The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is developing new guidelines to address the issue of unclaimed and unused airtime on inactive mobile lines. This was revealed during a virtual stakeholder engagement held on April 8, 2025.
Speaking through the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the move is part of efforts to protect telecom consumers and bring clarity to how unclaimed airtime should be treated.
Under current rules, prepaid lines that remain inactive for 12 months can be deactivated and recycled. If subscribers do not reclaim their airtime within this period, they risk losing it. The new Draft Guidance proposes a clear 12-month window for subscribers to reclaim their unused balance—provided they can prove ownership.
Mrs. Chizua Whyte, NCC’s Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, explained that operators would be required to audit and report all unclaimed airtime, which cannot be refunded as cash but must be converted into services like voice or data plans.
She added that telcos would have 90 days to implement the new policy once approved, and failure to comply may attract sanctions. The NCC says this approach mirrors global best practices in the US, EU, and India, focusing on service options rather than cash refunds.
The Commission emphasized that consumer protection remains its top priority and urged stakeholders to contribute ideas that will strengthen the final policy.
