Fidelity Bank Honoured by Nigeria Customs Service for Leadership in UCMS Implementation

Fidelity Bank’s reputation for digital innovation and strategic public-sector collaboration was further reinforced as the tier-one institution received a distinguished award at the 2025 Comptroller General of Customs Award Night.

The ceremony, held on Friday, 21 November 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom, Abuja, saw the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recognise Fidelity Bank as the first financial institution to successfully process Customs Duty payments and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) on the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS).

Presented under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi (MFR), the award acknowledges the bank’s “Distinctive Performance and Commitment to the Ideals and Vision of the Nigeria Customs Service.”

Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, the Executive Director for FCT & North, Mr. Sufiyanu Garba, described the recognition as a validation of the bank’s long-standing commitment to excellence and national development.

“This award underscores our dedication to operational efficiency and our unwavering support for the digital transformation of Nigeria’s trade and customs ecosystem. We are honoured to pioneer this historic achievement and remain committed to delivering solutions that enhance trade, strengthen institutions, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.

Fidelity Bank’s swift and seamless adoption of the UCMS aligns with its broader vision of enabling a frictionless African trade environment. Earlier in 2025, the bank launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) after successfully onboarding the platform and processing more than ₦46 billion in transactions. PAPSS facilitates instant, local-currency cross-border payments across Africa, providing significant benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By integrating PAPSS into its operations, Fidelity Bank continues to remove trade barriers, strengthen regional commerce, and expand economic opportunities across the continent.

The recognition by the NCS adds to the bank’s impressive list of achievements in 2025, including its double win as “Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance” and “Most Innovative Bank of the Year” at the BusinessDay Bank and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. These and other accolades highlight Fidelity Bank’s role in empowering businesses, driving digital innovation, and supporting Nigeria’s broader economic transformation agenda.

Fidelity Bank Plc is ranked among Nigeria’s leading commercial banks and serves more than 9.1 million customers through diverse digital channels, 255 business offices across Nigeria, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank is also the recipient of several local and international honours, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay BAFI Awards; Global Business Outlook’s 2024 award for “Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application” for the Fidelity Mobile App; and the 2024 award for “Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider” by Global Brands Magazine. Fidelity Bank was also named “Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria” by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and “Export Financing Bank of the Year” at the BusinessDay BAFI Awards.