The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed claims that it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, describing such reports as misleading.
The clarification follows recent concerns after MTN Nigeria announced the suspension of its airtime and data credit service, popularly known as Xtratime, citing compliance with the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional (DEON) consumer lending regulations introduced in 2025.
In a statement, the FCCPC stressed that it has not issued any directive prohibiting telecom operators from offering such services, nor has it restricted consumers from accessing lawful value-added telecom services.
According to the commission, its intervention was prompted by widespread consumer complaints, including hidden charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery tactics, and poor transparency in service terms.
To address these concerns, the FCCPC introduced the DEON regulations under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (2018), aimed at promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability in the digital lending space.
The agency explained that operators were given ample time to comply with the new rules, with deadlines extended to January 5, 2026. However, some providers failed to meet these requirements, leading to operational changes on their part.
FCCPC emphasized that any temporary suspension or restriction of services by telecom companies should be seen as internal compliance decisions, not a regulatory ban.
The commission also warned against the spread of misinformation, noting that inaccurate reports could undermine public confidence and distort understanding of regulatory efforts.
Reaffirming its commitment, the FCCPC stated that the regulations are designed to protect consumers, ensure proper disclosure of terms, strengthen data protection, and encourage fair competition within the telecom and digital lending sectors.
