NCC orders banks to charge USSD fees from users’ airtime
The Nigerian Communications Commission has instructed commercial banks to stop deducting charges for USSD transactions straight from customers' bank accounts.
From now on, these fees will be taken from users' mobile airtime instead.
This update was shared with customers by the United Bank for Africa in an email on Tuesday.
As stated in the email, the new directive is effective from June 3 (today).
"In accordance with the directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), please note that from June 3, 2025, fees for USSD banking services will not be deducted from your bank account," the message states.
"Moving forward, these charges will be taken directly from your mobile airtime balance as per the NCC's End-User Billing (EUB) model.
"With this new billing structure, each USSD session will incur a fee of ₦6.98 for every 120 seconds, billed by your mobile network operator.
"You will get a consent prompt at the beginning of each session, and airtime will only be charged after your approval and the bank's ability to provide this service.
"If you prefer not to use USSD banking under this new arrangement, you may opt to stop using the USSD channel."
UBA mentioned that customers can still access other digital banking options and internet banking for added convenience.
This new directive could be part of the NCC's initiative to address the ongoing USSD payment disputes between mobile network operators and banks.
In December 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria and NCC mandated MNOs and banks to resolve the longstanding ₦250 billion USSD debt.
Following telcos' threats to halt services due to the debts owed by banks, the NCC cautioned in January that it may suspend USSD services and disclose the names of banks still owing the telcos.
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