The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has firmly rejected claims circulating online that it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, describing such reports as inaccurate and misleading.
The clarification was issued in an official statement posted on the Commission’s X account. The statement, signed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, sought to correct what the agency described as a growing wave of misinformation.
According to the FCCPC, no directive has been issued to stop telecom operators from offering airtime loans or data advance options to customers. The Commission emphasized this point clearly, stating that it “has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services, and no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services.”
To further dispel the claims, the agency reiterated: “Those claims are incorrect. The Commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services.”
The Commission explained that the confusion likely stems from its DEON Consumer Lending Regulations, which were introduced in July 2025. These regulations were designed in response to a surge in consumer complaints involving unfair practices in digital lending and telecom services.
Among the issues raised by consumers were unclear charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery tactics, and inadequate disclosure of terms by some providers.
The FCCPC noted that its intervention was aimed at improving transparency, strengthening accountability, and ensuring a level playing field not eliminating existing services.
As part of its findings, the Commission also identified certain practices by telecom operators that restricted market competition, including exclusive arrangements with third-party providers. These practices, it said, were inconsistent with fair competition laws.
To address this, the FCCPC introduced a framework intended to open up the market to broader participation, allowing both local and international players to compete more fairly.
Operators were given sufficient time to comply with the new rules. The Commission initially provided a 90-day compliance window starting from July 2025, which was later extended to January 5, 2026. Despite this extension, some providers reportedly failed to fully align with the regulatory requirements.
The FCCPC made it clear that any recent service disruptions should not be mistaken for regulatory enforcement. As the statement explained: “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 agency also took a swipe at what it described as deliberate attempts to mislead the public, accusing “vested interests and their foreign collaborators” of spreading false narratives to weaken ongoing regulatory reforms.
Nigerians were advised to rely on verified information and avoid sensational claims, as the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers, promoting transparency, and supporting responsible innovation in the telecom and digital finance sectors.
The clarification comes in the wake of recent service suspensions by major telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria, which had sparked speculation about a possible regulatory ban.
