Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have officially completed the migration of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) billing to the End-User Billing (EUB) model and have commenced the direct billing of telecoms subscribers who use USSD services.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued last night by the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the umbrella body for all licensed telecom operators in the country. The statement was co-signed by ALTON’s Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and its Publicity Secretary, Damian Udeh.
According to ALTON, the transition to direct billing took effect today, Wednesday, and marks a major milestone in the ongoing evolution of Nigeria’s digital financial ecosystem.
“The transition marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s digital financial ecosystem and is being implemented per the Determination of USSD Pricing and Services issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),” the statement said.
Under the new arrangement, USSD charges will now be deducted directly from subscribers’ airtime balance rather than their bank accounts. Each USSD session will attract a fee of ₦6.98 per 120 seconds. To ensure transparency, subscribers will be prompted to opt in and approve the deduction before any charges are applied.
“There will be no double billing as billing will only occur for successful sessions via airtime deductions,” the statement clarified.
The implementation of the EUB model is being carried out in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the NCC. Only banks that meet certain regulatory and operational requirements — including adequate prior notification to customers — are permitted to implement the change.
ALTON assured that the new billing method will not affect the availability or functionality of USSD banking services. Customers can continue using their bank’s USSD codes as usual, provided they have sufficient airtime on their mobile lines.
The association further noted that other digital banking platforms, including mobile banking apps, internet banking, and automated teller machines (ATMs), remain fully operational and available for customer convenience.
ALTON reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with the NCC, CBN, financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless and fair transition that prioritizes the interests of telecoms subscribers.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the transition is seamless, equitable, and beneficial to all parties, especially the end users,” the statement concluded.
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