The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has calmed public concerns following widespread reports that airtime borrowing and data advance services have been banned in Nigeria, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The clarification is coming amid confusion triggered by a wave of newspaper publications and a viral anonymous social media post, which suggested that telecoms consumers would lose access to value-added services that allow them to borrow airtime or mobile data.
In a statement addressing the controversy, the FCCPC says: “The Commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services, and no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecoms value-added services.”
The regulator’s response is highlighting concerns over the rapid spread of misinformation in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, particularly when it affects essential telecoms services used by millions of subscribers.
At the centre of the misunderstanding is the introduction of the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025, a policy framework developed by the FCCPC to address rising consumer complaints in the digital lending and advance-services segment.
DEON Consumer Lending Regulations at the centre, FCCPC says
At the centre of the misunderstanding is the introduction of the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025, a policy framework developed by the FCCPC to address rising consumer complaints in the digital lending and advance-services segment.
According to the Commission, the complaints included “opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, poor disclosure standards, and inadequate accountability,” which it says have weakened consumer trust and raised concerns about fairness within the market.
Rather than banning services, the FCCPC explains that the regulations are aimed at “promoting a fairer and more transparent system” by mandating proper registration of service providers, full disclosure of fees and terms, accessible complaint resolution channels, and stronger safeguards for consumer data.
The Commission is also drawing attention to concerns within the telecoms sector, noting that some operators have engaged in “exclusionary third-party technical arrangements in clear disobedience” of existing competition laws.
Under the new framework, the FCCPC says it is seeking to open up the market to broader participation while addressing monopolistic tendencies and strengthening competition.
Despite these objectives, the rollout of the regulations has faced resistance from parts of the industry. The FCCPC reveals that telecoms operators were initially given a 90-day compliance window when the rules came into effect in July 2025.
The deadline was later extended to January 5, 2026, but the Commission says “the necessary compliance steps were still not completed by the relevant operators.”
Addressing reports of service disruptions, the regulator maintains that any changes experienced by consumers are not the result of regulatory action.
“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 Commission says.
The FCCPC is further alleging that the misinformation may be part of a coordinated effort to undermine regulatory reforms.
The Commission points to “some vested interests and their foreign collaborators” who it says are opposed to measures designed to strengthen consumer protection and fair competition, accusing them of engaging in “a campaign of disinformation.”
“It is inaccurate to attribute avoidable disruption to regulation where regulated entities had adequate notice and sufficient opportunity to comply,” the FCCPC says, adding that “attempts to misrepresent temporary service inconvenience as the result of lawful consumer regulation are mischievous.”
For telecoms consumers, the Commission says the immediate implication is that airtime borrowing and data advance services remain available, provided they are delivered in compliance with Nigerian law.
The FCCPC is urging Nigerians to “disregard false and misleading narratives” while reiterating its commitment 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 development is underscoring broader challenges in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital services landscape, where the expansion of telecoms-enabled financial services is increasing the need for regulatory oversight, consumer protection, and accurate public information.
As digital lending and advance-service models continue to grow within the telecoms ecosystem, the FCCPC’s intervention is signalling an ongoing effort to balance innovation with accountability while maintaining market integrity.
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