Nigerian Communications Commission has proposed a 12-month grace period for subscribers to retrieve unused airtime on deactivated lines.
This proposal was disclosed during a virtual stakeholder engagement forum held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, stated that the initiative aims to strike a balance between consumer rights and the operational realities of the telecommunications sector.
Maida emphasized that the telecommunications industry has played a crucial role in fostering economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation in Nigeria.
He noted that the widespread availability of mobile services and the flexibility of prepaid plans have benefited millions of Nigerians.
However, with the changing landscape, it has become essential to tackle emerging challenges that could jeopardize consumer rights.
He clarified that the proposed framework is designed to address the problem of unclaimed recharges when accounts are inactive.
Maida pointed out that the Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024 state that a prepaid line without a revenue-generating event for six months must be deactivated.
If the inactivity persists for another six months, the line may be recycled.
Maida said that the Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024 state that a prepaid line without a revenue-generating event for six months must be deactivated.
If the inactivity persists for another six months, the line may be recycled.
Maida added that the initiative aims to strike a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring the efficient operation of the telecommunications industry.
He said, “The debate remains whether operators should be required to refund unused airtime or whether the principle of ‘use it or lose it’ should prevail. Our goal is to establish a framework that protects consumers while ensuring the continued efficiency and competitiveness of the industry.”
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, stated that the Draft Guidance on Unutilised and Unclaimed Subscribers’ Recharges is a vital step in fulfilling the commission’s mandate to create regulatory instruments that support a vibrant communications market.
She said, “Firstly, establishing a 12-month window during which affected subscribers can claim unutilised recharges after their lines have been churned, provided they can verify ownership. This balances consumer rights with operational practicality.
“Secondly, requiring operators to conduct comprehensive audits of all churned numbers and submit detailed documentation of all unclaimed and unutilised recharges, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process.
“Thirdly, directing that unclaimed recharges cannot be monetised but must be made available through service options to the affected subscribers, including voice offerings, data plans, and value-added services on the primary network.”
Whyte stated that the issue of unutilised and unclaimed recharges on churned subscriber lines presents both a challenge for consumer protection and an opportunity for regulation.
She further added that the commission is dedicated to promoting a fair, transparent, and consumer-centric telecommunications environment.
