Lagos, Abuja Courts Restore Airtime Lending Services

Two Federal High Court divisions in Lagos and Abuja have issued interim injunctions that effectively restore airtime and data lending services for millions of Nigerian telecom subscribers, halting enforcement of controversial digital lending regulations by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

The Lagos court, presided over by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, granted the orders on April 15, 2026, in a suit filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria against the FCCPC. The ruling in case FHCL/CS/760/2026 restrained the commission, its officers and agents from enforcing key provisions of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, known as DEON. It also barred interference with association members' operations, sanctions for noncompliance or issuance of related directives. The case was adjourned to April 17 for further hearing.

In Abuja, Justice on April 24, 2026, issued a similar ex parte order in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/779/2026, brought by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited against MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited. The injunction prohibits the telecom...