The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed plans to allow customers to access airtime on deactivated lines within 12 months.
The commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement forum held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Maida, also the CEO of the NCC, was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama. Maida acknowledged the contribution of telecommunication companies to the economic growth of the country.
The CEO emphasized that the telecommunications sector has been pivotal in fostering economic development, promoting financial inclusion, and facilitating digital transformation in Nigeria. Additionally, many Nigerians have benefitted from the widespread of mobile services and the flexibility offered by prepaid plans.
On the other hand, the evolving landscape has made it critical to address the arising challenges that could encroach on consumers’ rights. According to Maida, this proposal is part of initiatives to balance consumer rights with the functional validities in the telecommunications sector.
He explained that the proposed framework aims to address the issue of unclaimed recharges when consumers’ accounts become inactive.
Maida noted that the 2024 Quality-of-Service Business Rules require service providers to deactivate a prepaid line after six months of no revenue-generating activity. If the inactivity persists for another six months, they may recycle the line.
However, according to the newly suggested framework, subscribers who have had their lines churned would be granted one year to reclaim their unused airtime, as long as they can prove ownership.
Furthermore, the CEO highlighted that the initiative aims for a balance between consumer protection and a sustainable telecommunications sector.
New initiative promises accountability and transparency in telecommunications sector
Echoing Maida’s point, the Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, Mrs Chizua Whyte, noted that the initiative is a critical step in fulfilling the commission’s mandate to foster a vibrant communications market.
Whyte mentioned that the draft guidelines also require network providers to conduct comprehensive audits on all deactivated numbers. Also, they must submit detailed documentation of all unclaimed and unutilized recharges for transparency and accountability.
Another provision of the Draft Guidance on Unutilized and Unclaimed Subscribers’ Recharge also prohibits the monetization of unclaimed airtimes. Instead, affected subscribers would have access to them through services such as voice offerings, data plans, and value-added services.
Whyte confirmed that the initiative aligns with global best practices from the US, EU, and India, prioritizing transparency and alternative service options over cash refunds.
She also noted that the commission expects operators to fully comply within 90 days of the guidance’s release, along with consumer education and notification requirements.
