Banking Services: FG Directs MTN, Others To Suspend N4 Charge On USSD Access.

The Federal Government has asked MTN Nigeria and other mobile
operators to suspend the four naira (N4:00) charge per 20 seconds
on USSD access to banking services.

The directive was issued by the Minister of Communications, Dr.
Isa Pantami, on Sunday after a twitter user, Mustapha Hadi, tweeted
at Pantami, requesting he acts on the claim.

MTN had sent a message to its mobile customers that with effect
from October 21, 2019, N4 will be charged on every 20 seconds spent
while using USSD access to banking services.

“Yello, Please note that from Oct 21, we will charge N4 per 20
seconds for USSD access to banking services. Thank you.”

Dr. Pantami, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mrs. Uwa
Suleiman, asked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to
ensure that the operator suspends such plans until he is fully
briefed.

“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.”

Dear @DrIsaPantami^[1] , today MTN sent me a
message that they will start deducting charges for mobile top-up as
directed by my bank. I think this is a bit too harsh considering
the many charges they are already deducting daily. Pls consider the
common man and do something. Thank you

— Mustapha Hadi, GMCPN (@musteehadee) October
20, 2019^[2]

Many thanks for drawing my attention to it.
We have directed NCC to ask MTN to suspend the plan. We are not
aware of it officially. We will investigate and make sure right
thing is done. Best wishes! https://t.co/S21upgbzE1^[3]

— Isa Ali Pantami, PhD (@DrIsaPantami) October
20, 2019^[4]

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