Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified that it did not ban airtime borrowing or data advance services, amid widespread confusion triggered by recent service disruptions across telecom networks.
Gatekeepers News reports that the commission said claims suggesting it prohibited such services are false and misleading, noting that no directive was issued to stop Nigerians from accessing these telecom credit facilities.
“The commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services, and no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services,” the statement read.
The clarification follows public concern after major telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria, temporarily suspended services like airtime and data credit (popularly known as Xtratime), sparking speculation that regulators had outlawed them.
However, the FCCPC explained that such disruptions are not the result of any ban but rather compliance-related decisions taken by service providers. It stressed that operators were required to align with its Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional (DEON) Consumer Lending Regulations introduced in July 2025.
The commission said the rules were introduced after a surge in consumer complaints involving hidden charges, unexplained deductions, poor disclosure of terms, and aggressive recovery tactics in the digital lending space.
Rather than restricting services, the regulations are designed to improve transparency and accountability by mandating proper registration, clear disclosure of fees, responsible lending practices, and accessible complaint channels for users.
FCCPC further noted that some telecom operators failed to meet compliance deadlines despite being given sufficient time, leading to temporary service suspensions on their part. It added that such actions should not be mistaken for regulatory enforcement.
“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,” the statement added.
The agency also warned against misinformation, accusing some vested interests of attempting to misrepresent regulatory efforts aimed at protecting consumers and promoting fair competition in Nigeria’s growing digital lending ecosystem.
