The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified that it has not outlawed airtime borrowing or data advance services, and has not issued any directive banning customers from using legitimate telecom value-added services.
The FCCPC explained that it introduced the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations in July 2025 after receiving numerous consumer complaints about aggressive recovery tactics, unclear deductions, hidden charges, poor disclosure standards, and weak accountability in parts of the digital lending and advance-services sector.
What They Actually Said
The Commission stated that it gave affected operators an initial 90-day compliance period to standardize their products, structures, and operations. It added that many operators, especially in the telecom sector, failed to meet the requirements within the given timeframe. 
The FCCPC extended the compliance deadline to January 5, 2026, to give operators more time to align with regulatory expectations. It noted that some operators still have not completed the required compliance steps despite the extension.
The Commission explained that the regulations aim to curb abusive practices that damage consumer trust and cause financial harm. It mandates proper registration, responsible lending conduct, clear disclosure of fees and terms, accessible complaint channels, data protection safeguards, stronger accountability for third-party partners, and effective oversight.
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The FCCPC also highlights that its findings under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 show that some telecom operators rely on exclusionary third-party agreements that violate the law. It states that the regulations aim to promote fair competition and allow local and foreign players to operate transparently.
The Commission warns that some operators deliberately fail to register or comply with the regulations and maintain monopolistic structures that attract consumer complaints over fees, deductions, and transparency.
They said any temporary suspension or operational change by service providers results from business or compliance decisions, not an FCCPC ban.
The FCCPC urges the public to reject misleading claims and avoid false narratives, stressing that accurate information remains essential for consumer trust and market transparency.
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