Why failed airtime top-ups in Nigeria will now be refunded in 30 seconds
TechCabal | 09.01.2026 12:06
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will introduce a new consumer protection framework that mandates near-instant refunds for failed airtime and data transactions, from March 1, 2026. Under the proposed rules, subscribers who are debited without receiving value will be entitled to a refund within 30 seconds, a move aimed at addressing one of the most persistent complaints in Nigeria’s digital services ecosystem.
