The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified that it has not banned airtime borrowing or data advance services in Nigeria, responding to recent media reports suggesting otherwise.
In a statement issued by Director of Corporate Affairs Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC emphasized that no directive has been issued to prevent consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services. The clarification follows claims in certain sections of the Nigerian media alleging that the Commission had imposed a ban on such services.
Ijagwu described the reports as incorrect, explaining that the Commission’s actions are part of broader regulatory efforts aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the digital lending and advance-services market. In July 2025, the FCCPC introduced the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in response to widespread consumer complaints about opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, poor disclosure standards, and inadequate accountability among some service providers.
The regulations were designed to curb abusive practices, enhance market confidence, and promote a fairer system through mandatory registration, responsible lending conduct, clear disclosure of fees and terms, accessible complaint channels, data protection safeguards, stronger accountability for third-party partners, and effective regulatory oversight.
In the telecommunications sector, the FCCPC found that some operators had engaged in exclusionary third-party technical arrangements in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018. The Commission’s measures aim to open the market to both local and foreign participants in line with free market principles, benefiting Nigerian consumers through reduced abusive practices, improved transparency, stronger choice, and encouragement of responsible innovation.
Ijagwu noted that certain vested interests and their foreign collaborators have opposed the creation of safe markets and fair competition, resorting instead to disinformation campaigns. At the framework’s launch in July 2025, affected operators were given an initial 90-day compliance period to regularize their products, structures, and operations. When this was not utilized, particularly in the telecom sector, the compliance window was extended to January 5. Despite the extension, many telecom operators failed to register and regularize their services.
The FCCPC urged the public to disregard false and misleading narratives and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, encouraging responsible innovation, and ensuring transparent digital financial practices.
