NCC Proposes 12-month Grace To Reclaim Airtime On Deactivated Lines

WEDNESDAY April 9, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has proposed a 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime on deactivated lines.

The proposal was disclosed during a virtual stakeholder engagement forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said the initiative is part of efforts to balance consumer rights with operational realities in the telecommunications sector.

Maida said the telecommunications industry has played a significant role in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation in Nigeria.

According to him, the prevalence of mobile services and the flexibility offered by prepaid plans have benefitted millions of Nigerians.

However, with the evolving landscape, it has become necessary to address emerging challenges that could undermine consumer rights.

He explained that the proposed framework seeks to address the issue of unclaimed recharges when accounts become inactive.

He noted that the Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024 stipulates that a prepaid line without a revenue-generating event for six months must be deactivated.

If the inactivity continues for another six months, the line may be recycled.

He stated that under the new framework, subscribers whose lines have been churned would have a one-year window to claim their unused airtime, provided they can verify ownership.

Maida added that the initiative is geared towards balancing consumer protection with the practicalities of maintaining an efficient 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.”