The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified that it has not banned or shut down airtime borrowing or data advance services in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission said reports suggesting a suspension of such services are incorrect.

The FCCPC explained that it has not issued any directive prohibiting consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services, including airtime and data advances.

It noted that the introduction of the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations in July 2025 followed concerns over consumer complaints related to charges, deductions, and service transparency.

According to the Commission, the regulations are designed to improve accountability in the sector by enforcing clearer disclosure of fees, responsible service practices, and stronger consumer protection standards.

The FCCPC added that the framework also aims to ensure proper registration of operators and improved 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”.

He added, “These measures benefit Nigerians by reducing abusive practices, improving transparency, strengthening consumer choice, and encouraging responsible innovation by legitimate operators. “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.”

Ijagwu noted that operators are expected to structure their commercial relationships in a manner consistent with Nigerian law. Commercial arrangements or outsourcing decisions do not displace competition and consumer protection obligations.

“At the commencement of the framework in July 2025, affected operators were granted an initial 90-day compliance period to regularise their products, structures, and operations.

“That opportunity was not utilised within the prescribed time frame, specifically in the telecom sector. The compliance window was subsequently extended until 5 January 2026, providing additional time for alignment with applicable requirements. Despite that further extension, the necessary compliance steps 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.

“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.

“It is inaccurate to attribute avoidable disruption to regulation where regulated entities had adequate notice and sufficient opportunity to comply. 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 FCCPC is fully committed to protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, encouraging responsible innovation, ensuring transparent digital financial practices, and working constructively with sector regulators and service providers in the public interest,” the statement added. (The Nation)

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