THE Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified that there is no ban on airtime borrowing or data advance services in Nigeria, insisting that reports suggesting a shutdown of such telecom offerings are inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria addressing growing public concern, the Commission said it has not issued any directive prohibiting consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services, including airtime and data advances.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, who emphasised that the Commission remains committed to ensuring consumer protection without restricting legitimate services.
According to the FCCPC, the introduction of the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations in July 2025 was prompted by rising complaints from consumers over charges, deductions, and lack of transparency in telecom credit services.
The Commission explained that the regulations are designed to improve accountability within the sector by enforcing clearer disclosure of fees, encouraging responsible service practices, and strengthening consumer protection standards.
It added that the regulatory framework also seeks to ensure proper registration of operators and enhance oversight of digital lending and related services.
“In the telecom sector, our findings indicated that some operators engaged in exclusionary third-party technical arrangements in clear disobedience to the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018. The Regulations sought to unlock the market to allow local participants alongside foreign partners, in line with free market principles,” the statement said.
Ijagwu further stated that the measures introduced by the Commission are intended to benefit Nigerians by curbing abusive practices, improving transparency, strengthening consumer choice, and promoting responsible innovation among legitimate operators.
He also alleged that certain vested interests and their foreign collaborators are opposed to the reforms, accusing them of spreading disinformation to undermine efforts to create a fair and competitive market.
“We are aware that some vested interests and their foreign collaborators are opposed to the creation of safe markets and fair competition, therefore resorting to a campaign of disinformation,” he said.
The FCCPC maintained that operators are expected to structure their commercial relationships in compliance with Nigerian laws, stressing that outsourcing or commercial arrangements do not exempt them from competition and consumer protection obligations.
Providing further details, the Commission disclosed that when the regulatory framework came into effect in July 2025, affected operators were granted an initial 90-day compliance window to regularise their operations.
However, it noted that the opportunity was not utilised within the prescribed timeframe, particularly within the telecom sector, prompting the extension of the compliance deadline to January 5, 2026.
Despite the extension, the Commission said the required compliance measures were still not completed by the relevant operators.
“Notwithstanding clear regulatory requirements, some operators chose to maintain the status quo by failing to register and regularise their services. In doing so, they continued operating monopolistic models that had long generated consumer complaints, including concerns relating to transparency, deductions, charges, and accountability,” the statement added.
The FCCPC stressed that any temporary suspension, restriction, or operational changes introduced by service providers should be seen as business or compliance decisions taken by the operators themselves, not as a directive from the Commission.
It described as inaccurate any attempt to attribute service disruptions to regulatory action, noting that operators had adequate notice and sufficient time to comply with the requirements.
“Attempts to misrepresent temporary service inconvenience as the result of lawful consumer regulation are mischievous. Nigerians deserve accurate information, not sensational claims. Consumers and members of the public are advised to disregard false and misleading narratives on this issue,” the Commission said.
Reaffirming its mandate, the FCCPC stated that it remains fully committed to protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, encouraging responsible innovation, ensuring transparent digital financial practices, and working collaboratively with sector regulators and service providers in the overall public interest.