Fidelity Bank Honoured by Nigeria Customs Service for Leading UCMS Adoption

Fidelity Bank Honoured by Nigeria Customs Service for Leading UCMS Adoption

Fidelity Bank has received national recognition for its pioneering role in digital customs processing as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) honoured the financial institution at the 2025 Comptroller General of Customs Award Night.

The event, held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom, Abuja, celebrated outstanding partners of the NCS. Fidelity Bank was presented with a distinguished award for being the first bank to successfully process Customs Duty and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) on the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS).

Under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adeniyi (MFR), the award recognised Fidelity Bank’s “Distinctive Performance and Commitment to the Ideals and Vision of the Nigeria Customs Service,” particularly in advancing digital, secure, and transparent trade processes.

Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, Executive Director for FCT & North, Mr. Sufiyanu Garba, noted that the milestone underscores Fidelity Bank’s role in modernizing Nigeria’s trade environment.

“This award is a testament to our commitment to operational excellence and our resolve to support the digital transformation of Nigeria’s trade and customs ecosystem. We are proud to be at the forefront of this historic milestone and remain dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that drive Nigeria’s economic development,” Garba said.

Fidelity Bank’s swift implementation of the UCMS aligns with its broader strategy to power seamless, borderless commerce across Africa. Earlier in the year, the bank activated the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) after a successful onboarding, recording more than ₦46 billion in early cross-border transactions. PAPSS enables instant settlement in local currencies across African markets, easing trade friction for SMEs and regional enterprises.

The award adds to a string of major achievements for Fidelity Bank in 2025, including its double win at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards as “Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance” and “Most Innovative Bank of the Year.” These recognitions highlight the bank’s growing influence in supporting businesses, driving digital advancement, and boosting Africa’s trade landscape. The Customs Service recognition further reinforces Fidelity’s position as a key partner in the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda.

Ranked among Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-service commercial bank serving over 9.1 million customers through its digital platforms, 255 business offices nationwide, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank is a recipient of numerous local and global honors, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award from the BusinessDay BAFI Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application Award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook; and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider Award by Global Brands Magazine. It was also named Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by Euromoney Awards for Excellence and Export Financing Bank of the Year by BAFI Awards.

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