By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially dismissed reports claiming it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services.

The commission described these rumours as false and misleading, clarifying that no such directive was ever issued to telecommunications companies.

The clarification follows recent announcements by major telcos, including MTN and Airtel, regarding the suspension of their credit services. Public concern had grown after viral social media posts suggested the government was shutting down these popular value-added services used by millions.

The FCCPC explained that the service disruptions are actually due to the operators’ failure to comply with new regulations. The “Consumer Lending Regulations,” introduced in July 2025, were designed to address rising complaints about exploitative practices and hidden charges.

These regulations mandate that service providers register their products, provide clear disclosure of fees, and establish accessible channels for consumer complaints.

The commission noted that the framework aims to protect Nigerians from abusive recovery tactics and opaque deductions.

According to the agency, affected operators were initially given a 90-day grace period to regularize their operations, which was later extended to January 2026. However, several companies failed to utilize this window to align their services with the new transparency standards.

The FCCPC emphasized that any temporary suspension of services is a business decision made by the non-compliant operators themselves. It accused “vested interests” and foreign collaborators of spreading disinformation to resist these necessary regulatory reforms.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting fair competition and protecting consumers within the digital lending space. It urged the public to disregard sensational claims and rely only on verified information regarding telecom and financial services.