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USSD Charges: Telcos threaten to withdraw services over banks’ misinformation

“If you do not wish to continue using USSD banking under this new model, you may choose to discontinue use of the USSD channel.”

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The telecom operators in Nigeria, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom and 9Mobile have threatened to withdraw network support for banks’ Unstructured Supplementary Services Data, USSD.

This follows what they described as gross misinformation of subscribers on the mode of deduction for transaction fees.

USSD, commonly known as ‘bank transfers’, is done through shortcodes on mobile phones.

Yesterday, the banks issued a notice to their customers that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed them to stop deducting charges for USSD transactions directly from customers’ accounts, and that telecoms will now deduct charges from users’ mobile airtime.

The notice from the banks read in part:

“In line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), please be informed that effective June 3, 2025, charges for USSD banking services will no longer be deducted from your bank account.

Going forward, these charges will be deducted directly from your mobile airtime balance in accordance with the NCC’s End-User Billing (EUB) model.

“Under this new billing structure, each USSD session will attract a charge of ?6.98 per 120 seconds, which will be billed by your mobile network operator.

“You will receive a consent prompt at the start of each session, and airtime will only be deducted upon your confirmation and availability of the bank to fulfil this service.

“If you do not wish to continue using USSD banking under this new model, you may choose to discontinue use of the USSD channel.”

However, in a swift reaction, the telcos under their umbrella body, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON said the banks’ notice is a gross misinformation deliberately hatched to suit their selfish interests.

Hence they threatened to withdraw network support to the banks’ USSD services.

Chairman of ALTON Engr Gbenga Adebayo told Vanguard: ” I don’t understand why the banks are twisting agreements and distorting information just to favour their selfish interests.

In the first place, the information wasn’t a directive from the NCC but a joint regulatory agreement between the NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN witnessed by the telcos and the banks.

The agreement was that if the banks finally cleared all USSD debts owed to the telcos by June 2, 2025, they would be free to migrate to the end-user billing method, so long as the model of migration is transparent and agreed upon by the telcos.

Source: Vanguard

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Dangote Refinery Debunks shutdown rumour, says PMS’s gantry price remains N850

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has firmly dismissed recent reports alleging a shutdown of its operations, reassuring the public and market stakeholders that its activities remain fully active and stable.

In an official statement by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s management categorically denied claims that truck loading has been suspended or that production has been interrupted. “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities” the statement reads.

The refinery also clarified that the intermittent sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO) is part of normal business operations, often involving large parcel sales, which explains the recent fuel oil tender.

According to the management, Dangote Petroleum Refinery consistently supplies over 40 million litres of PMS daily, alongside steady volumes of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel). These supplies continue unabated, despite speculation suggesting otherwise.

“As the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, the facility employs advanced predictive and preventive maintenance protocols to ensure uninterrupted operations. Routine maintenance activities are standard and do not impact the overall fuel supply” the statement further clarified.

In response to speculation about potential supply shortages and price increases, the refinery challenged those sponsoring the rumour to place orders for daily deliveries of up to 40 million litres of PMS and 15 million litres of diesel for the next 90 days.

“To those who believe this misinformation and anticipate a bullish market, we extend a challenge: We invite interested buyers to place immediate orders for up to 40 million litres of PMS daily and 15 million litres of AGO daily, for the next 90 days, with full upfront payment. Should any supposed supply shortage occur, these buyers would be well-positioned to benefit from the predicted market rise,” it added.

The refinery reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and Nigeria’s energy security, urging the public to disregard unfounded rumours sponsored by unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals seeking to undermine the country’s energy independence for their own selfish interests, including the importation of substandard fuels under the false pretext of domestic supply shortages.

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Ikeja Electric releases new prepaid meter prices

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Ikeja Electric has released updated prices for prepaid meters, which take effect from August 6, 2025. The revised rates cover both single-phase and three-phase meter types and are inclusive of VAT.

The revised rates were announced on the disco’s official X account on Friday.

The company announced that “MBH Power Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦135,987.50,  while the three-phase costs ₦226,825.00. Turbo Energy Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦145,608.75, while the three-phase costs ₦236,903.13.

“Aries Electric Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦145,125.00, and the three-phase costs ₦258,000.00. Mojec Asset Management Company Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦135,718.75, and the three-phase costs ₦226,825.00.

“Paktim Metering Nig. Ltd, the one-phase meter costs ₦137,600.00, while the three-phase meter costs ₦233,275.00. Holley Metering Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦133,854.03, three-phase meter costs ₦219,497.09.

“CIG Metering Assets Nigeria Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦150,500.00, New Hampshire Capital Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦133,300.00 and the three-phase costs ₦231,125.00.”

The electricity distribution company noted that the prices are “valid subject to meter availability,” adding that the changes are part of its effort to ensure customers have access to up-to-date information on meter procurement.

The company also assured customers that the new pricing reflects the latest approved rates for meter providers under its Meter Asset Provider scheme.

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Global electricity demand to keep growing robustly through 2026 despite economic headwinds – IEA

Renewables are expected to overtake coal as the world’s largest source of electricity as early as 2025 or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends.

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Global electricity demand is set to rise by 3.3% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026 – more than twice as fast as total energy demand growth over the same period, the IEA’s Electricity Mid-Year Update finds.

The new report underscores the increasing demand for electricity to power factories and appliances, keep buildings cool, operate growing fleets of data centres, run electric vehicles and more.

While the latest forecasts for global electricity demand growth this year and next are a deceleration from the 4.4% surge recorded in 2024, they remain well above the 2015-2023 average of 2.6%.

Renewables are expected to overtake coal as the world’s largest source of electricity as early as 2025 or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends.

At the same time, nuclear power output is expected to reach record highs, driven by reactor restarts in Japan, robust output in the United States and France, and new additions, mostly in Asia.

The steady increase in gas-fired power generation is set to continue displacing coal and oil in the power sector in many regions.

As a result of these developments, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation are currently forecast to plateau in 2025 and record a slight decline in 2026, although weather and economic conditions could affect that trajectory.

“The growth in global electricity demand is set to remain robust through 2026, despite an uncertain economic backdrop,” said Keisuke Sadamori, IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security.

“The strong expansion of renewables and nuclear is steadily reshaping electricity markets in many regions. But this must be matched by greater investment in grids, storage and other sources of flexibility to ensure power systems can meet the growing demand securely and affordably.”

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