By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that telecom consumers will be able to reclaim unused airtime within 12 months of deactivation.
This provision is part of the new Draft Guidance aimed at regulating the management of unclaimed and unutilized recharges on deactivated subscriber lines in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
The announcement was made during a virtual stakeholder forum held by the Commission on Tuesday, where telecom operators, consumer groups, and regulatory bodies gathered to review and provide input on the proposed framework.
Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who was represented at the event by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, explained that the initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to ensuring consumer protection and promoting transparency within the industry.
“With the growing dependence on prepaid mobile services, it is crucial that we address the issue of unused airtime when subscriber lines are deactivated,” said Maida. “We are working towards a balanced framework that safeguards consumer rights while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry.”
According to the NCC, the new rules suggest that subscribers will be able to reclaim their unused airtime within 12 months of line deactivation, provided they can verify ownership.
Telecom operators are required to audit and document all unclaimed balances from inactive numbers and submit these reports to the Commission.
The unclaimed airtime cannot be refunded in cash, but must instead be offered through services such as voice, data, or other value-added options.
Telecom companies will have 90 days to comply with the new regulations, or they will face regulatory measures, including fines and audits.
In her address, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, stressed that the Draft Guidance is in line with global regulatory practices in markets such as the United States, the European Union, and India.
She also noted that the framework mandates telecom operators to launch consumer awareness campaigns and provide clearer information about forfeiture policies related to prepaid services.
“Proper management of consumer credit is becoming increasingly vital in today’s digital economy,” said Whyte. “This Draft Guidance ensures clarity, fairness, and regulatory certainty across the sector.”
The NCC reiterated that the framework is in line with its long-term objective of creating a consumer-centric and transparent communications ecosystem. Stakeholder feedback from the forum will be used to refine the final version of the Guidance, which is expected to be released later this year.