Millions of telecom users in Nigeria could soon regain access to airtime and data credit services after courts in Abuja and Lagos stepped in to halt actions linked to new digital lending rules.
In a ruling delivered on April 24, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered MTN Nigeria and Airtel Networks Limited not to suspend or restrict services provided to Nairtime Nigeria Limited while a legal challenge is still ongoing.
The case was brought by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited, which accused the telecom operators of planning to disrupt their operations.
According to court filings, the companies argued that the telcos intended to cut off access to key platforms such as USSD channels, SMS, short codes and billing systems. They said the move was based on directives tied to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025.
The plaintiffs maintained that they are licensed Value Added Service providers operating under approvals from the Nigerian Communications Commission, and insisted they had not breached any agreement that would justify such action.
The court agreed to temporarily halt any disruption, directing all parties to maintain the status quo until the case is fully heard. It also noted that telecom operators cannot ignore existing contractual terms or dispute resolution processes in an attempt to comply with new regulatory directives.
A similar decision came from the Federal High Court in Lagos. In a separate case, the court restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from enforcing key aspects of the same lending regulations against members of the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ruled that the commission must not take steps that could interfere with service providers while the matter is still before the court. This includes imposing sanctions or enforcing specific provisions of the regulations.
The dispute follows the sudden suspension of airtime credit services earlier in April. Popular offerings such as MTN’s XtraTime and Airtel’s data credit were affected, leaving millions of prepaid subscribers without access to short-term airtime borrowing.
These services are widely used across Nigeria, particularly by people in the informal sector who rely on them as a form of quick, small-scale credit. Industry estimates suggest the market is worth between N500 billion and N1.2 trillion annually.
While the FCCPC has said it did not ban the services, it maintains that telecom operators acted independently in response to compliance requirements under the new regulations.
However, industry players argue that the commission may have overstepped its authority, insisting that services delivered through telecom infrastructure fall under the oversight of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
With both cases now before the courts, stakeholders are calling for dialogue to resolve the standoff. For now, the rulings have opened the door for a possible return of airtime and data credit services, offering relief to millions of users affected by the disruption.
