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Fresh concerns are growing among Nigerian mobile subscribers over the possibility of another disruption to airtime and data lending services as a legal dispute over regulatory oversight continues to unfold.
The anxiety follows efforts by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) to halt the enforcement of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)‘s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations 2025 pending the determination of its appeal before the Court of Appeal.
According to industry stakeholders, enforcing the regulations before the appellate court delivers its judgment could trigger another interruption of telecom-based credit services, which millions of Nigerians rely on for emergency airtime and data access.
Subscribers who experienced the earlier suspension say they are worried about the impact another shutdown could have on communication, banking transactions, and other daily activities.
An Abeokuta resident, Seun Sofoluwe, expressed concern that another disruption would create significant hardship for many Nigerians who depend on airtime and data advances to stay connected, particularly during emergencies.
The latest development comes just weeks after airtime credit services were restored nationwide following an interim court order that suspended the enforcement of the FCCPC regulations. The temporary shutdown had disrupted services across mobile networks and sparked widespread complaints from consumers and industry players.
At the heart of the dispute is the question of regulatory authority. WASPAN maintains that airtime lending falls within the telecommunications sector and should remain under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) rather than the FCCPC’s digital lending framework. The association says its legal action is intended to obtain judicial clarity and protect licensed operators as well as millions of subscribers who depend on the service.
The FCCPC, however, has consistently defended the DEON Regulations, arguing that they were introduced to strengthen consumer protection, promote transparency, and improve accountability within Nigeria’s digital lending ecosystem. The Commission has also maintained that the rules are necessary to safeguard consumers using digital credit products.
Industry observers note that airtime and data lending have become essential financial lifelines for millions of prepaid subscribers, particularly low-income earners, traders, artisans, students, and small business owners who often rely on the service when cash is unavailable. They warn that prolonged regulatory uncertainty could discourage investment and innovation across Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
As the legal process continues, subscribers, telecom operators, and technology stakeholders are looking to the courts for a definitive ruling that will clarify regulatory responsibilities while ensuring uninterrupted access to a service many Nigerians now consider indispensable.
