Telecom subscribers in Nigeria have voiced their frustration following the suspension of airtime and data borrowing services across major networks, a move linked to a directive by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The disruption has rendered the widely used *303# short-code inactive, cutting off millions of users from accessing emergency airtime credit.
The service, which allows customers to borrow airtime and repay upon recharge, has long served as a financial lifeline especially for low-income earners.
Reports indicate that the suspension stems from the FCCPC’s enforcement of the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON) 2025, which mandates stricter compliance and licensing requirements.
Telecom operators were reportedly instructed to halt lending-related services unless they partner with FCCPC-approved providers, with warnings of penalties for violations.
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The sudden halt has triggered widespread complaints, particularly on social media, where users described the move as disruptive to daily communication and business operations.
A subscriber, Segun Olabode, described the airtime borrowing system as a critical support tool.
He noted that its effectiveness in helping users manage limited funds makes its suspension difficult to understand.
In Port Harcourt, trader Alice Obiateru called the service a “lifesaver,” stressing its importance for urgent communication.
Similarly, Abuja-based bureau de change operator, Nasiru Mohammed highlighted the impact on business activities, noting that instant access to airtime is essential for staying connected with clients.
Despite a recent interim injunction by the Federal High Court in Lagos, granted in a suit filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria to restrain aspects of the regulations, the suspension remains in effect.
As a result, millions of subscribers continue to face uncertainty over when, or if, airtime borrowing services will be restored.
