The bank notified customers via text messages early Wednesday, stating:
"Dear Customer, please be informed that effective 18 June 2025, the ₦6.98 USSD fee will be deducted from your airtime balance, no longer from your bank account."
This adjustment follows a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which mandated the airtime-deduction model to resolve long-standing disputes between banks and telecom operators over USSD service fees.
For years, telecom companies claimed banks owed billions in unpaid USSD charges. In 2021, regulators introduced a flat ₦6.98 per session to standardize payments and avoid service disruptions. However, disagreements persisted over fee collection. The new model transfers billing responsibility to telecom providers, removing banks from the process entirely.
Customers must now ensure sufficient airtime before initiating USSD transactions, including balance inquiries, transfers, or bill payments. While the core banking transaction remains free (aside from standard transfer fees), failed USSD attempts will still incur the ₦6.98 charge once a session begins.
GTBank’s move aligns it with other major Nigerian banks, marking a significant step toward resolving industry-wide billing conflicts. Regulators say this shift will prevent future service interruptions.
Summary:
GTBank now deducts USSD transaction fees from airtime instead of bank accounts—a major shift mandated by Nigerian regulators. Customers must maintain airtime balances for seamless banking, as telecoms take over fee collection. This ends years of disputes between banks and service providers.
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