Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved unified Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes for all mobile networks in Nigeria. The harmonized shortcodes (HSC) will work across all mobile networks in the country.
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 credit recharge, etc.
The code 996, is now for verification of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration/NIN-SIM linkage.
The Code 2442, is retained for Do-Not-Disturb (DND) unsolicited messaging complaint management.
The common Code 3232, is also retained for porting services, otherwise called Mobile Number Portability.
The old and new harmonised short codes will run concurrently up till May 17 2023, when all networks are expected to have fully 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#
Meanwhile, NCC gave May 17, 2023 as the deadline for mobile network operators to implement the approved short codes even as it explained that the unified numbers and the existing short codes for each network number will run concurrently till a year when they will be phased out.
Via a short message, MTN Nigeria has encouraged their customers to start using the new USSD code for their convenience.
“Dear Customer, this is to inform you of a change in our recharge activation code. You can now recharge your lines using *311*rechargepin# instead of *555*rechargepin#. We encourage you to start using the new code for your convenience. Thank you for choosing MTN”, the statement read.
