NCC’s decisive intervention ends N300bn USSD debt standoff between telcos, Banks — ALTON

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, has revealed how proactive regulatory leadership by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) brought an end to the protracted N300 billion USSD debt dispute between telecommunications operators and deposit money banks.

Adebayo made the disclosure during a congratulatory visit by key industry stakeholders to the Chairman of the NCC Board of Commissioners, Dr. Idris Olorunnimbe.

The dispute, which lingered for several years, stemmed from unpaid charges related to Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services used by banks to provide financial transactions to customers via mobile networks.

The debt accumulation created mounting financial strain for telecom operators and raised concerns over the sustainability of digital banking services in Nigeria.

According to Adebayo, the unresolved debt posed serious operational and financial risks to operators and threatened the stability of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital financial services ecosystem.

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He explained that tensions at one point heightened fears of service disruptions that could have impacted millions of Nigerians who depend on USSD platforms for everyday banking transactions, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

Adebayo credited the breakthrough to the leadership of the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, whose intervention facilitated structured negotiations between telecom operators and financial institutions.

“The Commission’s decisive engagement ensured that the matter did not degenerate into service disruptions that could have negatively affected millions of Nigerians who rely on USSD for financial transactions,” Adebayo stated.

He noted that the Commission adopted a regulatory strategy anchored on dialogue, firm oversight, and policy clarity, which helped broker a mutually acceptable resolution framework.

This approach, he said, restored trust between telecom operators and banks while stabilising the digital payments ecosystem.

The ALTON chairman also commended the NCC Board for providing strong institutional support that reinforced the Commission’s mediation efforts.

He described the resolution as evidence of the critical role responsive and firm regulation plays in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital economy.

Reaffirming ALTON’s commitment to collaboration, Adebayo pledged continued support for regulatory initiatives aimed at deepening digital inclusion, strengthening consumer confidence, and sustaining growth in the telecommunications sector.

The resolution of the ₦300 billion impasse is widely seen as a significant milestone in preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s mobile banking infrastructure and reinforcing regulatory coordination between the telecom and financial services sectors.