MTN finally clears air on customers’ debt cancellation

In a surprising turn of events, MTN Nigeria found itself in the midst of a controversy over the weekend as reports emerged of system glitches leading to the cancellation of debts for some of its subscribers. The telecommunications giant, which boasts millions of users across the country, took swift action to address the issue and provide clarity to its customer base.

On Saturday, MTN Nigeria subscribers were taken aback when they discovered that their outstanding debts had seemingly disappeared. The unexpected debt cancellation left many users puzzled and curious about what had transpired. Reports of the glitch spread rapidly on social media platforms, with users sharing their experiences and speculations about the situation.

Recognizing the urgency of the matter, MTN Nigeria promptly released an official statement addressing the system glitch and the subsequent debt cancellations. In the statement, the telecommunications company acknowledged the technical issue within its system that led to the unintended cancellation of certain subscribers’ debts. MTN assured its customers that the glitch was an isolated incident and not a deliberate act.

The company’s spokesperson, in an interview, stated, “We are aware of the recent system glitch that resulted in the cancellation of debts for some of our subscribers. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Our technical team has been working tirelessly to rectify the issue and prevent any recurrence.”

Subscribers believed the telecom operator deliberately cancelled their debt
MTN confirmed a system glitch

MTN Nigeria informed its subscribers of system glitches which ‘cancelled’ the debts of some of the users.

By implications, subscribers who had taken airtime or data loans from MTN may have to pay back the debt on their accounts as the initial debt cancellation was due to an error in the MTN system.

This is even as subscribers, who believed the telecom operator deliberately cancelled their debts, have gone to social media to jubilate and appreciate the telecom company.

Meanwhile, a response from MTN reads:

“System glitch impacting balance enquiries

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc can confirm a system glitch impacting balance inquiries. As a result, some customers may receive error messages showing that their balances have been cleared.

This is not the case, and all balances will reflect accurate figures once the problem is resolved. Our engineers are currently working to ensure this.

Please accept our apologies. We regret the inconvenience.

Thank you”.

This shows that users would still be responsible for paying the ostensibly cleared bills even after MTN fixes the problem that caused the debts to vanish from their accounts.

Meanwhile, MTN MonMo has shared $10,000 to the persons who won the first edition of its hackathon in Lagos.

Christened MTN MoMo Hackathon, the grand prize of $5,000 went to Oluwapelumi Yusuf emerging for inventing Rova Pay which incorporates MoMo APIs with features that transcend payment processing.

Rova Pay offers customers the convenience of making transactions anytime and anywhere using automated USSD, which eliminates the need for internet services and manual code dialing.

Also, Marvis Igbokwe partnered with Favour Ajie Divine to develop MoMo Cash, coming in second place with a cash prize of $3,000 while Isaac Odinaka Franklin’s solution, Clique Plus Pay, won third place with a cash prize of $2,000.

The event which was held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos, attracted tech developers, entrepreneurs, and innovators from various sectors, and focused on developing solutions to accelerate financial inclusion and digitization of payments in Africa.

Speaking on the importance of the MoMo Hackathon in the fintech industry, Chief Commercial Officer, MoMo PSB, Elsa Muzzolini, said: “At MoMo, we stand firm in our belief that innovation thrives not just within our brand, but within the collective of stakeholders. That is why we are equipping developers with the tools and resources necessary to expedite reaching individuals who are excluded from financial access or believe that financial services are not tailored to their needs.

“Our commitment to fostering financial inclusion is a collaborative effort. By making MoMo accessible to innovators across Nigeria, we enable them to leverage its full potential in developing applications that hold the power to transform lives.”

Upon receiving his prize, an excited Yusuf said: “I am thrilled and honoured to have won the MoMo Hackathon 2023. My motivation for conceiving this solution was born during my visits to rural communities in Nigeria, where I witnessed the limitations imposed by the need for internet connectivity to access basic applications, particularly for payment purposes. I recognised the need to bridge this gap and support financial inclusion.”

In addition, the top 12 participants received gifts and an invitation to the Pan African grand finale to represent Nigeria in the MoMo Hackathon.

The hackathon provided a unique opportunity for developers across 14 African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Rwanda, Eswatini, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea Conakry, Zambia, Benin, Liberia, South Africa, and South Sudan to further shape the future of digital finance and empower millions of people with access to comprehensive and life-changing financial services.

MoMo Hackathon continues to be a driving force in the advancement of financial technology, creating opportunities for talented individuals to make a meaningful impact on the industry.