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10 clusters · 27 sources · 69 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS · POLITICS

Nigeria FCCPC enforcement amid court appeal

Entities: Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria · Ayo Stuffman · Federal High Court, Lagos · Nigerian Communications Commission · Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Overview

A Lagos Federal High Court judgment on 20 July 2026 upheld the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) authority to enforce the 2025 Digital, Electronic, Online or Non‑Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations, while confirming that licensing of airtime and data‑credit services remains the sole remit of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The ruling also placed the five firms previously approved under DEON – Total Tim Nigeria Ltd, Rane Interactive Medien CLS Ltd, Mode NG Applications Ltd, Cloud Interactive Associate Ltd and Coverage Broadband Ltd – under renewed scrutiny.

In response, the FCCPC resumed full DEON enforcement, with Director of Corporate Affairs Ondaje Ijagwu stressing that “the rule of law is fundamental to effective regulation and good governance.” The following day, the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) filed a notice of appeal, arguing that the commission had exceeded its mandate by regulating telecommunications operators, a domain reserved for the NCC, and seeking an injunction to halt FCCPC actions pending appeal.

On 26 July 2026, WASPAN Chairman Ayo Stuffman submitted an affidavit requesting the same injunction and warned that unchecked enforcement could abruptly disrupt services for roughly 40 million low‑income Nigerians who depend on airtime‑lending. He warned that penalties and regulatory uncertainty would jeopardise a sector estimated at ₦300‑400 billion annually, which underpins informal‑economy traders and artisans.

Market data continue to show rapid expansion in the N400 billion‑valued airtime‑credit market, keeping consumer‑protection oversight a regulatory priority.

Timeline

  1. 6 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Nigeria's FCCPC Airtime Lending Enforcement Risks Disruption for 40 Million Users

    WASPAN seeks an injunction to halt FCCPC’s enforcement of DEON regulations, warning that 40 million Nigerians could lose airtime‑lending services amid a jurisdiction dispute with the NCC.

  2. 10 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Nigeria's WASPAN Appeals Court Ruling on FCCPC Digital Lending Powers

    WASPAN appeals a court ruling that upheld FCCPC’s digital‑lending regulations, arguing the agency lacks authority over telecom operators, which are regulated by the NCC under Nigeria’s communications law.

  3. 12 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 11 sources
    Nigeria's FCCPC Resumes Digital Lending Regulations After Court Upholds Authority

    Nigeria's FCCPC resumes enforcement of DEON digital lending rules after a Lagos court upheld its authority, lifting a prior injunction and re‑activating regulations that protect consumers in the N400 bn market.

  4. 12 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Nigeria Court Clarifies FCCPC vs NCC Roles in Airtime Credit Market

    Nigeria’s Federal High Court ruled that the FCCPC cannot license airtime credit operators, leaving licensing to the NCC, while confirming the FCCPC’s power to regulate competition and consumer protection in the

  5. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Nigeria's FCCPC Denies Approval of 48 New Digital Loan Apps

    Nigeria's FCCPC refuted claims it approved 48 new digital loan apps, stating no new licences were granted and it is adhering to a court injunction halting the 2025 lending regulations.

  6. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Nigeria's airtime credit market reaches $3.2 bn as FCCPC tightens lending rules

    Nigeria's FCCPC imposed new DEON rules on airtime credit, classifying it as a micro‑loan, while fintech Optasia said the market grew to $3.18 bn in 2025, with Africa accounting for over 94 % of the volume.

  7. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Nigeria's FCCPC Denies Role in Airtime Credit Restructuring, Suspends Digital Lending Rules

    Nigeria's FCCPC denied involvement in a proposed airtime‑credit market overhaul and said enforcement of the 2025 digital lending regulations stays suspended after a court order.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 11 sources
    Nigeria's FCCPC suspends DEON lending rules as Tinubu orders monopoly breakup

    Nigeria's FCCPC has suspended DEON lending regulations pending a court ruling, while President Tinubu orders the breakup of Optasia's airtime credit monopoly. The commission approved nine operators amid the tug

  9. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Nigeria's FCCPC seals Abuja real estate offices over fraud and non‑compliance

    Nigeria's FCCPC sealed two Abuja real‑estate offices after developers failed to deliver fully paid homes, citing non‑compliance with 2025 notices.

  10. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Nigeria's FCCPC faces contempt court over digital lending regulations

    Nigeria's FCCPC is under contempt proceedings for breaching a court injunction on digital lending rules, while clearing Mikano International of liabilities.

Sources

brandspurng.com · businessday.ng · businesselitesafrica.com · dailystar.com.ng · dmarketforces.com · gwg.ng · insidebusiness.ng · laradiodehoy.com · marketingedge.com.ng · matazarising.com · nairametrics.com · newsghana.com.gh · newtelegraphng.com · nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng · nnn.ng · pmnewsnigeria.com · premiumtimesng.com · punchng.com · realnewsmagazine.net · sagagist.com.ng · techafricanews.com · techpoint.africa · thewhistler.ng · thisdaylive · thisdaylive.com · von.gov.ng · worldstagenews.com