FCCPC denies banning airtime borrowing, blames cartel for misinformation

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed widespread claims that it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, describing the reports as false and driven by vested interests seeking to mislead the public.

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In a statement issued on Friday, the commission said it neither cancelled nor prohibited such services, contrary to viral social media posts and some media reports suggesting otherwise.

“The Commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services, and no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services,” the statement read.

The FCCPC explained that its intervention in the sector stems from mounting consumer complaints over opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive debt recovery methods, and weak accountability among service providers offering digital lending and advance services.

To address these concerns, the agency introduced the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025. According to the commission, the framework was designed to sanitise the market, protect consumers, and promote transparency.

Under the regulations, service providers are required to register properly, disclose fees and terms clearly, establish accessible complaint channels, and adhere to data protection standards. The rules also impose stricter accountability on third-party partners and aim to strengthen regulatory oversight.

The commission further revealed that some telecom operators had engaged in exclusionary technical partnerships that violated provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018. These arrangements, it said, limited competition and shut out local participants.

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“The Regulations sought to open the market to allow local participants alongside foreign partners, in line with free market principles,” the FCCPC said.

Despite these provisions, the agency noted that several operators failed to comply within the initial 90-day window granted after the regulations were introduced. Even after an extension to 5 January 2026, some companies reportedly did not regularise their operations.

As a result, any temporary suspension or disruption of services experienced by consumers, the Commission said, should be attributed to the business decisions of non-compliant operators, not regulatory action.

“It is inaccurate to attribute avoidable disruption to regulation where regulated entities had adequate notice and sufficient opportunity to comply,” the statement added.

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The FCCPC accused unnamed interests, including foreign collaborators, of orchestrating a misinformation campaign to resist reforms aimed at creating a fair and transparent market.

While urging Nigerians to disregard misleading claims, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring responsible practices within the digital financial ecosystem.

“The FCCPC remains committed to promoting fair competition, encouraging responsible innovation, and ensuring transparent digital financial practices in the public interest,” it said.