The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime on mobile lines that have been deactivated. The proposal was introduced during a virtual stakeholder forum in Abuja on Tuesday.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, stated that the initiative is designed to balance consumer rights with the operational needs of the telecommunications sector.
Maida acknowledged the significant impact of the telecommunications industry on Nigeria’s economic development, financial inclusion, and digital transformation. He emphasized the role of mobile services and prepaid plans in benefiting millions of Nigerians but noted that emerging challenges must be addressed to protect consumer rights.
The proposed framework specifically targets unused airtime that remains unclaimed when accounts are inactive. According to the Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024, a prepaid line becomes inactive after six months of no revenue-generating activity and is subsequently deactivated. If inactivity continues for another six months, the line may be recycled.
Under the new proposal, subscribers with deactivated lines would have up to 12 months to reclaim any unused airtime, provided they can verify ownership of the line. Maida explained that this approach seeks to safeguard consumers while ensuring the telecommunications industry remains efficient.
“The ongoing debate centers on whether operators should refund unused airtime or apply a ‘use it or lose it’ policy,” Maida said. “Our goal is to establish a framework that protects consumers while promoting sector efficiency.”
During the forum, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, discussed the Draft Guidance on Unutilized and Unclaimed Subscribers’ Recharges, which forms a key part of the NCC’s regulatory efforts. She outlined several provisions of the draft, explaining that the 12-month window would allow subscribers to reclaim unused airtime on deactivated lines, as long as they can provide proof of ownership.
The guidelines also require telecom operators to conduct audits of churned numbers and submit documentation on unclaimed recharges, ensuring transparency. Furthermore, unclaimed airtime would not be converted into cash but made available through service options like voice, data plans, or value-added services within the same network.
Whyte highlighted that unutilized airtime on churned lines presents both a challenge for consumer protection and an opportunity for clearer regulations. The proposal ensures subscribers retain access to their purchased credits while providing operators with clearer regulatory direction.
Operators will be required to comply fully within 90 days of the guidance being issued, along with launching an extensive consumer education and notification campaign.
This initiative aligns with international practices in countries like the United States, the European Union, and India, where transparency and alternative service options are prioritized over cash refunds. Whyte concluded by reaffirming the NCC’s commitment to fostering a fair, transparent, and consumer-focused telecommunications environment, encouraging stakeholder input in shaping the final regulatory framework.
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