Millions of Nigerian telecom subscribers may soon regain access to airtime and data credit services after Federal High Court orders in Abuja and Lagos restrained enforcement actions linked to new digital lending regulations.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, in a ruling delivered on April 24, 2026, barred telecommunications operators—MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited—from suspending or restricting services provided to Nairtime Nigeria Limited, pending determination of a substantive suit.
The order followed an ex parte application filed by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited, which alleged that the telecom operators planned to discontinue access to key platforms including USSD channels, SMS, short codes, and billing systems.
The plaintiffs argued that the suspension was linked to compliance with the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025, which they say should not override their existing licences issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
They further maintained that any such action would amount to unlawful interference with their contractual rights and ongoing operations, insisting they had not breached any regulatory or service conditions.
In its ruling, the court granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants from suspending or interfering with the plaintiffs’ access to telecom infrastructure and services, including USSD, SMS, short codes, and billing systems. The court also ordered that the status quo be maintained pending hearing of the substantive suit.
Similarly, the Federal High Court in Lagos issued an interim order on April 15, 2026, restraining enforcement actions by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission against the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria. The court also barred implementation of key provisions of the same 2025 lending regulations pending further hearing.
The dispute stems from the introduction of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025, which extended licensing requirements to airtime and data credit services. Enforcement actions in April led major telecom operators to suspend airtime advance services such as MTN’s XtraTime and Airtel’s credit offerings.
The suspension disrupted services widely used by prepaid subscribers, particularly low-income users and small businesses who rely on airtime borrowing as short-term credit.
Industry estimates suggest airtime lending in Nigeria is worth between N500 billion and N1.2 trillion annually, making it a significant informal financial support system.
While the FCCPC maintains that it did not order a ban, operators say they acted to comply with regulatory requirements amid uncertainty.
Both cases have been adjourned for interlocutory hearings as stakeholders await clearer regulatory direction on the future of airtime credit services in Nigeria.
