Court Stops Telcos Suspension of Airtime Credit Services

Millions of Nigerian telecom subscribers may soon regain access to airtime and data credit services after separate Federal High Court orders in Abuja and Lagos restrained enforcement actions tied to new digital lending regulations.

In Abuja, the court ruled on April 24, 2026, that MTN Nigeria and Airtel Networks must not suspend or restrict services provided to Nairtime Nigeria Limited, pending determination of a suit challenging directives linked to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON) 2025.

The plaintiffs argued that the planned suspension of USSD, SMS, short codes, and billing services would unlawfully interfere with their contractual rights.

The court agreed, granting an interim injunction to preserve access during the subsistence of Nairtime’s valid licence.

Justice held that telecom operators could not bypass agreed notice periods or dispute-resolution mechanisms simply to comply with new regulatory directives.

Similarly, the Federal High Court in Lagos, in a ruling on April 15, 2026, restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from enforcing key provisions of the DEON regulations against the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa barred the commission from imposing sanctions or hindering service providers, pending the hearing of an interlocutory injunction.

The rulings come after MTN and Airtel suspended airtime credit services in mid-April, citing compliance obligations under the new framework.

The disruption affected millions of prepaid subscribers who rely on airtime borrowing as short-term credit.

Industry stakeholders argue that the FCCPC exceeded its mandate, noting that telecom-based services fall under the Nigerian Communications Commission’s purview.

Analysts estimate airtime lending transactions are worth between ₦500 billion and ₦1.2 trillion annually, serving as critical microcredit for small businesses and low-income earners.