The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially directed that USSD transaction charges be deducted from users’ mobile airtime rather than their bank accounts, effective today, June 3, 2025.
The change, confirmed via an official email from United Bank for Africa (UBA) to its customers, introduces a billing system known as End-User Billing (EUB). Under this model, mobile network operators will now charge ₦6.98 per 120 seconds of USSD usage directly from users’ airtime.
According to UBA, customers will receive a prompt requesting their consent before any charge is made. Airtime will only be deducted once the customer agrees and if the bank is available to complete the transaction.
The bank also assured customers that those who prefer not to use USSD under the new arrangement can seamlessly switch to alternative digital channels such as mobile apps and internet banking.
This comes as part of ongoing efforts by the NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve the protracted disagreement between telecom operators and banks over unpaid USSD fees — a conflict that has reportedly accumulated over ₦250 billion in outstanding charges.
Earlier this year, the NCC warned that it might suspend USSD services to banks failing to settle their debts. By February 2025, MTN Nigeria confirmed it had received ₦32 billion of the ₦72 billion owed by financial institutions.
As this new policy takes effect, customers are encouraged to monitor their airtime balances and consider alternative digital platforms where necessary.
