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| L – R: Head, Central Collections Unit, Olaide Adeyemo; Executive Director -FCT & North, Sufiyanu Garba; and Regional Bank Head, Abuja 3 Regional Bank, Martin Ayodele (all of Fidelity Bank Plc); at the Comptroller General of Customs Award Night 2025 in Abuja where Fidelity Bank PLC was recognized as the first bank to successfully process Customs Duty and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) on the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) recently. |
Fidelity Bank Plc has added another major milestone to its growing list of accomplishments as the leading financial institution was honoured at the Comptroller General of Customs Award Night 2025 for its outstanding contribution to Nigeria’s trade facilitation and digital transformation.
The award ceremony, held on Friday, 21 November 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, saw the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi (MFR), present Fidelity Bank with a distinguished honour for being the first bank to successfully process Customs Duty and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) on the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS).
The recognition highlights 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, FCT & North, Mr. Sufiyanu Garba, expressed deep appreciation, stating:
“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.”
Fidelity Bank’s early and successful adoption of the UCMS aligns with its broader vision of enabling seamless cross-border trade in Africa. Earlier this year, the bank officially launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) after recording over N46 billion in early transactions. PAPSS facilitates instant, local-currency cross-border payments, particularly enhancing trade for SMEs and reducing long-standing payment bottlenecks across the continent.
The recognition from the Nigeria Customs Service follows a remarkable year for the bank. In 2025 alone, Fidelity Bank clinched the titles of “Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance” and “Most Innovative Bank of the Year” at the BusinessDay Bank and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. These awards reinforce the bank’s leadership in innovation, business support, and economic advancement.
One of Nigeria’s most trusted financial institutions, Fidelity Bank Plc serves over 9.1 million customers through a robust network of digital channels, 255 business offices nationwide, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank continues to earn recognition both locally and globally for excellence in digital transformation, SME banking, mobile banking innovation, and export finance.
With this latest Customs Service Award, Fidelity Bank further cements its role as a driving force in the modernization of Nigeria’s trade processes and a strong partner in supporting the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda.