Airtime Lending Ban Sparks Digital Distress for Vulnerable Nigerians
For millions of Nigerians barely above the poverty line, the option to borrow small amounts of airtime or data has vanished. Telecom giants MTN and Airtel have suspended their emergency *303# service following an FCCPC directive under the new DEON Lending Regulations. This microloan feature helped petty traders and daily wage earners maintain business when cash was low. Now, customers across Lagos, Kano and beyond find themselves cut off from a crucial financial safety net. Critics accuse the FCCPC of overstepping its mandate, clashing with the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Ministry of Communications. On April 16, the Federal High Court granted an injunction stopping enforcement of these regulations pending further hearings. As calls grow for a regulatory rethink, many fear the ban may harm consumers more than it safeguards them. The coming weeks will test whether digital inclusion can coexist with stronger consumer protection.
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