UBA shifts to an airtime-based USSD billing model, charging ₦6.98 per session, ending deductions from bank accounts. Consent now required for each use

UBA USSD billing model has been changed in a major move that alters how customers are charged for mobile banking services, with the new framework taking effect from 27 June 2025.

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The United Bank for Africa announced that it will no longer deduct service charges for USSD sessions directly from customers’ bank accounts.

Instead, these fees will now be withdrawn from users’ mobile airtime balances. This adjustment comes in response to ongoing changes within Nigeria’s USSD financial service ecosystem.

Each USSD session will now attract a charge of ₦6.98 for a maximum duration of 120 seconds. These charges will be processed by the customer’s mobile network provider rather than by the bank itself.

To promote transparency and empower users, UBA has introduced a consent prompt at the beginning of every USSD session. Customers must approve the charge before the session can proceed, provided the service is deliverable at that time.

“This shift reflects our strategic response to industry changes while upholding our commitment to accessible and secure banking,” the bank stated in its customer advisory.

UBA reaffirmed that customers who are not comfortable with the airtime-based model may opt out of USSD banking entirely. The bank encouraged such users to consider its alternative digital platforms, including the UBA Mobile App, the Leo chatbot interface, and the institution’s internet banking portal.

A spokesperson said the transition aligns with the bank’s broader focus on innovative, user-centric service delivery. “We are dedicated to delivering innovative, customer-focused solutions.

This transition ensures continued convenience while adapting to the evolving USSD landscape,” the spokesperson said.

The bank’s decision places control directly in the hands of customers while maintaining operational efficiency and responding to structural shifts in mobile banking service agreements.

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As the financial services environment continues to evolve, UBA’s USSD model update is expected to influence how other institutions structure their mobile platforms, potentially ushering in similar changes across Nigeria’s banking sector.