🇳🇬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.
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