The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has refuted claims that it prohibited airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, describing such reports as false and misleading.
In a statement released on Friday, the Commission clarified that it did not issue any directive banning telecom credit services, which are widely used by millions of subscribers across the country.
“The Commission has not banned airtime borrowing or data advance services. Any claim suggesting otherwise is incorrect and misleading,” the FCCPC said.
The clarification follows public concern sparked by viral social media posts and media reports alleging that the regulator had shut down telecom-based credit services. The confusion deepened after major operators, including Airtel and MTN Nigeria, announced the temporary suspension of these services.
However, the FCCPC explained that the disruption was not due to any regulatory ban but rather the failure of some telecom operators to comply with its Consumer Lending Regulations introduced in July 2025.
According to the Commission, the regulations were developed in response to rising consumer complaints about unfair practices in the digital lending space.
“We introduced the framework after receiving numerous complaints about hidden charges, unclear terms, and aggressive recovery methods by service providers,” the statement read.
The Commission noted that the rules were designed to promote transparency, accountability, and consumer protection by requiring proper disclosure of fees, responsible lending practices, and accessible complaint channels.
It also revealed that some telecom operators engaged in anti-competitive practices, particularly in their partnerships with third-party service providers.
“Our findings showed that certain operators adopted exclusionary arrangements that limited market access and violated fair competition principles,” the FCCPC stated.
The regulator said it had given affected operators an initial 90-day window to comply with the new rules, which was later extended to January 2026. Despite this, several companies failed to meet the requirements.
“Operators were given sufficient time to align with the regulations, but some did not take advantage of the opportunity,” it added.
The FCCPC emphasised that any decision to suspend airtime or data credit services lies with the operators themselves.
“Any restriction or suspension of these services should be seen as a business decision by non-compliant operators, not a ban imposed by the Commission,” it said.
The agency also accused certain interest groups of spreading misinformation to undermine regulatory reforms.
“There are deliberate efforts by vested interests to distort facts and create confusion among the public. Nigerians should rely on verified information,” the Commission warned.
Reaffirming its commitment to consumer protection, the FCCPC said it would continue to enforce compliance while encouraging innovation and fair competition within Nigeria’s telecom and digital finance sectors.
“A fair and transparent market benefits consumers and responsible operators alike. Compliance with the law is not optional,” the statement concluded.
