The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has refuted claims that airtime borrowing and data advance services have been banned in Nigeria, describing such reports as false and misleading.
In a statement shared on its official 𝕏 platform, the Commission clarified that it has not issued any directive stopping Nigerians from accessing legitimate telecom value-added services.
According to the FCCPC, the confusion stems from regulatory measures introduced in July 2025 under the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations. These rules were implemented in response to a surge in consumer complaints about how digital lending and telecom advance services were being operated.
The Commission highlighted issues such as hidden charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive debt recovery tactics, poor transparency, and weak accountability across the sector.
It emphasized that the regulations were never intended to eliminate airtime or data advance services but to ensure fairness, transparency, and better consumer protection. Operators are now required to register properly, clearly disclose terms and charges, adopt responsible lending practices, and provide accessible complaint channels.
The FCCPC also noted that some telecom operators engaged in restrictive third-party arrangements, which violate provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, by limiting competition and market access.
Telecom companies were initially given 90 days to comply with the new framework, with the deadline later extended to January 5, 2026. However, some operators failed to meet the requirements and continued practices that had previously drawn consumer complaints.
Addressing reports of service disruptions, the Commission clarified that any suspension of airtime loans or data advances was not mandated by the regulator but rather a business or compliance decision made by the operators themselves.
The FCCPC warned against the spread of misinformation, suggesting that some parties may be deliberately misrepresenting the situation. It urged Nigerians to rely on verified information and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers while promoting a fair and competitive telecom market.