A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited to restore airtime and data credit services, restraining them from actions that led to the suspension of the offerings.
The ruling, delivered on 24 April 2026, followed an ex parte application by Nairtime Nigeria Limited and Nairtime Holdings Limited, who accused the telecom operators of attempting to disrupt their business operations.
Court Ruling
In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/779/2026, the court granted an interim injunction barring the telecom firms from “suspending, restricting, discontinuing, or otherwise interfering” with access to their platforms, including USSD channels, SMS, short codes, and billing services.
The court held that the operators must maintain services pending the determination of the substantive suit.
It further ruled that telecom firms cannot disregard contractual notice periods and dispute-resolution mechanisms in an attempt to comply with new regulatory directives.
Dispute over lending regulations
The plaintiffs argued that the planned suspension was linked to directives arising from the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
They maintained that the action would amount to unlawful interference with their contractual rights, noting that they operate as licensed Value Added Service providers under approvals from the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Parallel court decision
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Lagos also restrained the FCCPC from enforcing aspects of the same regulations against the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ruled that enforcement actions should be halted pending the hearing of an interlocutory injunction.
The suspension of airtime credit services such as MTN’s XtraTime and Airtel’s data credit offerings had affected millions of prepaid subscribers nationwide.
The services, widely used as short-term credit options, were halted in mid-April without prior notice, triggering widespread concern among users.
The dispute highlights an ongoing jurisdictional conflict between the FCCPC and the Nigerian Communications Commission over the regulation of digital lending services within the telecom sector.
While the FCCPC seeks to extend oversight to digital credit services, industry stakeholders argue that such offerings fall within the NCC’s regulatory framework.
Both cases have been adjourned for further hearing as the legal battle continues, with the outcome expected to shape the future regulation of digital lending and telecom-based financial services in Nigeria.
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