Airtel Joins MTN in Suspending Airtime and Data Loans; Telcos Scramble to Meet FCCPC Deadline as Regulator Denies ‘Ban’ and Blames Operators for Service Pause

The reality of Nigeria’s new financial regulations has claimed its second major victim in as many days. Today, Airtel Nigeria “flipped the script” on its millions of prepaid subscribers by temporarily pulling the plug on its popular credit advance services. The “Solution” to a “Tsunami” of new consumer protection laws has left millions of Nigerians who often “tinker” with their balance using emergency airtime searching for other ways to stay connected.The hope for a more regulated digital lending space was the catalyst for this industry-wide shutdown.

Airtel’s Director of Marketing, Ismail Adeshina, noted in the digital trenches of a press briefing that the move is part of an “ongoing adjustment” to meet the 2025 DEON Regulations. These rules, introduced by the FCCPC to curb “exploitative practices,” have effectively reclassified telcos as digital banks when they offer credit. With the final compliance window closing this April, Airtel followed MTN’s lead to avoid a potential ₦100 million fine.However, the FCCPC issued a stinging “counter-script” late Friday evening.

The Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, dismissed claims of a government ban as “false and misleading.” He insisted that the disruption is purely a “business decision” by operators who failed to regularize their products within the 90-day grace period that ended in January.

“The Commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing,” the statement read, placing the ball firmly back in the court of the “Big Two” telcos. As the 2027 political cycle begins to focus on consumer rights and economic stability, this “Credit Blackout” is being seen as a major test of the government’s ability to “sanitize” the digital market.

For the average Nigerian student or trader who relies on that emergency ₦200 to make a life-saving call, the message tonight is one of frustration: while the giants fight over paperwork, the “borrow” button remains silent.