What Buhari Said About Bank Customers To Pay N4 Per 20 Seconds For USSD Transaction

• FG is unaware about customers new charges for USSD transaction – Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami
• MTN and other Networks will charge N4 per 20 seconds for USSD access to banking services

Customers who use unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) channels to access banking services would have to pay new charges from October 21.

Some telecommunications network service providers have sent notices to their customers of the new charge.

“Please note that from Oct 21, we will charge N4 per 20 seconds for USSD access to banking services. Thank you,” a notification sent by MTN to customers read.

Banking services were introduced on USSD channels to ensure easier access to banking services.

Before now, telcos charged customers per USSD session.

This charge differed across networks with the highest being N20 per session.

However, this new charge would mean that customers will be charged N12 for every minute spent on the USSD channel.

Already, the development has elicited reactions from customers and they have taken to social media to express how they feel on social media.

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Some customers went as far as sending messages to their banks for further information on the charges.

Some banks have responded saying their charges remain unchanged.

“Our fees and charges on the USSD service remain unchanged and all our services are available,” Access Bank’s Twitter account replied a customer.

But in a reaction to the Federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari said FG were not aware about the charges on USSD access to banking services

The Spokesperson to Minister of Communications, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs) said 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.

PRESS STATEMENT

DISCONTINUATION OF ALLEGED USSD SERVICE CHARGE BY MTN NIGERIA

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 FNCS, FBCS, FIIM 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.

Signed
Uwa Suleiman (Mrs)
Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications
20th October 2019

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