Fidelity Bank has been recognised by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its pioneering role in the implementation of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), reinforcing its reputation for digital leadership and strong public-sector collaboration.
The tier-one lender received the award at the 2025 Comptroller General of Customs Award Night held on Friday, 21 November, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The bank was honoured for becoming the first financial institution to successfully process Customs Duty and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) through the UCMS platform.
The award, presented under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi (MFR), acknowledged Fidelity Bank’s “distinctive performance and commitment to the ideals and vision of the Nigeria Customs Service.”
Accepting the honour on behalf of the bank, Executive Director, FCT & North, Sufiyanu Garba, said the recognition reflects Fidelity Bank’s drive for operational excellence and its support for Nigeria’s digital trade reforms.
“This award affirms our dedication to innovation and our resolve to support the digital transformation of Nigeria’s trade and customs ecosystem. We are pleased to play a key role in this historic milestone and we remain focused on delivering solutions that contribute to national economic growth,” Garba said.
Fidelity Bank’s early adoption of UCMS aligns with its broader vision of promoting seamless, borderless trade across Africa. Earlier in the year, the bank launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) after recording over N46 billion in initial transactions. The platform enables instant cross-border payments in local currencies and is designed to support small and medium-scale enterprises across the continent.
With PAPSS now integrated into its core operations, the bank continues to remove trade barriers, expand financial inclusion and strengthen business growth across Africa.
The latest Customs Service recognition adds to Fidelity Bank’s growing list of accolades in 2025. The lender recently won “Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance” and “Most Innovative Bank of the Year” at the BusinessDay Bank and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. These honours highlight the bank’s role in innovation, business support and Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Fidelity Bank Plc ranks among Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, serving over 9.1 million customers through its digital platforms, 255 business offices nationwide and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank has also received several local and international awards for excellence in digital banking, MSME support and investment services.
