The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed claims that it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, describing the reports as false and misleading.
FCCPC clears the air
In a statement, the Commission said it never issued any directive stopping Nigerians from accessing airtime or data advance services.
“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,” it stated.
The clarification comes amid widespread concerns following reports of service disruptions across telecom networks.
Why FCCPC stepped in
The Commission explained that its intervention was driven by growing complaints from consumers.
These include issues such as hidden charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery tactics, poor transparency, and weak accountability among service providers.
To address this, FCCPC introduced the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025.
The framework is aimed at improving transparency, ensuring proper registration, and protecting consumers from exploitative practices.
Operators blamed for disruptions
FCCPC noted that telecom operators were given a 90-day window to comply with the new regulations, which was later extended to January 5, 2026.
However, it said some operators failed to meet the requirements and continued operating outside the regulatory framework.
According to the Commission, any temporary suspension or disruption of services should be seen as a compliance decision by the companies, not a government ban.
“Any temporary suspension, restriction, or operational change introduced by service providers should therefore be understood as a business or compliance decision by those operators,” it said.
Allegations of misinformation
The Commission also alleged that misinformation around the issue may be driven by vested interests opposed to stricter regulation and fair competition.
It described attempts to blame the regulator as misleading, insisting that operators had enough time to comply with the rules.
FCCPC urged Nigerians to ignore false narratives and rely on verified information regarding telecom services.