The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced that End-User Billing (EUB) for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) officially started on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
According to LEADERSHIP, ALTON confirmed that users will now pay ₦6.98 for every 120 seconds of USSD use, with charges taken directly from their airtime balance.
This billing structure has been approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Previously, telecom operators charged banks for USSD services, which often led to disagreements over unpaid fees and service interruptions.
ALTON’s chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, explained, “This change ensures clarity and eliminates disputes between banks and telecom operators while safeguarding the interests of end users.”
With the EUB system in place, users will only be charged when they agree to the deduction at the start of each session.
ALTON also confirmed that billing will only apply to completed USSD sessions and that double billing is not allowed.
Only banks that meet the required operational and regulatory guidelines are allowed to switch to this direct billing model.
Customers can continue using the same USSD codes from their banks, as long as they have enough airtime to pay for the service.
ALTON advised users to contact their mobile network operators if they experience problems accessing USSD codes.
For issues such as failed transactions, users should contact their banks directly for support.
Both telecom operators and banks must provide fast, reliable service and effective customer support.
ALTON assured Nigerians that USSD banking services will remain fully available, while mobile apps, internet banking, and ATMs are also unaffected.
The association emphasized that this billing model will help keep USSD services accessible, especially for people who do not have access to traditional banking.
ALTON also pledged to continue working closely with the NCC, CBN, and financial institutions to ensure the process remains smooth and transparent.
Article updated 3 hours ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
