🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
FCCPC denies banning airtime borrowing, blames operators for service disruptions
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission FCCPC has refuted claims that it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, labeling such reports as false and misleading. This clarification follows public concern sparked by social media posts and media reports suggesting the Commission had halted telecom credit services. Airtel and MTN Nigeria had announced temporary suspensions of their airtime and data credit services. The FCCPC, through its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, stated that no such directive was issued and consumers can still access lawful telecom value-added services. The Commission attributed service disruptions to certain operators' failure to comply with its Consumer Lending Regulations, introduced in July 2025. These regulations were developed due to numerous consumer complaints regarding opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, and inadequate accountability in digital lending and advance services. The framework aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and fair competition by mandating proper registration, responsible lending, clear disclosure of fees, accessible complaint channels, and data protection. The FCCPC also found that some operators engaged in anti-competitive practices, including exclusionary arrangements with third-party service providers, in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018. Despite granting operators an initial 90-day compliance
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadA baby factory operating in Okuju, Ilado, Badagry, Lagos, has been uncovered by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos Command. Newborns were allegedly sold for up to N1 million, and during an overnight raid, officials rescued 18 pregnant women and 10 children, arresting two suspects, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu. Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released 632,788 results for candidates who took the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Thursday, April 16. In other news, families of over 1,000 abducted Nigerians are facing despair as their relatives remain captive across the country. The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has released four policemen and a developer accused of killing six traders in Owode Onirin, Kosofe. The Nigeria Police Force has also dismissed claims that the extradition of murder suspect Matthew Adebiyi to the United Kingdom was ethnically motivated. Finally, global oil market tensions may be easing with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, potentially leading to a decrease in petrol prices in Nigeria to around N1,000 per liter, though immediate relief is not expected.
Maria Abdulkadir, CEO and founder of Bon Bread, explained the company's decision to take legal action against a TikTok user. The lawsuit follows a viral video where the user, identified as "Love," expressed concern over a loaf of bread that she claimed remained fresh for two months after purchase. The TikToker later alleged that Bon Bread served her a N50m lawsuit, despite her claim of not mentioning any company name or displaying a logo in the video. Abdulkadir stated that the company resorted to legal action after attempts to engage the content creator and verify the claims reportedly failed, leading to reputational damage. She mentioned trying to contact the TikToker to understand the source of the bread and how it could have lasted two months, but was unsuccessful. Abdulkadir maintained that their bread, which is freshly baked and typically does not last beyond a few days without preservatives, could not remain fresh for such a period. She added that the legal action was not to intimidate but to compel substantiation of the allegations. Social media reactions from Nigerians varied, with some cautioning about bread quality and others debating the legal implications, particularly regarding defamation even without explicit brand naming.
Must ReadOperatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, have uncovered a baby factory in Okuju, Ilado, Badagry, Lagos. The operation led to the rescue of 18 pregnant women and 10 children, and the arrest of the facility's operators, Joy Okeke and Raphael Agwu. The victims, aged 18 to 30, reportedly subscribed to the facility through an offer on Facebook. Upon delivery, their children were sold for N500,000 to N1.8 million, with the mothers receiving payment. Some rescued women had also brought their existing children to be sold. Commandant Adedotun Keshinro stated that the NSCDC acted on three weeks of intelligence, describing the operation as targeting a "grievous crime against humanity." The operators allegedly entice pregnant women with offers of payment for their babies. One of the 18 rescued women had a miscarriage, leaving 17 still pregnant. The operators will be handed over to the police for prosecution, and the victims to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. Okeke, the chief operator, claimed she adopted children for childless individuals and had moved from Ikorodu for a larger apartment. Agwu stated that the center offered an alternative to abortion and helped childless couples, with agents on online groups proposing the arrangement. He mentioned that women came to the facility already pregnant and signed agreements for their babies to be sold in exchange for compensation, often around N1 million. The women claim
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