KEY POINTS

• MTN and Airtel have been restrained from suspending airtime lending services pending a final ruling.
• A regulatory clash between the FCCPC and NCC over control of digital lending services.
• A ₦300bn–₦400bn market hangs in the balance as millions rely on airtime credit services.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered telecom giants MTN Nigeria and Airtel Networks Limited not to suspend or interfere with airtime lending services offered by Nairtime Nigeria Limited.

The ruling, delivered on April 24, followed an urgent application by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited. The companies had raised concerns that the telecom operators were planning to cut off access to essential telecom platforms used to deliver their services.

The court granted an interim injunction, meaning the telecom firms must maintain existing services until the case is fully heard and decided.

Dispute Over Access to Telecom Platforms

At the centre of the dispute is access to critical telecom infrastructure such as USSD codes, SMS channels, billing systems, and shortcodes — all of which are necessary for airtime and data lending services.

Nairtime argued that any disruption would harm its business and violate existing agreements. The company also maintained that it operates legally under licences issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The conflict stems from new regulations introduced in 2025 by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), targeting digital and non-traditional lending services.

These rules extend oversight to services like airtime and data credit, which traditionally fall under telecom operations.

MTN and Airtel had earlier suspended airtime lending services in mid-April, citing the need to comply with these new regulations.

The airtime lending market in Nigeria is massive. The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) estimates its value at between ₦300 billion and ₦400 billion annually.

Services like MTN’s XtraTime and Airtel’s data credit offerings are widely used by millions of Nigerians who rely on quick access to airtime or data, especially during emergencies.

Meanwhile, the FCCPC has clarified that it did not ban airtime lending services, insisting that the suspension was a business decision made by the telecom operators.