ACAMB pushes banks to adopt QR codes, strengthen payment systems after NIBSS visit

The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has called on banks to deepen the use of digital payment channels, especially QR code payments. The call followed a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) in Lagos.

During the visit, both groups discussed the need to strengthen payment rails and ensure the industry speaks with a united voice when service disruptions happen.

ACAMB President Jide Sipe said the association wants a forum where banks can hold a single conversation about the sector. This would help share new developments with the public quickly and accurately.

“We want to make sure there is a space where banks engage, share ideas, and ask relevant questions about how to grow the industry as well as manage its challenges,” Sipe said.

He added that ACAMB has been meeting stakeholders across the sector, including the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), to find ways to support better collaboration.

Sipe pointed to recent system downtime as a test of how the industry communicates. He said ACAMB wants the narrative around such incidents to rely on accurate information, not accounts from people outside operations. He proposed a stakeholders’ conference that would link heads of corporate communications directly with NIBSS.

In response, NIBSS Managing Director and CEO Premier Oiwoh said reliable digital payment infrastructure is key to financial inclusion.

“That is why one of the key ingredients that shape our philosophy at NIBSS is our commitment to financial inclusion. Seamless and effective payment has always been at the core of what we do and one key path to achieving this is ensuring a payment system that works,” Oiwoh said.

He noted that a working payment system would optimise revenue security, improve customer experiences, and speed up time-to-market. This in turn would drive economic growth.

Oiwoh added that since joining NIBSS in May 2019, the organisation has prioritised industry fairness and trust in digital payments.