 2027 (for 2026 income). Don’t wait until the last minute.
5. Consult a tax professional who’s trained in Nigerian crypto law. Most accountants still don’t know how to handle this.

Don’t assume you’re safe because you didn’t cash out. If you used crypto to pay for a laptop, a flight, or rent, that’s a taxable event. The value of the crypto at the time of the transaction becomes your sale price.

What’s Not Taxed (Yet)

There’s one gray area: holding crypto without selling or spending it. If you bought Bitcoin in 2021 and haven’t touched it since, you don’t owe anything yet. But the government is watching. The NTA 2025 includes provisions for future wealth taxes on digital assets held over five years. That’s not active now-but it’s on the table.

Why This Matters Beyond Taxes

This isn’t just about revenue. Nigeria is trying to attract legitimate crypto businesses and investors. By creating clear rules, they’re signaling to global firms that Nigeria is open for business-if you play by the rules. The SEC-approved exchanges are now safer, more transparent, and more reliable. That means better security for users and more trust in the system.

It also means Nigeria is aligning with global standards. Countries like the U.S., UK, Germany, and Singapore all tax crypto the same way: as property. Nigeria is catching up. That’s good news for anyone planning to expand internationally or work with global clients.

What Happens If You Ignore It?

Some people think they can disappear into the DeFi world and avoid detection. They can’t. Even if you use a non-custodial wallet, your transaction history is public on the blockchain. The FIRS doesn’t need your password-they just need your wallet address and a few months of data. If you’ve ever linked that wallet to a licensed exchange (even once), your identity is tied to it.

Enforcement starts in 2026, but audits will go back to 2023. If you traded crypto between 2023 and 2025 and didn’t report it, you can still file an amended return. Voluntary disclosure reduces penalties by up to 70%. Waiting? That’s when the fines hit hard.

Where to Get Help

There are now specialized tax firms in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt that focus on crypto compliance. Look for firms that are certified by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and have experience with digital assets. Don’t go to your uncle’s accounting firm unless they’ve taken the SEC’s VASP Compliance Training.

The SEC also offers free webinars for taxpayers and businesses. Check their website regularly-updates come fast. And remember: ignorance is not a defense. The law is clear. The tools are available. The deadline is coming.

Final Thought

Crypto isn’t illegal in Nigeria anymore. But it’s no longer tax-free either. The days of treating it like a side hustle you can ignore are over. Whether you’re a trader, a miner, a freelancer, or a business owner, your crypto activity is now part of your financial identity. The government isn’t trying to crush crypto-they’re trying to bring it into the light. Your job? Stay compliant, stay informed, and don’t let fear stop you from participating. Just don’t forget to pay your share.