“Smart SMS Command System: Banking Without Internet or USSD; Powered by SMS”
The recent rollout of the End User Billing (EUB) policy for USSD banking in Nigeria has sparked a nationwide backlash, as customers express frustration over unexpected airtime deductions and a perceived lack of transparency.
Under the new billing model, users are now charged directly from their mobile airtime—₦6.98 per session—each time they initiate a USSD transaction, including checking account balances or transferring funds. While the policy was jointly introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to resolve long-standing disputes between banks and mobile network operators (MNOs), it has instead ignited confusion and public outcry.
“I now pay before I even press send,” lamented Azuka Agbata, a petty trader in Enugu. “It’s like buying credit just to check my own money. That doesn’t feel right.”
Many users share similar sentiments, arguing that the direct deduction of airtime removes control from the consumer and burdens low-income earners who rely on USSD as their primary means of accessing banking services. Despite claims by the regulators that the model enhances transparency, the rollout appears to have caught many Nigerians off guard.
Searching for Alternatives
As frustrations mount, a quiet innovation is beginning to gain traction. The Ameh News has discovered a viable alternative to USSD: a Smart SMS Command System that enables basic banking services through structured text messages.
Unlike the USSD method, this system does not require integration with mobile network operators. Instead, it relies on standard SMS technology and backend integration with banks’ APIs to complete transactions. The process is simple: users send a command (e.g., SEND 5000 TO 0803XXXXXXX) via SMS to a designated number. The system verifies the phone number and PIN, processes the request, and responds with a confirmation message showing the transferred amount and updated balance.
Though slower and more expensive than other alternatives due to standard SMS charges, this method offers greater control and predictability. It works across all phone types, including basic feature phones, making it a practical solution for millions of Nigerians excluded from internet banking.
Regulatory Silence
Efforts to get a response from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on the growing complaints around airtime billing were unsuccessful as at press time. Consumer rights advocates have also called for improved communication from banks and telcos, urging them to clearly explain the billing changes and offer opt-in or opt-out options for USSD users.
Meanwhile, both the CBN and NCC insist that banks must no longer deduct USSD charges from customers’ accounts, and that only mobile operators can bill for the service, just like voice calls or SMS. They have also warned of sanctions for non-compliance.
What Comes Next?
With the public increasingly wary of opaque charges and surprise deductions, analysts believe that Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy must now accommodate alternative access models. The Smart SMS Command System may not be perfect, but it offers a measure of control and simplicity that many feel has been lost in the USSD era.
As the USSD drama unfolds, Nigerians are making their voices heard, and increasingly, they are looking for ways to take back control of their financial transactions, one SMS at a time.
Benefits of the usage:
Digital inclusion for underserved Nigerians
Supports CBN’s financial inclusion goals
Reduces telco-bank friction over USSD
Empowers millions with reliable banking access
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