Guaranty Trust Bank is set to join other banks in implementing a new billing model for its USSD banking transactions starting today, Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Customers have been informed that the N6.98 transaction fee for USSD services will now be deducted directly from their airtime balance instead of their bank accounts.
The message sent to customers reads:
“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.”
This change is part of a wider industry shift mandated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve ongoing disputes between telecom operators and banks over unpaid USSD service charges.
Previously, banks charged customers through their bank accounts while passing on USSD usage costs to telecom companies. Telecom operators raised concerns that banks were profiting from USSD services without timely payment for the infrastructure, resulting in outstanding debts estimated at ₦250 billion by 2024.
To tackle this, the NCC introduced the End-User Billing model, requiring banks to clear existing debts before switching USSD fees to be deducted from customers’ airtime. Under this model, users will be prompted at the start of each USSD session, and airtime will only be deducted after they confirm the transaction, provided there is enough airtime balance.
