The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced a significant extension to the compliance deadline for operators of digital lending applications in Nigeria. According to a recent statement, the new final deadline has been set for April 2026, providing digital money lending operators with additional time to regularise their operations under the country's Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, commonly referred to as the DEON Regulations.
Extended Compliance Window for Digital Lenders
This new deadline follows the expiration of the initial compliance window, which was set for January 5, 2026. The FCCPC has clarified that the April 2026 deadline applies specifically to digital lenders that have been provisionally designated as eligible under transitional arrangements. The commission emphasized that this extension is intended to offer affected operators a final opportunity to align their business practices with the regulatory framework established to govern the rapidly expanding digital lending sector in Nigeria.
Enforcement Actions and Regulatory Measures
In a statement released on X on Wednesday, January 21, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, confirmed that enforcement actions have already commenced against operators who failed to regularise their status within the earlier deadline. Bello stated, "The compliance window provided under the Regulations has now closed. At this stage, the Commission is proceeding with appropriate enforcement steps in a manner that is fair, orderly, and consistent with due process."
He further warned that operators who do not take advantage of this extended window to regularise their operations by April 2026 may face additional regulatory measures as stipulated under the law. "This window is provided to enable affected operators to take steps towards compliance. Operators that choose not to regularise their status within this period may be subject to further regulatory measures," Bello added.
List of Loan Apps on the Federal Government Watch List
The FCCPC has identified a comprehensive list of 100 digital lending applications that are currently on the federal government's watch list. These apps must meet the April 2026 deadline to avoid potential sanctions. Some of the notable loan apps included in this watch list are:
- Super Loan App
- Swift Kash App
- Easy Naira App
- Cash Mama
- Spark App / Spark Credit
- FirstNell App
- FlyPay
- SoftNaira App
- CashDey App
- NairaLoans – Loans App
- SwiftCash App
- YMoney / SomeMoney App
- AimLoan App
- HenCredit Loan App
- EaseLoan App
- CashLoan App
- FineKudi App
- KudiCash App
- LoanMe App
- iMoneyPlus
- Naira9ja App / Naira9ja Instant
- 9jaCash App
- NnMoney App
- ZMoney
- Mama Credit Loan App
- Nigeria Loan App
- Daily Loan App
- EasyCash App
- QuickNaira App
- MegaLoan App
- LinkLoan / LinkCredit
- Apex Lending
- CreditWallet App
- Credit Pro App
- Quick Cash App
- DeLoan App
- Anytime Credit
Objectives of the Enforcement Drive
The FCCPC has outlined that the primary objectives of this enforcement drive are to promote market discipline within the digital lending industry, protect compliant operators from unfair competition, and safeguard consumers from abusive, deceptive, or unlawful practices. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparent regulation, fair competition, and effective consumer protection across Nigeria's growing digital economy.
This regulatory move comes at a time when the digital lending sector in Nigeria has experienced exponential growth, accompanied by increasing reports of consumer complaints regarding high interest rates, aggressive debt collection practices, and data privacy concerns. The DEON Regulations were introduced to address these issues and establish a standardized framework for operations.
Broader Financial Regulatory Context
In related financial regulatory news, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently released the latest lending rates for all Nigerian banks as of January 9, 2026. The figures announced highlight the prime and maximum lending rates across Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and merchant banks. The CBN stated that publishing these lending rates is part of its commitment to transparency, aimed at guiding borrowers to make informed financial decisions.
The FCCPC's deadline extension and watch list publication represent a critical step in Nigeria's efforts to regulate the digital finance landscape, ensuring that innovation in financial technology does not come at the expense of consumer rights and market integrity.
