Business
NCC Issues 90-Day Deadline For Telcos To Audit Unclaimed Airtime
By Benjamin Abioye
The NCC has given MTN, Glo, Airtel, and other telcos 90 days to audit unclaimed airtime and ensure consumer protection.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) held a forum on Tuesday with stakeholders to address growing concerns about unclaimed and unused airtime by telecom subscribers.
This meeting was part of a regulatory effort to protect telecom consumers while also providing clarity for service providers.
Aminu Maida, the executive vice-chairman of the NCC, highlighted the need for a balanced approach that safeguards consumer rights while supporting the growth of the telecom sector. Represented by Rimini Makama, the executive commissioner for stakeholder management, Maida emphasized the importance of developing policies that prioritize consumer protection and promote a competitive market.
“As the telecommunications sector continues to advance, we must address emerging issues, such as the status of prepaid balances on inactive lines,” Maida said. The discussion mainly focused on a proposed framework for managing unused airtime on accounts that have been inactive for over 12 months. Under the draft regulations, subscribers will be given a 12-month grace period to reclaim their unused airtime, provided they can verify ownership of the credits.
Chizua Whyte, the head of legal and regulatory services at the NCC, spoke about the commission’s role and the need for transparency and accountability in the telecom industry. “This draft ensures that subscribers retain access to their purchased credits, while operators gain clarity on their responsibilities,” Whyte explained. The new guidelines also prevent the monetization of unclaimed airtime, instead encouraging service-based redemptions such as data or voice bundles.
The commission has outlined that telecom operators must inform subscribers about the policies regarding airtime forfeiture. Furthermore, Whyte emphasized the importance of consumer education to ensure that users are well-informed about these policies.
Additionally, the NCC has given telecom operators a 90-day period to conduct audits of churned accounts and report unclaimed balances. Penalties will be imposed on operators who fail to comply. The NCC aims to complete the final audit reviews within 10 days after the compliance period ends.
The forum also underscored the importance of aligning with international best practices. Countries like the U.S., the EU, and India have adopted transparent approaches, offering alternatives to cash refunds for unclaimed balances. This forum is part of a broader initiative by the NCC to improve billing transparency, foster consumer trust, and ensure clear regulations in the telecom sector.
The event was attended by mobile network operators, consumer advocacy groups, legal professionals, and other industry stakeholders.
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