An open letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on the Nigerian Senate to urgently investigate the suspension of airtime and data credit services by major telecommunications operators. The letter, written by telecoms analyst Ayoade Ilori, highlights the plight of 40 million Nigerians who have lost access to these essential services since April 2026.
Background of the Crisis
In July 2025, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) introduced the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations, extending their scope to cover airtime and data credit services provided by telecom companies licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). On 2 April 2026, the FCCPC issued an enforcement directive demanding immediate compliance. Faced with this pressure, MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile suspended their airtime and data credit offerings. The FCCPC claims these were voluntary decisions, but the enforcement environment left operators with little choice.
The suspension has severely impacted market traders, dispatch riders, artisans, students, and small business owners who relied on these services as working capital. Subscribers who borrowed small amounts of airtime to confirm deliveries or contact suppliers are now unable to do so, despite the service having operated for years with minimal complaints and a built-in recovery mechanism.
Court Interventions and Licensing Concerns
Two Federal High Courts have issued rulings on the matter. On 15 April 2026, a Lagos court granted interim injunctions restraining the FCCPC from enforcing the DEON Regulations and interfering with WASPAN members' services. On 24 April 2026, an Abuja court ordered MTN and Airtel to restore access to Nairtime Nigeria Limited's platform. Despite these orders, airtime borrowing services remain suspended for most subscribers.
On 22 April 2026, seven days after the Lagos injunction, the FCCPC approved five previously unrecognized firms to operate as licensed airtime and data credit providers under the restrained framework. These firms—Total Tim Nigeria Limited, Rane Interactive Medien CLS Limited, Mode NG Applications Limited, Cloud Interactive Associate Limited, and Coverage Broadband Limited—have opaque ownership structures and track records. They would control an estimated ₦300-₦400 billion annual market, while established operators remain shut out.
Regulatory Coordination Gap
The letter underscores a structural lack of coordination between the NCC and FCCPC. In August 2025, the telecom industry warned the NCC that the DEON Regulations conflicted with its mandate and an existing memorandum of understanding. The warning was ignored. The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) directive of 6 April 2026 instructed all MDAs to suspend regulatory changes that bypassed the Regulatory Impact Analysis framework, but the enforcement proceeded without such analysis.
Request for Senate Action
Senate President Akpabio is urged to direct relevant committees to: conduct an investigative hearing into the suspension and its economic impact; invite the FCCPC, NCC, ALTON, WASPAN, and other stakeholders to account for their roles; examine the lack of coordination between the NCC and FCCPC and propose legislative measures; and ensure compliance with the two Federal High Court orders. The letter emphasizes that ordinary Nigerians are caught between federal agencies and deserve the Senate's attention to uphold the rule of law.
