Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed claims of a ban on airtime and data borrowing services across Nigeria’s telecom sector.

FCCPC

The clarification comes amid the suspension of MTN Nigeria’s “Xtratime” service, which the operator linked to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional (DEON) consumer lending regulations introduced in July 2025.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Okechukwu D. Amaechi, stated that disruptions stem from operators’ failure to meet the January 5, 2026 compliance deadline, not any prohibitive directive.

The DEON framework mandates registration, transparent fee disclosures, ethical recovery practices, data safeguards, and robust complaint mechanisms to curb consumer harm from hidden charges and aggressive tactics.

“No ban exists on airtime borrowing or data advances; lawful value-added services remain accessible post-compliance,” FCCPC affirmed in its statement.

Authorities intervened following widespread complaints over unexplained deductions and poor transparency, aiming to restore market confidence.

MTN’s pause reflects individual business choices by non-compliant providers, with the commission urging regularization for service resumption.

The regulations promote accountability for third-party partners and regulatory oversight, fostering a fairer digital lending ecosystem without halting core telecom offerings.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that both organisations said would safeguard consumers against fraud while opening opportunities for them to leverage the potentials of the telecommunications and financial sectors.

Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; and Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, during the signing Memorandum of Understanding between NCC and CBN, 20th of April 2026, at the CBN”s Headquarters Abuja.

The MoU was signed as NCC and CBN inaugurated a Joint Committee on Payment Systems and Consumer Protection and a Joint Committee on Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida said the MoU provides a structured framework for cooperation in critical areas including payment system integrity, fraud mitigation, digital inclusion, and the protection of consumers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which he noted will translate into practical outcomes that strengthen trust, deepen inclusion, and support a secure and resilient digital economy.

Dr Maida described the signing of the MoU as an important milestone in “the regulatory stewardship” of Nigeria’s digital economy, which reflects a shared commitment to collaboration in strengthening financial system stability, advancing digital inclusion, and protecting consumers in an increasingly interconnected ecosystem.

He said “The Commission places significant importance on collaboration. Indeed, many of the critical milestones we have achieved in addressing some of our industry’s challenges—and even in leapfrogging our sector—have been made possible through strategic partnerships and sustained collaboration. Our collaboration with the Central Bank is not new.

“Over the years, our two institutions have demonstrated the value of close regulatory coordination. A notable and recent example is our collective effort in resolving the long-standing USSD debt impasse—an intervention that restored confidence, preserved service continuity, and safeguarded the interests of consumers, telecom operators, and financial institutions alike. That experience reaffirmed a simple truth: that complex, cross-sector challenges are best addressed through structured collaboration.

“This MoU provides a clear framework for cooperation in critical areas such as payment system integrity, consumer protection, fraud mitigation, and the responsible use of digital infrastructure.

“In particular, it supports initiatives that promote secure digital payments, enhance trust in mobile-enabled financial services, and extend safe access to underserved populations and MSMEs.
‘For the NCC, this MoU speaks directly to one of the critical pillars of our strategic focus: leveraging cross-sectoral innovation to deliver a safe, resilient, inclusive and trusted digital ecosystem.

“As mobile numbers increasingly underpin identity, authentication, and financial access, collaboration with the CBN is essential to ensuring that innovation is matched with strong governance, system stability, and consumer safeguards,” Dr. Maida declared.

The EVC explained that the collaboration is designed “For the prevention of electronic fraud, which has become increasingly pervasive, with significant implications for the integrity of our digital economy. Through the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal—which aggregates data on churned (recycled) phone numbers, as well as numbers flagged within your sector—the Financial Services Industry will now have enhanced visibility into the status of phone numbers, one of the most widely utilized resources in your sector, although regulated by the NCC.

“This means that the Financial Institutions will be able to determine when a line is active, when it has been swapped, when it has been disconnected due to inactivity and reassigned to a new subscriber, and when it has been flagged for suspicious or fraudulent activity.

“This ensures that our financial services industry is better equipped with timely and relevant information to effectively combat e-fraud, particularly those perpetuated using phone numbers, in the country.

“The second area I want to highlight is an overarching one that both our institutions have consistently championed: it is the protection of Nigerian consumers. With this handshake, consumers who experience issues such as airtime recharges that do not deliver value can be assured of prompt resolution within the shortest possible time.

“The establishment of a platform for sustained engagement, coordinated policy responses, and joint action as new risks and opportunities emerge across the digital and financial landscape by this MoU, positions our two institutions to remain proactive, aligned, and effective in fulfilling our respective mandates,” the EVC stated.

CBN Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso described the MoU as one that will strengthen coordination on approvals, technical standards, and innovation trials, including sandbox testing that supports market-led solutions while safeguarding stability.

He said, “Going forward, the Central Bank of Nigeria remains fully committed to working with the Nigerian Communications Commission to deliver a safer, more resilient, and more inclusive digital financial system—one that supports national productivity, protects consumers, and strengthens trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.”

Mr Cardoso subsequently inaugurated the Joint Committee on Payment Systems and Consumer Protection and the Joint Committee on Telecoms Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) Portal, which he said would put the protection of consumers of both sectors from fraud at the forefront.

Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has outlined five strategic pathways to accelerate the adoption of the .ng domain and position it as a critical driver of Nigeria’s digital economy.

NiRA

Oluwaseyi Onasanya, Chief Operating Officer of NiRA, presented the framework at a Media Advocacy and Capacity Building Workshop held on April 16.

Onasanya described the .ng domain as a key component of Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, noting that the country has about 65 per cent internet penetration and over 35.6 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributing nearly 48 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

She said the first pathway involves mandating the use of .ng domains across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as subnational entities, government vendors and tax remitters.

According to her, this would ensure that all official digital communications with government institutions are conducted through .ng platforms, while also linking domain usage to Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration and procurement processes.

The second strategy focuses on a nationwide awareness campaign tagged “Own Your .ng, Own Your Future,” aimed at promoting the domain as a symbol of national identity, trust and economic value.

Onasanya said the third pathway calls for leadership from the private sector, urging banks, telecommunications companies, startups and SMEs to adopt .ng domains and integrate them into onboarding processes.

She added that the fourth strategy seeks to position .ng as a secure and regulated alternative to foreign domains, enhancing consumer confidence, improving local search visibility and strengthening jurisdictional control.

The fifth pathway centres on expanding the digital ecosystem by strengthening registrar networks, simplifying user experience and integrating .ng domains into internet service providers, digital platforms and national performance metrics.

Onasanya warned that Nigeria’s domain adoption rate remains low compared to global peers, noting that the country has approximately one domain per 855 citizens, far behind countries like Germany, the United Kingdom and China.

She cautioned that low adoption could lead to capital flight, as businesses continue to rely on foreign domain platforms in an increasingly digital global economy.

She also called on the media to drive awareness, shape public perception and promote adoption by highlighting the economic value of .ng domains across sectors.

“Without media, .ng stays technical. With media, it becomes economic,” he said.

NiRA said that over 240,000 .ng domains have been registered so far, with projections indicating continued growth as Nigeria targets a $1 trillion economy by 2030.