Court Bars Telcos From Blocking Airtime Credit Services

A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred telecommunications companies from cutting off airtime and data credit services linked to a dispute over new lending rules.

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Naija News reports that the order was given on April 24, 2026, after a case was filed by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited against MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited. The companies had planned to restrict access to platforms used by the lending firm, including USSD, SMS, short codes and billing systems.

The plaintiffs told the court that the planned move would disrupt their operations and violate existing agreements. They explained that their services run on valid licences issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission and that they had not been given any notice of wrongdoing.

After reviewing the request, the court ordered the telecom firms not to suspend or interfere with the company’s access to their systems while the case is still ongoing. The judge also made it clear that companies must follow agreed contract terms, including notice periods and dispute processes, instead of acting suddenly because of new directives.

The dispute is tied to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations introduced in 2025. These rules extend control over digital lending services, including airtime borrowing, which telecom operators later acted on by suspending such services in April.

A similar case was decided earlier in Lagos on April 15, 2026. In that case, the Federal High Court stopped the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from enforcing parts of the same regulations against the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria.

The Lagos court barred the commission from taking steps that could disrupt service providers while the case continues. It also stopped any sanctions or actions that could prevent companies from offering services under the new rules until a full hearing is held.

The suspension of airtime credit services, including MTN’s XtraTime and Airtel’s data borrowing options, had affected many prepaid users across the country. Many Nigerians depend on these services as a quick way to stay connected when they run out of airtime or data.