Charges for use of USSD banking services now to be on Airtime

The Nigerian Communications Commission has implemented changes in the way USSD banking service charges are made on customers’ accounts. The NCC had directed that all such charges should not be debited to customers account bur rather made against their airtime balances. This makes for easy accounting and reconciliation since it was airtime and communication services regulated by the NCC that gave rise to the charges in the first time.

Besides, when customers use an USSD banking services, it is actually the airtime and services regulated by the NCC that the customers are using. This changes are to take effect from June 27, 2025. Subsequently, the banks have commenced implementation and passing the information to all their respective customers.

For instance, one such message from UBA to its customers read: “In accordance with the ongoing changes in the USSD ecosystem, please note that starting from 27th June 2025, fees for USSD banking services will no longer be taken from your bank account. From this point forward, these fees will be charged directly to your mobile airtime balance.

“With this new billing system, each USSD session will incur a fee of “₦6.98 for a maximum of 120 seconds, which will be charged by your mobile network operator. You will receive a consent prompt at the beginning of each session, and airtime will only be deducted after your confirmation and if the bank is available to provide this service.

“If you prefer not to continue using USSD banking under this new arrangement, you have the option to stop using the USSD channel. Other digital banking alternatives, such as our mobile app, Leo, and internet banking platform, are still available for your convenience”, the message concluded.