Airtime lending services have made a comeback across Nigeria as major telecom operators Airtel and Glo quietly reactivated their platforms. This follows the suspension of the controversial Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations 2025 by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Court Order Triggers Suspension
The development comes amid legal pressure on the FCCPC. A Federal High Court in Lagos issued an order halting enforcement of the regulations pending the determination of a suit challenging the commission's authority over telecom-based airtime advances.
Confirming the restoration, Chairman of the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN), Ayo Stuffman, stated on Monday that the platforms are now active on both networks. “As we speak, the services in question are already active on Airtel and Glo,” he said.
Relief for Millions of Subscribers
The return of these services has brought relief to millions who rely on emergency airtime credit for daily communication and small-scale business operations. Industry estimates value the annual airtime lending market at over ₦400 billion.
The FCCPC had earlier sought to regulate airtime lending under the DEON Regulations 2025, arguing that such services fall under digital consumer credit and require oversight to protect users from data privacy violations and unfair practices. The commission claimed it received over 11,000 consumer complaints related to digital lending.
Stakeholder Resistance
However, enforcement faced resistance from telecom stakeholders, including WASPAN and operators, who argued that airtime advances are value-added services, not conventional loans. The legal dispute escalated after Justice A. Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, restrained the FCCPC from enforcing the framework. Contempt proceedings were reportedly initiated against the commission's Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello.
In a statement on Friday, FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs Ondaje Ijagwu announced the suspension: “As a law-abiding institution, the Commission, in deference and in obedience to the rule of law, hereby suspends the implementation and the enforcement of the DEON Regulations 2025.”
Future Uncertainty
Despite the suspension, the FCCPC plans to challenge the ruling, instructing its legal team to contest the court order and the suit's competence. Industry stakeholders note that while the development brings temporary calm, regulatory uncertainty could affect investor confidence and long-term sector stability.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, had earlier emphasized the need for clearer regulatory boundaries and predictability. For now, subscribers can access emergency airtime advances, but the court battle's outcome will determine the future of Nigeria's digital credit ecosystem.
