FCCPC Denies Banning Airtime and Data Borrowing Services

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a statement clarifying that there has been no ban on airtime or data borrowing services across Nigeria. This clarification comes in the wake of MTN Nigeria's recent suspension of its 'Xtratime' service, a move the telecom giant linked to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional (DEON) consumer lending regulations of 2025.

The FCCPC introduced the DEON regulations in July 2025 with the objective of establishing a framework that promotes transparency and ethical practices in loan recovery. These regulations specifically address consumer complaints concerning hidden charges and aggressive debt collection methods.

Although the commission had set January 5, 2026, as the final compliance deadline, it asserts that any current interruptions in these services stem from the independent business choices of operators who did not align their operations with the new guidelines within the stipulated timeframe.

The commission emphasized that the core objective of the DEON regulations is to cultivate a more equitable market by mandating safeguards for data protection and ensuring the clear disclosure of all fees.

"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.

The FCCPC further explained that its engagement with the telecommunications sector was prompted by numerous consumer grievances. These complaints detailed issues such as opaque charges, unauthorized deductions, aggressive recovery tactics, and inadequate disclosure of service terms.

These market abuses, according to the commission, necessitated the implementation of the Digital Economy and Online Lending (DEON) consumer lending regulations in July 2025.

"The regulations were introduced to curb the excesses of abusive service providers whose practices had generated persistent consumer harm and undermined confidence in the market," the FCCPC stated. "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, accessible consumer complaint channels, data protection safeguards, stronger accountability for third-party partners, and effective regulatory oversight."