Beginning Wednesday, June 18, 2025, telecom subscribers in Nigeria will be billed directly by their mobile network operators for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services.
This update was announced in a joint statement by Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and the association’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Damian Udeh.
Adebayo explained that the revised billing system aligns with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) pricing framework for USSD services, developed in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders.
Under the new model, network operators will deduct charges directly from customers’ airtime at a rate of N6.98 per 120 seconds. Users will receive a prompt to opt-in and confirm the charge before any deduction is made, and fees will only apply to successfully completed sessions.
Adebayo emphasized that the change will not impact the availability or functionality of USSD banking services, which will continue as long as customers have enough airtime.
“USSD services play a vital role in expanding access to financial services, particularly for unbanked and underbanked populations.
“However, the previous corporate billing model where banks were billed by telecom operators led to prolonged disputes over unpaid charges, service interruptions and uncertainty for customers.
“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 said.
Adebayo advised customers to contact their mobile network operator for access issues and banks for transaction-related issues.
“To ensure a smooth transition, we urge subcribers to follow support guidelines, alternative digital banking channels such as mobile apps, internet banking, and ATMs remain fully operational,” he said.
