Court Stops Telcos From Blocking Airtime Credit Services In Nigeria

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained telecommunications operators from suspending airtime and data credit services amid an ongoing dispute over newly introduced lending regulations. According to Ireporter Online, the interim order was issued on April 24, 2026, following a suit filed by Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited against MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited.

The telecom firms had reportedly moved to restrict the lending companies’ access to critical service channels, including USSD codes, SMS platforms, short codes and billing systems, a development the plaintiffs argued would significantly disrupt their operations and breach subsisting agreements. The companies maintained that their services are backed by valid licences issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission and that no prior notice of any infraction had been communicated to them.

In its ruling, the court directed the defendants to refrain from suspending or interfering with the plaintiffs’ access to their platforms pending the determination of the suit. The presiding judge emphasised the need for parties to adhere strictly to contractual obligations, including stipulated notice periods and dispute resolution mechanisms, rather than taking unilateral actions based on new regulatory directives.

The legal dispute stems from the implementation of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations introduced in 2025, which expanded oversight of digital lending services, including airtime credit offerings. Telecom operators had acted on the directive by suspending such services earlier in April, triggering widespread concerns among users.

In a related development, a separate ruling by the Federal High Court on April 15, 2026, restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from enforcing aspects of the same regulations against the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria. The Lagos court barred the commission from taking any action that could disrupt the operations of service providers or impose sanctions pending the conclusion of the case.

The suspension of airtime credit services, including offerings such as XtraTime and Airtel’s data borrowing options, had impacted millions of prepaid subscribers nationwide, many of whom rely on the services as a convenient means of staying connected during periods of low balance.