Subscribers Lament as FCCPC Directive Suspends Airtime Borrowing Services
Nigerian telecom subscribers have expressed frustration following the suspension of airtime borrowing services after a directive from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which has rendered the *303# credit service unavailable across major networks.
The service, which allows users to borrow airtime and repay on subsequent recharge, has been widely used as an emergency communication lifeline, especially among low-income earners. Its sudden disruption has sparked complaints from users nationwide, many of whom say it has affected daily communication and business activities.
Reports indicate that the suspension followed regulatory instructions linked to the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON 2025), which require telecom operators to comply with approved lending frameworks.
The FCCPC also warned of enforcement actions for non-compliance, prompting telecom operators to halt the service pending regulatory clarity. Although a Federal High Court in Lagos issued an interim injunction restraining parts of the regulation, the airtime borrowing service remains suspended as subscribers have continued to call for an urgent resolution, describing the service as essential for emergencies and daily connectivity.
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