The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified that there is no ban on airtime borrowing or data advance services in Nigeria, insisting that reports suggesting a shutdown of such telecom offerings are inaccurate and misleading.
The Commission clarified via a statement that it has not issued any directive prohibiting consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services, including airtime and data advances.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, who emphasised that the Commission remains committed to ensuring consumer protection without restricting legitimate services.
According to the FCCPC, the introduction of the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations in July 2025 was prompted by rising complaints from consumers over charges, deductions, and lack of transparency in telecom credit services.
The Commission explained that the regulations are designed to improve accountability within the sector by enforcing clearer disclosure of fees, encouraging responsible service practices, and strengthening consumer protection standards.
It added that the regulatory framework also seeks to ensure proper registration of operators and enhance oversight of digital lending and related services.
“In the telecom sector, our findings indicated that some operators engaged in exclusionary third-party technical arrangements in clear disobedience to the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
The Regulations sought to unlock the market to allow local participants alongside foreign partners, in line with free market principles,” the statement said.
Ijagwu further stated that the measures introduced by the Commission are intended to benefit Nigerians by curbing abusive practices, improving transparency, strengthening consumer choices, and promoting responsible innovation among legitimate operators.
He also alleged that certain vested interests and their foreign collaborators are opposed to the reforms, accusing them of spreading disinformation to undermine efforts to create a fair and competitive market.
“We are aware that some vested interests and their foreign collaborators are opposed to the creation of safe markets and fair competition, therefore resorting to a campaign of disinformation,” he said.
The FCCPC maintained that operators are expected to structure their commercial relationships in compliance with Nigerian laws, stressing that outsourcing or commercial arrangements do not exempt them from competition and consumer protection obligations.
Providing further details, the Commission disclosed that when the regulatory framework came into effect in July 2025, affected operators were granted an initial 90-day compliance window to regularise their operations.
