Millions of Nigerian telecom users may soon regain access to airtime and data credit services after court rulings halted enforcement actions tied to digital lending regulations.
Two separate Federal High Court decisions in Abuja and Lagos have temporarily restrained regulators and telecom operators from disrupting services linked to airtime lending platforms.
In Abuja, the court stopped MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited from restricting services provided to Nairtime Nigeria Limited, pending the outcome of an ongoing case.
The suit challenges actions connected to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025.
The court ordered that the status quo be maintained, preventing interference with services such as USSD, SMS, and billing platforms used by the company.
A similar ruling in Lagos restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from enforcing key provisions of the same regulations against members of the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria.
The disruption, which began in mid-April, affected millions of prepaid subscribers after telecom operators suspended airtime borrowing services, citing compliance with the new regulatory framework.
Industry players argue that the commission overstepped its authority, insisting that such services fall under the oversight of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
With the court orders now in place, stakeholders are hopeful that services will resume while legal proceedings continue.
