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 circulating on social media and in some media outlets as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, the commission clarified that it had not issued any directive preventing telecom operators from offering airtime credit or data advance services to subscribers.
The clarification followed widespread concern among Nigerians after viral social media posts suggested that the FCCPC had shut down the popular services used by millions of telecom subscribers across the country.
“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 said.
According to the FCCPC, recent disruptions experienced by some users are linked to non-compliance by certain telecom operators with the commission’s Consumer Lending Regulations introduced in July 2025.
The regulatory framework was introduced following a surge in complaints from consumers regarding opaque charges, unexplained deductions, poor disclosure standards, and aggressive recovery practices in the digital lending ecosystem.
The commission explained that the regulations were designed to improve transparency and accountability by requiring service providers to register properly and clearly disclose all applicable fees and terms to consumers.
The framework also seeks to strengthen consumer protection by ensuring the availability of accessible complaint channels and implementing safeguards to protect user data.
In addition, the FCCPC said it had identified anti-competitive practices by some telecom operators, including exclusionary agreements with third-party service providers, which violate existing competition laws.
The agency noted that operators were initially given a 90-day compliance window to meet the requirements and that the deadline was later extended to January 5, 2026.
However, the commission said several companies failed to fully comply with the regulatory provisions.
As a result, it explained that any temporary suspension or restriction of airtime borrowing or data advance services should be viewed as a business or compliance decision taken by the affected telecom operators rather than a directive from the FCCPC.
“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 statement added.
The commission also accused certain vested interests of spreading misinformation in an attempt to undermine regulatory reforms aimed at protecting consumers and promoting fair competition in the telecom sector.
Describing such narratives as “mischievous,” the FCCPC urged Nigerians to disregard unverified claims and rely only on official sources of information.
Airtime borrowing and data advance services have become widely used across Nigeria’s telecom market, enabling subscribers to obtain credit for calls and internet services with repayment automatically deducted once they recharge their lines.
Despite their popularity, the services have long faced criticism over hidden charges, automatic deductions, and unclear repayment conditions.
The FCCPC said its regulatory intervention aligns with broader efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen oversight of digital lending practices and protect consumers in Nigeria’s expanding telecom and fintech ecosystem.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible innovation, noting that all operators must comply fully with regulatory standards.
