Fortis Microfinance Bank (MFB) has been recognised as the first Client Protection Certified organization in Nigeria by Smart Campaign.
The Director of the Smart Campaign, Mrs Isabelle Barrès made the announcement to journalists at a briefing  in Abuja.
The  Smart Campaign is a global initiative that incorporates strong client-protection practices into the microfinance industry.
The Smart Campaign’s Client Protection Certification programme publicly recognises those institutions providing financial services to low-income households whose standards of care uphold the Smart Campaign’s seven Client Protection Principles.
These principles cover such important areas as pricing, transparency, fair and respectful treatment and prevention of over-indebtedness.
Barrès said Fortis joins 16 others on the planet from Latin America, Eastern Europe and South Asia with such certification.
"Fortis MFB Plc has served the region for eight years and currently serves more than 400,000 clients. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Fortis Microfinance Plc.
"Their willingness to do the work it takes to prepare for and undergo the intensive process of evaluation is indicative of their deep commitment to their clients.
"They have shown that this bar is achievable in the area of client protection. Their example will catalyze a movement towards certification within the broader industry," she said.
Also, the Managing Director, Fortis MFB, Mr. Tiko Okoye reiterated the bank's commitment to protecting its clients and their investments in the bank.
“We have always held a strong commitment to protecting our clients, but this independent validation lends credibility and demonstrates to our esteemed clients and our industry that we continue to work every day to improve our service and our commitment to best practices in microfinance," he said.
The Managing Director, Fortis Mobile Money Limited Mr. Jero Omare-Ogah said In the last eight years, the bank had touched the lives of thousands of families across Nigeria,
"We have supported over 100,000 entrepreneurs and have financially and socially empowered over 100,000 Nigerian women through our savings, micro loans and business advisory services," he said.
Also, Mr Jeroen Harteveld, Investment Officer, Dutch Development Bank congratulated Fortis Microfinance on this milestone.
Some clients of the bank present at the briefing said Fortis empowerment loans had impacted their lives in so many ways.
Mrs Nkechi Onuora said, “When Fortis supported me with loans, things started changing in my life and that of my children as my business has expanded.
"I can now pay my children school fees easily, I can speak where other women are speaking and my life has now changed completely for good”.

  Fortis MFB was the first privately owned microfinance Bank to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and the only microfinance bank with a Central Bank of Nigeria approved Mobile payment license in West Africa.
It also has the record of the only MFB that has the Central Bank of Nigeria's certification to train the management of other Microfinance institutions in Nigeria through Fortis Academy Limited.