Telecommunications subscribers in Nigeria will, from Wednesday, 18 June 2025, be charged directly by their mobile network operators for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services.
This update was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by Mr Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and the association’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Damian Udeh.
According to Adebayo, the revised billing approach aligns with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) 2025 determination on USSD pricing and services, formulated in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other key stakeholders.
He explained that the new billing model End-User Billing (EUB) permits mobile network operators to charge customers directly for each USSD session, with deductions made from their airtime balance at a rate of ₦6.98 per 120 seconds.
He noted that “customers would receive a prompt to opt-in and approve the charge before deduction,” and that billing would only occur for successful sessions.
Adebayo emphasised that this change would not disrupt the availability or functionality of USSD banking services, stating that customers could continue to use their bank’s USSD codes as long as they had sufficient airtime.
Also Read: NCC Directs Telecoms to Alert Users on Major Network Outages
“USSD services play a vital role in expanding access to financial services, particularly for unbanked and underbanked populations,” he said.
He explained that the former corporate billing model, where telecom operators billed banks for USSD services, had led to prolonged disputes over unpaid debts, service disruptions, and customer uncertainty.
“To address these challenges, the NCC’s 2025 determination introduced the End-User Billing (EUB) model, which allows mobile network operators to charge customers directly for USSD sessions.
“To achieve the implementation of the EUB model, the CBN and NCC have stipulated that only banks that meet certain regulatory and operational conditions are permitted to migrate,” he added.
Adebayo advised subscribers to direct service access issues to their network operators, while banks should be contacted for transaction-related complaints.
“To ensure a smooth transition, we urge subscribers to follow support guidelines. Alternative digital banking channels such as mobile apps, internet banking, and ATMs remain fully operational,” he stated.
He reaffirmed ALTON’s commitment to working closely with the NCC, CBN, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure the transition is seamless, equitable, and beneficial particularly for end-users.
The change in billing method follows prolonged tensions between Nigerian banks and telecom operators over a ₦250 billion USSD debt.
In December 2024, the CBN and NCC jointly directed mobile network operators and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to resolve the debt impasse.
Amid threats by telecom firms to suspend USSD services due to the accumulating debt, the NCC in January warned of possible suspension of the service and threatened to publish a list of defaulting banks.
On 15 January, the NCC instructed telecom operators to disconnect USSD codes assigned to nine banks by 27 January over unpaid liabilities.
On 28 February, MTN Nigeria disclosed that it had received ₦32 billion out of ₦72 billion owed by banks, as part settlement of the outstanding USSD debt.
