NCC has ordered MTN to suspend the proposed N4 on USSD banking transaction access

MTN sent a text message to its customers this morning informing them that it will start charging for all USSD banking transactions. According to the message, starting from the 21st of October, N4 will be charged every 20 seconds for access to bank transaction through USSD code.

This information didn't go down well with many Nigerians as they took to twitter and other social media platform to express their disapproval of the new charges. The federal government has however interfered and it has asked the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to order MTN to suspend the proposed charge on USSD banking service.

According to the spokesperson of the NCC Mrs. Uwa Suleiman, she said:

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Communications has been drawn to the viral text message allegedly sent  by the Mobile Network Operator MTN Nigeria and other Mobile Operators notifying subscribers of a four naira (N4:00) charge per 20 seconds on USSD access to banking services from the 21st of October 2019.
“The office of the Honourable Minister of Communications Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, is unaware of this development and has hereby directed the sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ensures the operator suspends such plans until the Honourable Minister is fully and properly briefed.” 

Going by the official statement above, this is just a temporary suspension until the NCC is properly briefed, which means the charge might still stay depending on the outcome of the meeting. So let us not get too excited yet.

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