Customers of telecoms giant MTN Nigeria have experienced disruptions in USSD and other banking-linked services over the last few days, due to a standoff between MTN and commercial banks regarding commission and service charges.
The disconnection has prompted MTN to offer alternative electronic payment platforms for customers to recharge airtime and access services.
MTN Offers Alternative Recharge Options
In a statement released on Saturday, April 3, 2021, MTN’s Senior Manager for External Relations, Funso Aina, announced the launch of various platforms through which customers can recharge their lines.
“For the benefit of our customers who have been greatly inconvenienced by the service suspension, we now have alternative channels of accessing MTN services electronically,” the statement read.
The telecom provider listed the following platforms:
- MTN On Demand: *904# or via Flutterwave Portal
- Barter by Flutterwave (Mobile App)
- Jumia Pay (App)OPay (App)
- MTN Xtratime Airtime Loans: *606#
- Carbon (App)Kuda (App)
- BillsnPay (App & Web)
- myMTN Web Portal
- MoMo Agent Recharge: *223#
These apps are available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Background of the Dispute
The row began after commercial banks reportedly demanded a reversal to the previous commission structure, threatening to withdraw MTN airtime services from their platforms if not met.
Subsequently, all commercial banks (except Zenith Bank) disconnected MTN services from their USSD and mobile banking platforms, leaving many customers stranded—particularly during the Easter holiday period.
Federal Government Intervenes
In response to the situation, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, intervened in an effort to mediate and restore services.
Negotiations were reportedly ongoing at the time to reach a resolution that benefits both telecom operators and financial institutions, while safeguarding consumer access to mobile services.
