The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has explained its decision to suspend the implementation of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 (DEON Regulations). This move follows a Federal High Court order that halted enforcement amid ongoing legal proceedings. Industry stakeholders believe this suspension will restore airtime and data credit services across Nigeria's telecommunications sector.
Court Order Prompts Suspension
In a statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, the FCCPC stated that it acted in obedience to a court order. The Commission said: "The Commission has since been served with an Ex-parte order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos... restraining/suspending the implementation of the regulations." As a law-abiding institution, the FCCPC suspended the DEON Regulations 2025. The regulations had been challenged by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026. The FCCPC indicated it would contest both the order and the suit's competence.
ALTON Welcomes the Decision
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) welcomed the suspension. ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo said: "We commend the FCCPC for taking this decision in the interests of Nigerian consumers and the telecommunications industry." He added that suspending the DEON regulations as they apply to telecom services recognizes that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is the primary regulator. This recognition is crucial for industry stability and investor confidence.
Impact on Airtime Credit Services
The decision comes after weeks of disruption that left an estimated 40 million active users without airtime and data credit services. These services are widely relied upon by low-income and prepaid subscribers. The annual airtime credit market is estimated to be between N300 billion and N400 billion. The market was frozen in early April after major operators like MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2mobile suspended services following an FCCPC enforcement directive. The FCCPC had classified airtime credit as consumer lending, triggering a jurisdictional dispute with the NCC.
Legal Disputes and Restoration
The dispute moved to the courts, resulting in an interim injunction on April 15 restraining the FCCPC from enforcing the regulations against WASPAN members. Another court order on April 24 restrained MTN and Airtel from interfering with value-added service providers' access. Airtel became the first major operator to restore services, followed by Globacom. Adebayo emphasized that airtime credit is economic infrastructure, not just a financial product.
MTN Yet to Resume
MTN Nigeria, the largest operator with over 95 million subscribers, has not yet restored airtime advance services. Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer Tobechukwu Okigbo stated that MTN requires additional legal clarity. He said: "First, we would require either a court ruling that sets aside the regulations... or a clear directive instructing us to reinstate the service." Industry observers expect MTN to follow suit soon.
Call for Regulatory Coordination
ALTON called for closer coordination between the FCCPC and the NCC to avoid future conflicts. Adebayo said: "The lesson is that Nigeria's regulatory agencies need formal coordination protocols for services at the intersection of telecommunications and financial products." He urged both agencies to begin this conversation without delay.
