Abuja: The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it did not ban airtime borrowing and data advance services in the country.
FCCPC, in a statement by Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, its Director, Corporate Affairs, said no directive had been issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services.
He was reacting in Abuja on Friday to some reports in some sections of the media alleging that the Commission had banned airtime borrowing and data advance services.
Ijagwu described the claim as incorrect.
FCCPC received many consumer complaints about unclear charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, poor disclosure, and accountability issues in digital lending and advance services. As a result, it issued the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025.
The regulations were introduced to curb the excesses of abusive service providers. Their past practices had caused persistent consumer harm and undermined market confidence.
”The primary aim is to promote a fairer and more transparent system by mandating proper registration, responsible lending conduct, and clear disclosure of fees and terms.
Other aims are accessible complaint channels, data protection, stronger partner accountability, and effective regulatory oversight, the Commission said.
In the telecommunications sector, their findings showed some operators engaged in exclusionary third-party technical arrangements.
These actions disobeyed provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
Ijagwu said the regulations sought to unlock the market and allow local participants alongside foreign partners, in line with free-market principles.
These measures benefit Nigerians by reducing abusive practices and improving transparency.
They also strengthen consumer choice and encourage responsible innovation by legitimate operators.
We know some vested interests and their foreign collaborators oppose safer markets and fair competition. They have resorted to a campaign of disinformation.
At the start of the framework in July 2025, affected operators had 90 days to comply and regularise their products, structures, and operations.
That chance was not used in time, especially by those in telecom.
”The compliance window was subsequently extended until January 5, but in spite of that further extension, necessary compliance steps were still not completed by the relevant operators,” he said.
Ijagwu said many telecom companies did not sign up or fix their services as required.
He urged consumers and members of the public to disregard false and misleading narratives on the issue.
The director said the FCCPC was committed to protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, encouraging responsible innovation, and ensuring transparent digital financial practices.
