The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed reports suggesting a ban on airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, describing such claims as false and misleading.

In a statement released Friday via its official X account, the Commission clarified that it has not issued any directive restricting access to lawful telecom value-added services. It emphasized that airtime borrowing and data advance offerings remain available to consumers nationwide.

“The Commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services, and no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services,” the statement said.

According to the FCCPC, the confusion stems from regulatory measures introduced in July 2025 under the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations. The framework was developed in response to a surge in consumer complaints, including opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive debt recovery practices, poor disclosure standards, and weak accountability across segments of the digital lending and advance-services market.

The Commission explained that the regulations were designed not to prohibit services but to enhance transparency and fairness. Under the framework, operators are required to properly register their services, clearly disclose fees and terms, adopt responsible lending practices, and provide accessible complaint resolution channels.

It added that the measures are intended to strengthen consumer protection, improve service quality, and boost confidence in the telecom and digital lending ecosystem.

The FCCPC also disclosed that some telecom operators had engaged in exclusionary third-party arrangements in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, thereby limiting competition. It noted that the new rules aim to open the market to broader participation by both local and international players in line with free-market principles.

Operators were initially given a 90-day window to comply with the regulations, later extended to January 5, 2026. However, the Commission noted that some providers failed to meet the deadline and continued operating models that had long attracted consumer complaints.

It stressed that any temporary suspension or restriction of airtime borrowing or data advance services should be viewed as a business or compliance decision by operators, rather than a regulatory ban.

The FCCPC further warned against attempts by vested interests to spread disinformation and undermine ongoing reforms, urging Nigerians to rely on verified information regarding telecom service availability.