LAGOS, Nigeria — Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) don announce say dem go increase SMS transaction alert fee from ₦4 to ₦6 per message. This new charge go take effect on Thursday, May 1, 2025, as stated in a notice to customers on Wednesday.
In di notice, GTBank explained say di increase na as a result of increase for telecom service charges wey dem don experience recently. “Dear valued customer, please be informed say effective Thursday, May 1, 2025, di SMS transaction alert fee go increase from ₦4 to ₦6 per message,” di bank write.
Dem also talk say di increase go affect all customers wey dey receive transaction alerts via SMS. Ecobank Nigeria also don announce similar increase, from ₦5 to ₦6 per message, on di same date. Both banks link di increase to di upward adjustment in telecom tariffs wey dem recently implement.
GTBank also emphasised di importance of SMS alerts for customers in monitoring dem accounts and keeping out fraud. “Kindly note say transaction alerts dey important as e go help you maintain control over activities for your account,” di bank state.
For customers wey no wan receive SMS alerts anymore, dem fit opt out by filling out di transaction alert preferences form wey dey available for di bank’s website. Di bank encourage customers to reach out for support via their dedicated customer service helplines.
Dis fee increase come amidst larger economic challenges in Nigeria, as inflation reach as high as 34.8% in 2025, while di naira continue to devalue. Dis overall financial pressure fit make di fee increase dey hard for many Nigerians wey rely on SMS alerts for financial updates.
In January 2025, di Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announce 50% increase in telecom tariffs, impacting SMS charges, voice calls, and data prices. Dem cap di increase at 50%, rejecting an attempt to enforce 100% hike by major telecom operators. Di restrictions aim to ensure affordability while still supporting di sustainability of di telecom sector.
Some consumers don express frustration over di new fees. Deolu Ogunbanjo, president of di National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), criticise di increase, calling it excessive. “Dis go affect everyone — from big industries to small businesses, like Point of Service (POS) operators,” Ogunbanjo state.
As Nigerians dey face higher banking and telecom service costs, many dey wonder if regulatory bodies go step in to help reduce fees for essential services. Di NCC don also promise to monitor service quality and ensure telecom operators make improvements wey go include better network coverage and clearer billing.
