Nairtime Nigeria Limited has praised a Federal High Court ruling that prevents telecommunications companies MTN Nigeria and Airtel Networks Limited from disrupting its airtime and data-on-credit services. The company described the decision as a significant relief for millions of underserved Nigerians who depend on the platform for digital access.
The interim injunction, issued on April 24, 2026, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/779/2026, preserves access to key telecommunications infrastructure, including Short Codes, SMS, USSD, and billing services, pending the determination of the suit before the court. The Federal High Court in Abuja issued the order following an ex parte application by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited, who alleged that the planned actions threatened to disrupt their operations.
Uchenna Agbo, Chief Commercial Officer of Optasia and Chief Executive Officer of Nairtime Nigeria Limited, stated that the ruling would ensure uninterrupted access to essential communication and digital services for consumers often excluded from traditional financial systems. “This decision is ultimately about protecting underserved Nigerian consumers. It ensures that millions of people, many of whom are underserved by traditional financial systems, retain uninterrupted access to essential digital services,” Agbo said.
Agbo explained that the company’s platform provides responsible, data-driven lending services, allowing users to access airtime and data on credit while building a digital transaction history that could improve future access to broader financial opportunities. “Our platform enables responsible, data-driven lending that keeps people connected when they need it most, and we look forward to working with our partners to restore services in a manner that resumes full service value to Nigerian consumers without further delay,” Agbo added.
The company noted that the court order followed a directive from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which risked disrupting services used daily by millions of Nigerians for communication, work, education, and participation in the digital economy. Nairtime maintained that it operates under a valid Value-Added Service licence issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and has complied with all applicable regulatory and contractual obligations.
The suspension linked to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 could have significantly affected consumers who rely on airtime and data credit services, particularly those without access to conventional banking systems. “We have built a system that supports inclusion at scale, while maintaining strong risk controls for industry stability and economic impact. This ruling allows us to continue delivering safe, reliable services that Nigerians depend on every day. We remain focused on ensuring that the Nigerian consumer stays at the centre of innovation and will continue working with regulators and our partners, including MTN and Airtel, to promote a fair, transparent and inclusive digital ecosystem,” the company stated.
Nairtime also reaffirmed its commitment to consumer and data protection through governance frameworks and ethical deployment of artificial intelligence, aligning with the Federal Government’s broader consumer protection objectives.
