The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially addressed the nationwide suspension of airtime borrowing services, clarifying that the disruption is a result of regulatory compliance rather than a government ban. The commission’s statement comes as millions of Nigerians find themselves unable to access emergency credit via major telecommunications networks like MTN and Airtel. The FCCPC emphasised that these services must now align with the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations of 2025 to ensure consumer safety.
The FCCPC, explained in a weekend briefing that the commission’s intervention is designed to bring transparency to the digital lending space. According to the statement the commission has not prohibited telecommunications companies from lending airtime but insisted that such activities fall under the same scrutiny as other digital loans. FCCPC noted that any service where value is advanced to a consumer with an expectation of repayment plus a fee must be registered and licensed to prevent exploitative practices.
The commission’s clarification follows a wave of complaints from subscribers who found the "borrow" features on their mobile menus disabled without prior warning. According to the FCCPC, the new regulations are intended to curb "unethical debt recovery processes" and ensure that interest rates—often disguised as service fees—are clearly disclosed to the user. The agency maintained that the current suspension is a choice made by the telecommunications operators to reorganise their internal processes and meet the legal requirements set out in the DEON framework.
The FCCPC also highlighted that it is working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure a smooth transition for the affected companies. Officials stated that as soon as the operators provide the necessary documentation and demonstrate compliance with data privacy and fair-lending standards, the services will be cleared for resumption. Until then, the commission advised consumers to use traditional top-up methods, reiterating that the goal of the oversight is to create a more accountable digital economy for all Nigerians.