GTBank to begin N6.98 USSD fee deduction via airtime Wednesday
GTB announces new directive.
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has joined other Nigerian banks in implementing a new billing framework for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) transactions, aligning with regulatory directives.
Starting Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the bank announced it will begin deducting the N6.98 USSD transaction fee directly from customers’ airtime balance, rather than from their bank accounts.
In a message sent to customers, GTBank stated:
“Dear Customer, please be informed that effective 18 June 2025, the N6.98 USSD fee will be deducted from your airtime balance, no longer from your bank account. Thank you.”
READ ALSO:
‘Blatant violation of rights’ — Female baker to sue GTB
This transition is part of a broader industry directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to resolve long-standing disputes between telecom operators and banks.
These disputes largely centred on the banks’ previous method of billing customers via their accounts, while telecom companies were left to shoulder the infrastructure costs of the USSD services—often without timely compensation.
By late 2024, telecom operators claimed that Nigerian banks had accumulated over ₦250 billion in unpaid USSD-related debts. In response, the NCC introduced the End-User Billing (EUB) model, instructing banks to migrate to airtime billing for all USSD services and remit outstanding debts before doing so.
Under the new model, customers will now be prompted to confirm USSD transaction fees before each session. Airtime deductions will only occur once users grant consent and if they have sufficient balance. This approach promotes transparency and empowers users to manage their mobile transactions more effectively.
The implementation marks a critical step in stabilising Nigeria’s digital banking infrastructure, ensuring telcos are compensated fairly while maintaining service continuity for customers.