NCC’s New Unified USSD Codes As Adopted By Mobile Network Providers In Nigeria

Telecommunications operators have adopted the Nigerian Communications Commission’s approval of a Unified Unstructured Supplementary Service Date, USSD, for all mobile networks in the Country.

The development comes against the Nigerian Communications Commission’s approval of Unified USSD codes for all mobile networks in Nigeria.

The implementation commenced on May 18, 2023.

In perspective, the unified USSD becomes the only way to recharge(purchase airtime) and check mobile networks.

In March 2023, the commission informed all concerned parties to migrate and fully implement the Unified USSD codes by May 17, 2023.

It is because once the harmonised shortcodes (HSC) for all mobile networks kick off, that will be the only way to recharge or check Balance on all mobile networks.

Implication

For instance, as an MTN subscriber, you can no longer recharge your line using the regular MTN codes *555# and *556#. Same is the case for Glo, Airtel, 9mobile.

Furthermore, it also means that any mobile network provider be it MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9mobile, or any other, that fails to migrate will not be able to serve its customers.

It also means that all mobile network services will use the same customer care number, the same code for checking data balances and the same code for credit recharge.

What is the Unified USSD

Below is a list of the Unified USSD codes for all mobile networks in Nigeria:

Call Centre: 300

Borrow Services: *303#

Stop Service: *305#

Check Balance: *310#

Credit Recharge: *311#

Data Plan: *312#

Data plan balance: *323#

Share Services: *321#

What USSD remains unchanged?

It is, however, important to mention that the commission will not change some codes and their functions; these codes are

DND: 2442, Porting services: 3232, NIN Verification and NIN-SIM Linkage: *996#