Airtel Nigeria has suspended its airtime and data credit services, becoming the latest telecom operator to take action in response to new regulatory requirements introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The development comes after MTN Nigeria earlier halted similar services, signalling a broader industry adjustment to the FCCPC’s stricter framework for digital lending in the country.
Airtel’s Director of Marketing, Mr Ismail Adeshina, disclosed the suspension in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos, noting that the decision was necessary to ensure compliance with the commission’s new regulations.
The affected services previously allowed eligible prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge—a feature widely used by customers across the country.
Despite the suspension, the company assured subscribers that regular airtime and data purchase services would remain unaffected.
Adeshina said, “This is a necessary and responsible step as we align our operations with evolving regulatory requirements.
“Airtel Nigeria remains committed to the highest standards of compliance, transparency and consumer protection, while continuing to innovate responsibly within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”
He added that customers would continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to airtime and data purchases through existing channels, stressing that the temporary halt would not significantly disrupt overall service delivery.
The FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, introduce a comprehensive licensing and compliance regime for all providers of digital credit services, including telecommunications companies offering airtime and data loans.
Under the new framework, such operators must formally register with the commission before offering credit-based services. The regulation builds on earlier guidelines introduced in 2022 to sanitise the digital lending space.
The FCCPC initially set 31 October 2025 as the registration deadline, with a penalty of ₦100 million for non-compliance.
The deadline was later extended to 5 January 2026 and subsequently to April 2026, to give affected companies more time to meet the requirements.
With both MTN and Airtel suspending their credit services, subscribers who rely on borrowed airtime and data may face temporary inconvenience, as operators work to align with the new regulatory guidelines.
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