No ban on airtime borrowing, data advance services — FCCPC

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, says the Commission did not ban airtime borrowing and data advance services in the country.

FCCPC said in a statement by  Ondaje Ijagwu, its Director, Corporate Affairs,that no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services.

He was reacting in Abuja on Friday to some reports in some sections of the media alleging that the Commission had banned airtime borrowing and data advance services.

Mr Ijagwu described the claim as incorrect.

”Following a deluge of consumer complaints bordering on opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, poor disclosure standards, and inadequate accountability in segments of the digital lending and advance-services market, FCCPC issued the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025.

”The regulations were introduced, among other reasons, to curb the excesses of abusive service providers whose practices had generated persistent consumer harm and undermined confidence in the market.

”The primary aim is to promote a fairer and more transparent system by mandating proper registration, responsible lending conduct, clear disclosure of fees and terms.

”Others are accessible consumer complaint channels, data protection safeguards, stronger accountability for third-party partners, and effective regulatory oversight,” the Commission said.

He said that in the telecommunications sector, their findings indicated that some operators engaged in exclusionary third-party technical arrangements in disobedience to the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.

Mr Ijagwu said the regulations sought to unlock the market to allow local participants alongside foreign partners, in line with free market principles.

”These measures benefit Nigerians by reducing abusive practices, improving transparency, strengthening consumer choice, and encouraging responsible innovation by legitimate operators.

”We are aware that some vested interests and their foreign collaborators are opposed to the creation of safe markets and fair competition, therefore resorting to a campaign of disinformation.

”At the commencement of the framework in July 2025, affected operators were granted an initial 90-day compliance period to regularise their products, structures, and operations.

”That opportunity was not utilised within the prescribed timeframe, specifically in the telecom sector.

”The compliance window was subsequently extended until January 5 but in spite of that further extension, necessary compliance steps were still not completed by the relevant operators,” he said.

Mr Ijagwu said that many telecom operators failed to register and regularise their services.

He urged consumers and members of the public to disregard false and misleading narratives on the issue.

The director said the FCCPC was committed to protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, encouraging responsible innovation, ensuring transparent digital financial practices.

NAN