The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has dismissed widespread claims that it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, describing the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement released via its official X handle and signed by the FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission clarified that it “has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services, and no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services.”
The FCCPC explained that the confusion stems from its DEON Consumer Lending Regulations, introduced in July 2025 to address growing complaints from consumers, including opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery methods, and poor disclosure practices among some service providers.
According to the Commission, the regulations were designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and fair competition in the digital lending and telecom sectors, not to eliminate services.
“Those claims are incorrect. The Commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services,” the FCCPC stated.
The agency added that its findings revealed certain telecom operators were operating exclusionary third-party arrangements in violation of the law. The new framework was therefore introduced to open up the market, allowing both local and foreign participants to compete fairly.
The FCCPC noted that operators were given ample time to comply, with an initial 90-day compliance window from July 2025 extended to January 5, 2026. However, some operators reportedly failed to regularise their services within the stipulated period.
“Any temporary suspension, restriction, or operational change introduced by service providers should therefore be understood as a business or compliance decision by those operators, not a ban imposed by the FCCPC,” the statement added.
The Commission accused “vested interests and their foreign collaborators” of spreading misinformation to undermine regulatory efforts aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring fair market practices.
The clarification follows the recent suspension of airtime and data borrowing services by Nigeria’s two major telecom operators, MTN and Airtel.
