Starting June 3, 2025, Nigerians using USSD banking services will have the charges deducted directly from their mobile airtime, not their bank accounts. This follows a new directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), according to a customer notice from the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
UBA explained that under the new billing model, each USSD session will cost ₦6.98 per 120 seconds. These charges will now be handled by mobile network operators and customers will receive a prompt asking for consent before any airtime is deducted. If airtime is unavailable or the bank cannot process the request, the session will not be charged.
Customers who prefer not to use USSD services under this model can opt out and use alternative banking methods such as mobile apps or internet banking.
This move appears to be part of efforts by the NCC to resolve the long standing dispute over USSD fees between telecom companies and commercial banks. In 2024, telcos had complained about over ₦250 billion in unpaid USSD debts by banks. At one point, the NCC threatened to suspend USSD services and disconnect the codes of banks still owing.
In January 2025, telcos were directed to block USSD access to nine banks over the unpaid debt. MTN Nigeria later confirmed it received ₦32 billion out of the ₦72 billion owed by the banks.
The NCC’s latest directive may finally settle the payment disagreements by shifting the cost burden directly to consumers via mobile airtime.