The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has denied banning airtime and data borrowing services, shifting the blame for the current suspension to telecommunications operators who failed to regularize their services within a provided 90-day grace period.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially denied banning or cancelling airtime and data borrowing services, placing the responsibility for the recent suspension of these features squarely on the service providers. In a statement released on Friday, April 17, 2026, by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission clarified that the disruption to these popular services is a result of business decisions made by operators rather than a government-mandated prohibition. The FCCPC emphasized that “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.”
According to the Commission, telecommunications firms were well aware of the new regulatory requirements for digital lending which took effect in July 2025. Ijagwu explained that affected operators were granted an initial 90-day compliance window to align their products, structures, and operations with Nigerian law, an opportunity the Commission claims was largely ignored by the telecom sector. Instead of regularizing their services, the FCCPC alleged that some operators opted to maintain the status quo. The Commission noted that these firms continued “operating monopolistic models that had long generated consumer complaints, including concerns relating to transparency, deductions, charges, and accountability.”
The FCCPC further criticized the narrative being shared by telecom giants like MTN and Airtel, asserting that it is inaccurate to blame regulation for disruptions when entities had adequate notice and opportunity to comply. The statement also leveled a serious accusation against unidentified “vested interests and their foreign collaborators,” alleging they are orchestrating a campaign of disinformation to oppose fair competition and safe market practices. Moving forward, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible innovation and transparent digital financial practices, stating it will continue to work “constructively with sector regulators and service providers in the public interest.”
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