Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed claims of a ban on airtime and data borrowing services across Nigeria's telecom sector.
The clarification comes amid the suspension of MTN Nigeria's "Xtratime" service, which the operator linked to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional (DEON) consumer lending regulations introduced in July 2025.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Okechukwu D. Amaechi, stated that disruptions stem from operators' failure to meet the January 5, 2026 compliance deadline, not any prohibitive directive.
The DEON framework mandates registration, transparent fee disclosures, ethical recovery practices, data safeguards, and robust complaint mechanisms to curb consumer harm from hidden charges and aggressive tactics.
"No ban exists on airtime borrowing or data advances; lawful value-added services remain accessible post-compliance," FCCPC affirmed in its statement.
Authorities intervened following widespread complaints over unexplained deductions and poor transparency, aiming to restore market confidence.
MTN's pause reflects individual business choices by non-compliant providers, with the commission urging regularization for service resumption.
The regulations promote accountability for third-party partners and regulatory oversight, fostering a fairer digital lending ecosystem without halting core telecom offerings.
