The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained MTN Nigeria and Airtel Networks Limited from suspending or restricting services provided to Nairtime Nigeria Limited pending the determination of a substantive suit challenging regulatory actions linked to digital lending operations. In a ruling delivered on April 24, the court granted an interim injunction following an ex parte application by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited. Airtime credit services, including MTN's XtraTime and Airtel's data credit offerings, were suspended in mid-April after both operators cited compliance obligations under new FCCPC regulations introduced in July 2025.
Key Points
- Millions of Nigerian mobile subscribers regain access to airtime lending services for now.
- Telecom operators cannot unilaterally suspend services without following contractual notice periods.
- A regulatory turf war between FCCPC and NCC over digital lending jurisdiction intensifies.
- The airtime lending market, worth N300-N400 billion annually, hangs in legal balance.
- The court's status quo order protects licensed value-added service providers from disruption.
Watch for the substantive suit's determination and whether the FCCPC and telecom operators reach a regulatory compromise.
Sources: Premium Times
