The news:

• The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime from deactivated lines.​
• This initiative aims to enhance consumer rights and ensure subscribers can access their purchased credits even after line deactivation.​
• Telecom operators would be required to notify users about pending forfeitures and offer service-based redemptions, such as data or voice bundles, instead of cash refunds.​

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a draft framework proposing a 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime from deactivated lines. This initiative, announced during a virtual stakeholder engagement forum on April 8, 2025, aims to bolster consumer rights within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

Under the current regulations, a prepaid line that remains inactive for six months is subject to deactivation. If inactivity continues for an additional six months, the line may be recycled and assigned to a new user. The NCC’s new proposal seeks to address concerns regarding unclaimed recharges by granting subscribers a one-year window to retrieve their unused airtime, provided they can verify ownership of the deactivated line.

Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, represented by Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management Rimini Makama, emphasised the importance of balancing consumer protection with operational realities in the telecommunications industry. 

The proposed guidelines also stipulate that telecom operators must notify subscribers about impending airtime forfeitures and provide consumer education campaigns to enhance awareness. Additionally, the framework prohibits operators from monetising unclaimed airtime, mandating that redemptions be service-based, such as data or voice bundles, rather than cash refunds. ​

Chizua Whyte, Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, underscored the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the telecom sector. She noted that the draft guidance aims to ensure that subscribers maintain rightful access to their purchased credits while providing operators with clear responsibilities. 

With the sting of the 50% tariff hike still looming, this initiative represents a significant step toward appeasing subscribers and strengthening consumer rights in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.