The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has denied reports claiming it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, clarifying that any disruption experienced by consumers is due to decisions taken by telecom operators.
The Commission said its attention was drawn to misleading media reports and viral social media posts suggesting that it had shut down or prohibited such services, describing the claims as false and inaccurate.
“Those claims are incorrect. 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 FCCPC stated.
According to the Commission, its intervention followed a surge in consumer complaints, including issues related to opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, poor disclosure standards, and weak accountability mechanisms among service providers.
To address these concerns, the FCCPC introduced the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025 to promote transparency, fairness, and responsible lending practices.
“The primary aim is to promote a fairer and more transparent system by mandating proper registration, responsible lending conduct, clear disclosure of fees and terms, and effective regulatory oversight,” the Commission explained.
The agency further disclosed that some telecom operators were engaged in exclusionary arrangements that violated provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
“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 law,” it added.
The FCCPC noted that operators were given an initial 90-day compliance window from July 2025, which was later extended to January 5, 2026, to regularise their operations, but some failed to comply.
It stressed that any disruption in services should not be attributed to 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 stated.
The agency also warned against misinformation, blaming vested interests for spreading false narratives.
“Attempts to misrepresent temporary service inconvenience as the result of lawful consumer regulation are mischievous. Nigerians deserve accurate information, not sensational claims,” it said.
The Commission reiterated that its actions are aimed at protecting consumers, improving transparency, and ensuring a fair and competitive market, while advising the public to disregard misleading reports regarding telecom services in the country.