Mobile telecom users will begin from June 18, 2025, to pay telecom companies for using USSD services, which are commonly used for various tasks like banking through phones.
This new system was announced by the head of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo.
He explained that the decision aligns with recent guidelines from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), aiming to improve how the USSD services are charged and provided.
Adebayo said that under the new rules, each time you use a USSD service, you will be charged a fee of N6.98 for every 120 seconds of use.
Before any charge occurs, users will receive a notification asking for their approval. This means you won’t be charged unless you confirm the session was successful.
Adebayo assured that this change will not disrupt the availability of USSD banking services, allowing customers to continue using the USSD codes provided by their banks, as long as they have enough balance in their airtime.
He emphasized the importance of USSD services in facilitating access to financial services, especially for those without bank accounts.
Previously, banks were billed for these services, which resulted in disputes and confusion over unpaid charges. This led to service interruptions that affected customers.
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To solve these issues, the new system allows telecom operators to bill customers directly for USSD use.
Additionally, only banks that comply with specific rules will be allowed to continue using these services.
Adebayo advised mobile telecom customers to reach out to their telecom companies for any problems related to USSD access and to contact their banks for issues related to transactions.
He encouraged users to follow the support guidelines provided by their operators, adding that other digital banking options, like mobile apps and internet banking, are still available and functional.
He also expressed ALTON’s commitment to working with the NCC, CBN, banks, and other stakeholders to ensure the transition to this new billing system is smooth and fair for everyone involved, especially for the end users.
This change comes after a history of disagreements between banks and telecom companies over unpaid charges related to USSD services.
Recently, the CBN and NCC had to intervene to resolve significant debts owed by banks to telecom operators. In January, the NCC even threatened to cut off USSD services for certain banks that failed to pay up, highlighting the urgency of this issue.
