E-Financial
NQR Payment Solution’ll Encourage Contactless Payments – Ecobank MD
Patrick Akinwuntan, managing director, Ecobank Nigeria, has said that the introduction of the Nigeria Quick Response (NQR), code payment solution by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), is strategic and timely as it will encourage contactless payments while also aligning to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s goal to drive a cashless economy.
Patrick Akinwuntan, managing director, Ecobank Nigeria
Akinwuntan, while congratulating NIBSS said that Nigerian digital payment is aligning with global standards as consumers, business owners and financial services providers will benefit from the innovative payment platform.
NIBSS had announced the launch of the NQR payment solution, which is an innovative payment platform implemented on behalf of all financial service providers. The NQR code solution offers a robust platform that delivers instant value for Person to Business (P2B) and Person to Person ( P2P) transactions by simply scanning to pay. It is a solution that will unify the available closed QR Code schemes in the country for consistent user experience and accelerated digital adoption.
According to him, “The Nigerian digital payment space has been evolving over the years in response to global payment trends and with this comes an increasing demand of alternative means of payment digitally as customers and merchants alike move towards technology driven solutions. The adoption of QR payments across the world is a testimony to QR being the future of digital payments.”
He noted that Ecobank has been on the forefront of the QR digital payment solution in Nigeria. “. Ecobank is delighted to be among the first few banks in Nigeria to bring this solution to its customers. We have recently integrated with the NQR payment solution because we believe this will enhance interoperability with existing QR schemes and promote consistent user experience. I say a big congratulation to NIBSS.”
Nigeria’s financial services industry witnessed a significant shift with the formal launching of the NQR payment solution by NIBSS last week. The event conducted in a hybrid format (virtual and physical following COVID 19 protocols) brought together stakeholders in the financial services, technology industry, regulators, and policymakers.
At the launch, Aishah Ahmad, deputy governor, Financial Systems Stability, CBN and chairman, NIBSS, commended the NIBSS team for this trailblazing achievement.
She stated that “the CBN as regulator of the banking and payment system in Nigeria is committed to providing an enabling regulatory environment that ensures interoperability, proper market conduct and continued innovation within the financial services ecosystem to foster healthy competition, high-quality service and financial inclusion.
Against this background, the apex bank recently released of the Regulatory Framework for Sandbox Operations in Nigeria and the Guidelines on Open Banking with the objective of opening up the terrain for more transformative ideas and encouraging start-up companies to grow and contribute to the overall economic development in Nigeria”.
On his part, Premier Oiwoh, chief executive of NIBSS, said “with more people being able to pay for goods and services with just their smartphones, the ‘NQR Payment is about re-creating the Nigerian payment experience whilst deepening financial inclusion in the country.”
“Digital transactions supported through the NQR code payments will promote and enhance consumer payment experience while driving growth for business owners.”
The NIBSS NQR code, according to stakeholders would transform the landscape of the Nigerian payment ecosystem and improve areas like micropayments that would have a positive impact on merchants and businesses.
The NQR payment solution implemented on behalf of financial services providers would unify the available closed QR Code schemes in the country.
The Senate on Wednesday adopted the harmonised conference committee report on the four tax reform bills.
The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and approval of the recommendations of the conference committee of both chambers set up to harmonize the Bills.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and leader of the Senate delegation in the conference committee, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, presented the report.
The four tax reforms Bills which were transmitted to the National Assembly in November last year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu include: The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 583); Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 584); Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2025 (SB. 585); and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2025 (SB. 586).
In recognition of its exceptional contributions to innovative financial solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Fidelity Bank Plc has been awarded the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank (DMB) category.
This prestigious accolade celebrates Fidelity Bank’s commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by MSMEs, a vital segment in Nigeria’s economic growth.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, commented on the award, reaffirming the bank’s dedication to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs: “At Fidelity Bank, innovation is at the heart of our strategy to support MSMEs.
“This recognition underscores our commitment to developing scalable, inclusive, and technology-driven financial solutions that create positive outcomes for our nation’s entrepreneurs. We are honored to receive the DBN award and dedicate it to our loyal customers for their continued support.”
The award was presented at the 2025 Service Ambassadors’ Awards ceremony in Lagos, themed ‘Enhancing Partnership for MSME Resilience and Growth.’ Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director of DBN, emphasized the importance of financial institutions in transforming unbankable ideas into viable businesses through advisory services.
“You, our partners, are acknowledged and celebrated for your outreach to entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to scale. We appreciate you for your role in converting unbankable ideas into bankable businesses,” Okpanachi stated.
He noted that the award aims to recognize partners who make a significant impact, focusing on storytelling and the positive changes they bring to Nigeria.
This award joins a series of landmark initiatives by Fidelity Bank aimed at supporting MSMEs. Earlier in May, the bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to facilitate the expansion of Nigerian MSMEs across Africa.
Additionally, Fidelity Bank launched the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos—a multifunctional facility equipped with training halls, meeting rooms, networking spaces, and studios for music, photography, and content production.
This hub is designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building, essential elements for strengthening Nigeria’s SME ecosystem and driving economic growth.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (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.
Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has launched a new feature called Advance Top-Up on its USSD banking platform *919#, which is designed to provide instant access to airtime and data for its customers especially when they are out of call credit or disconnected from the internet.
The new feature which was unveiled at the UBA head office in Marina recently, allows customers to borrow airtime or data directly from their mobile devices, offering a fast, dependable solution.
Shamsideen Fashola, group head, Retail and Digital Banking, UBA, who spoke during the official launch, described the feature as a timely addition to the bank’s digital offerings and a testament to the its customer-first approach.
“At UBA, we are constantly looking for ways to make banking and everyday services more accessible for our customers. With the launch of Advance Top-Up on our USSD platform, *919#, we are giving our customers the power to stay connected without interruption, regardless of time, location, or airtime balance,” Shamsideen said.
UBA’s Advance Top-Up which is now live on *919#, joins a wide range of services on the platform, which include airtime and data purchases, money transfers to UBA and other banks, account balance checks, card blocking and freezing, online transaction controls, bill payments, and more.
Fashola emphasised the simplicity and convenience of the solution, adding that “You don’t need to download an app or visit a data centre. Just dial *919#, follow the prompt, and you’re immediately connected. It’s simple, fast, and reliable.”
Alero Ladipo, Bank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, added that the feature was developed based on real feedback from customers and their evolving needs.
“Our users asked for a way to stay connected when they have no airtime, and as always, we have come up with a quick solution, right there on their phones, instantly, with no fuss, and no need for internet connectivity. Whether for emergency communications or business continuity, *919# puts instant connectivity in every customer’s hands,” she explained.
She explained that only recently, the bank unveiled its newly improved Point of Sale (POS) Terminal as well as the UBA MONI App to redefine the digital payment landscape and empower small and Medium Scale Enterprises across Africa.
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