The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has denied reports that the body directed the current ban on airtime and data borrowing services by Telco companies, attributing recent suspensions by telecom operators to business decisions rather than regulatory directives.
These services allow prepaid users to borrow airtime or data, repayable on recharge, a staple for millions of Nigerians facing economic pressures. FCCPC noted full compliance enables resumption, positioning regulated offerings as sustainable.
In a statement on April 16, 2026, Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, clarified that the commission issued no directive prohibiting these value-added telecom services. The controversy arose after MTN Nigeria and Airtel announced temporary halts to their airtime borrowing and data credit offerings, citing adherence to FCCPC’s consumer lending regulations under the Digital Economy and Online Network (DEON) framework introduced in July 2025.
Operators were granted a 90-day initial compliance window, extended to January 5, 2026, for regularizing products, structures, and operations. FCCPC emphasized that any restrictions reflect business choices by providers, not a commission-imposed shutdown. The reforms seek fairer, more transparent lending.
Ijagwu described misleading claims as “incorrect and mischievous,” allegedly fueled by vested interests opposing market protections. He urged consumers to disregard false narratives and affirmed FCCPC’s commitment to balancing innovation with consumer safeguards.
The clarification aims to restore public confidence amid speculation. As Nigeria’s digital economy grows, such frameworks ensure accountability while supporting telecom value added services.
