In furtherance of its mandate of ensuring effective provision of qualitative communication services and protection of consumers’ interest, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved unified USSD codes for all mobile service providers in
Nigeria.
The NCC on Wednesday, March 15 issued directives to all mobile network operators (MNOs) to begin the implementation of the approved harmonised short codes (HSCs) so as to provide specific services to telecommunications customers.
To be begin with, The unifying shortcodes (HSC) will function across all mobile networks in the country.
Second, this means all mobile network services will be using the same customer care number, the same code for checking data balances, the same code for recharging phone lines and for other mobile network services.
Third, The code 996 will be used for verification of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration/NIN-SIM linkage.
Fourth, the shortcode 2442 will also work for Do-Not-Disturb (DND) unsolicited messaging complaint management.
Fifth, the common Code 3232 is also retained for porting services, popularly referred to as Mobile Number Portability.
The old and new unifying short codes will not be phased out completely up until May 17, 2023, when all networks are expected to have completely migrated to full implementation of the new codes.
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#
DND: 2442
Porting services: 3232
NIN Verification and NIN-SIM Linkage: *996#
The NCC set May 17, 2023 as the deadline for the transition to the new set of codes in order to end the regime of old short codes.
As a result, customers of Mobile Network Operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and 9mobile, will now transit to uniform short codes across all networks.
