USSD Stands At ₦6.98 Per 120 Seconds As End-user Billing Begins

The Affiliation of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has formally introduced the graduation of the Finish-Person Billing (EUB) mannequin for Unstructured Supplementary Service Information (USSD) providers, efficient Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Below the brand new framework, clients will now be charged ₦6.98 per 120 seconds for USSD periods, with charges deducted straight from their airtime steadiness.

The transfer, backed by the Nigerian Communications Fee (NCC) and the Central Financial institution of Nigeria (CBN), marks a shift in how digital monetary transactions by way of USSD are billed.

Beforehand, banks had been billed by telecom operators for these providers, resulting in extended disputes over unpaid prices, frequent service disruptions, and widespread confusion amongst customers.

ALTON’s chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, in a public assertion, made accessible to LEADERSHIP, on Wednesday, mentioned the transition to EUB was a important milestone in constructing a extra clear, sustainable, and user-focused digital monetary ecosystem.

Below the EUB mannequin, telcos will now cost clients straight for every USSD session. Expenses will solely apply after a consumer opts in and approves the deduction.

ALTON emphasised that billing will solely happen for profitable periods, and double billing is explicitly dominated out.

“This alteration ensures readability and eliminates disputes between banks and telecom operators whereas safeguarding the pursuits of finish customers,” the affiliation famous.

With a view to help a seamless transition, solely banks that meet regulatory and operational circumstances, together with buyer notification of the change, are permitted emigrate to this new billing construction.

Nonetheless, customers will proceed to entry USSD banking providers by way of their banks’ current codes, so long as they’ve ample airtime to cowl the fees.

For entry points, ALTON advises clients, who’re unable to dial USSD codes, to contact their cell community operator.

For transaction-related points like failed transfers or service errors, the affiliation urged clients to contact their financial institution’s customer support.

Each banks and cell community operators are required to offer responsive help and be sure that clients can entry and use USSD providers with out disruption.

Importantly, the affiliation assured Nigerians that USSD banking providers stay totally operational and unaffected in performance, including that for customers preferring different digital platforms, cell apps, web banking, and ATMs stay accessible and unaffected by the brand new billing coverage.

By implementing this mannequin, regulators and operators purpose to make sure continued availability of USSD as a significant device for monetary inclusion, particularly for Nigeria’s unbanked and underbanked inhabitants.

ALTON due to this fact reaffirmed its dedication to working intently with the NCC, CBN, monetary establishments, and different stakeholders to make sure a easy, equitable, and clear rollout of the brand new coverage.

“This reform is consistent with our dedication to selling operational effectivity, shopper safety, and long-term stability in Nigeria’s telecom and monetary providers panorama,” ALTON added.