🇳🇬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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President Bola Tinubu praised the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund MREIF for providing N128bn in affordable mortgages to 1,859 families across 25 states. He highlighted this achievement as evidence that effective policy frameworks can enable home ownership for many Nigerians previously excluded from the market. The beneficiaries, from all six geopolitical zones, received mortgages for up to 20 years at a fixed interest rate of 9.75 percent annually, with a minimum 10 percent equity contribution, terms largely unavailable in Nigeria for nearly six decades. Tinubu noted that this progress by MREIF demonstrates that with appropriate policies, strong institutions, and partnerships, access to home ownership can be expanded, allowing more Nigerians to build wealth through asset ownership. Beyond the disbursed mortgages, MREIF has generated N221bn in total property value and supported the delivery of 475 housing units through off-take guarantee arrangements. The average mortgage beneficiary is 42 years old, reflecting demand among working-age Nigerians who have historically lacked long-term housing finance. MREIF is a N1tn housing finance platform, with a pilot phase of N250bn in concessionary and commercial funding, sponsored by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and managed by ARM Investment Managers. Its Series 2 commercial issuance holds AAA and AA ratings from Agusto & Co. and GCR Ratings. Tinubu stated that MREIF complements the Renewed Hope Citie
Must ReadKingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has resigned from his position, concluding nearly three years of leading opposition lawmakers in the 10th House. Chinda, who represents the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State under the Peoples Democratic Party, announced his resignation in a letter dated April 23, 2026, which was read in the House on Tuesday by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. His resignation occurs amidst political realignments in Rivers State and weeks after he participated in the All Progressives Congress screening committee alongside other loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Although Chinda has not formally announced his resignation from the PDP, his involvement in the APC screening process has led to speculation about his political future and a possible defection to the ruling party. In his letter, Chinda thanked his colleagues for their support and affirmed his commitment to his legislative duties as a member of the House. Chinda became Minority Leader in June 2023 and played a key role in articulating the opposition's stance on national issues. His resignation is the latest development in the political reshaping of Rivers State, where alliances have significantly shifted. Chinda has been a prominent political associate of Wike, whose influence continues to shape the state's political landscape. The resignation is expected to prompt consultations a
The Norwegian Football Federation NFF announced on Tuesday that it has requested FIFA's ethics committee to investigate the world football governing body's decision to award a peace prize to US President Donald Trump. FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural peace prize during the December 6 draw for the 2026 World Cup. Later that month, human rights organization FairSquare filed a complaint with FIFA's ethics committee, alleging that Infantino violated his duty of neutrality by supporting Trump. FIFA has not disclosed the criteria for the peace award, which was given while Trump and his administration were actively seeking the Nobel Peace Prize. NFF President Lise Klaveness stated that the federation acted independently in approaching FIFA's ethics committee, noting that other federations were aware they could sign on if they wished, but the NFF concluded that pressuring others would be unproductive. Infantino has openly pursued close ties with Trump in anticipation of the June 11-July 19 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Must ReadBritish police are under fire after body camera footage showed officers handcuffing 18-year-old Henry Nowak as he lay dying from stab wounds in December. Nowak, who repeatedly told police "I can't breathe," was stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa with a ceremonial knife. Digwa had falsely accused Nowak of racial abuse, and the footage shows police initially accepting Digwa's account and handcuffing Nowak despite his pleas. Nowak's father, Mark, described the police treatment as "shocking," "inhumane and degrading." Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the "awful, shocking case" and noted an independent police complaints watchdog is investigating. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged against allowing the incident to divide communities. Main opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and far-right Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for changes to police diversity policies, with Farage drawing parallels to the George Floyd case and criticizing a perceived "two-tier culture." Badenoch accused Farage of "deepening divisions" but also criticized "two-tier policing." Elon Musk has offered to fund a private prosecution against the police. Digwa was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison. Digwa's brother and father also face weapons charges, and his mother will be sentenced for assisting an offender. Digwa's family apologized to Nowak's family.