The withdrawal of USSD codes by telecommunications companies from commercial banks in Nigeria has significant implications for customers, banks, and the telecom industry.
The Impact on Customers would be that they will no longer be able to use USSD codes to recharge airtime, check balances, or perform other banking transactions, leading to inconvenience and disruption in services.
However, telecom companies like MTN Nigeria have introduced alternative channels, such as fintech solutions platforms like Flutterwave, Jumia Pay, and OPay, for customers to recharge airtime and access other services.
For banks, it would amount to a huge loss of revenue as the withdrawal of USSD codes will result in a loss of revenue for banks, which earn a commission on USSD transactions. The disruption in services may also damage the relationships between banks and their customers, potentially leading to a loss of business.
On the other hand, this action may lead to revenue growth for the telecom companies, as they will no longer have to share revenue with banks ¹.
The introduction of alternative channels may also increase competition in the telecom industry, driving innovation and better customer service.
Overall, telecommunications companies’ withdrawal of USSD codes from commercial banks in Nigeria has significant implications for customers, banks, and the telecom industry. While it may lead to revenue growth for telecom companies, it also poses challenges for banks and customers, who must adapt to alternative channels and services.
Following a backlog of unpaid debts, the Nigerian Communications Commission has authorised telecommunications companies to disconnect the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes assigned to nine financial institutions.
The directive, signed by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Tuesday and obtained by Channels Television, noted that the affected banks must pay the outstanding debts by January 27, 2025, or risk losing access to their USSD codes.
The regulator did not, however, state the amount of the debt owed by the nine banks.
According to the NCC public notice, nine out of 18 financial institutions had not complied with regulatory directives.
It said while other banks have cleared their debts, the total amount initially owed by the financial institutions was reported to exceed N200 billion.
According to the NCC, some of the invoices have remained unpaid since 2020.
Part of the notice read, “By the information made available to the commission as at close of business on Tuesday, 14th January 2025, of a total of 18 financial institutions, the nine institutions listed below have failed to comply significantly with the directives in the Second Joint Circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the commission dated December 20, 2024, for the settlement of outstanding invoices due to MNOS, some since 2020.”
The affected financial institutions include Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank, Jaiz Bank Plc, Polaris Bank Limited, Sterling Bank Limited, United Bank for Africa Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc.
The affected USSD codes include 770, 919, and 822, among others. If the debts remain unresolved, they could be reassigned to other applicants.
The regulator noted that banks’ failure to comply with the CBN-NCC joint circular also means that they are unable to meet the good standing requirements for the renewal of the USSD codes assigned to them by the commission.
It added, “In fulfillment of its consumer protection mandate, the commission wishes to inform consumers that they may be unable to access the USSD platform of the affected financial institutions from January 27, 2025.”
The NCC emphasized that the financial institutions had been duly notified of the need for immediate compliance and warned that consumers may face service disruptions if the issues remain unresolved.
Meanwhile, data from the CBN revealed that 252.06 million transactions worth N2.19 trillion were conducted via USSD between January and June 2024.
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