NCC, CBN Meet Over N250bn USSD Debt

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the (CBN) are in a meeting over the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debt totalling ₦250 billion.

NCC Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, made the disclosure recently, expressing the hope that the issue would soon be settled.

The ₦250 billion USSD debt is between telecom operators and commercial banks operating in the country.

USSD, also known as quick or feature codes, is a global system for mobile communications (GSM) protocol used to send text messages and initiate financial transactions, including cash transfers, balance inquiries, payments for services, among others.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, had said in October that banks might be disconnected from the USSD platform, due to debt arising from the use of the quick codes by their customers.

Also, the Executive Secretary of Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbolahan Awonuga, had also revealed that the USSD debt has increased to ₦250 billion.

In 2019, telecom operators declared that they could no longer provide the services for free and proposed to take a cut of ₦4.50k per 20 seconds from the charges paid by customers to the banks.

However, the commercial banks kicked against the proposal, claiming that it would raise costs by 450 per cent.

Toriola had said mobile network operators (MNOs) might, subject to regulatory approval, suspend supporting the use of the USSD on the network for banking operations, as the debt had continued to pile up and was becoming unsustainable to the operators.

However, the NCC disclosed that it was engaging with the CBN to settle the issue amicably.

NCC Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, expressed optimism that the issue would soon be settled.

“The NCC remains committed to ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders, consumers, telcos and banks, are protected,” he said.

The NCC Director insisted that a resolution is critical to maintaining the seamless operation of mobile financial services that millions of Nigerians depend on daily.

Adinde also disclosed that there were plans to introduce reforms at enhancing tariff transparency in the telecommunications industry. He said the new move between the NCC and CBN would finally put an end to the USSD debt issue.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has put in place an initiative seeking to limit and simplify the tariff plans of telecom operators as a way to enhancing transparency and ensuring a consumer-friendly telecom landscape.

NCC Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ikechukwu Adinde, made the disclosure during a two-day upskilling on trends in telecom industry recently for media stakeholders in Lagos.

Adinde highlighted the complexities within the current tariff system. He said the abundance of promotional elements and plan add-ons often leaves consumers overwhelmed and unable to select plans that best suit their needs.

“Our goal is to streamline options, allowing consumers to clearly understand and compare what is available. With fewer choices, people can make informed decisions with confidence.

“The NCC data shows the extent of the challenge; one network currently has 14 voice plans and 145 data plans, while another has 27 voice plans and 41 data plans.

“By reducing these options, NCC seeks to simplify the market and enhance consumer satisfaction. The initiative also aims to tackle data depletion concerns,” Adinde said.

The NCC Director encouraged consumers to actively monitor their data usage. He explained that the educational campaigns and online resources of the Commission has provided guidance on data management and optimisation.

“Through publishing approved tariff plans on our website and providing data usage tips, we are dedicated to improving consumer awareness,” he added.

With this tariff simplification, the NCC anticipates a more consumer-friendly telecom landscape, prioritising transparency and ease of use for Nigerians navigating data and voice options.