By Jimoh Babatunde
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from enforcing its Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025, pending the determination of a substantive suit.

The interim order was granted on Tuesday by Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026, following an application filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN).

In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa directed the FCCPC, its officers, agents, and privies to refrain from “enforcing, implementing or giving effect” to the disputed regulations until the court hears and determines the motion on notice.

WASPAN, an umbrella body representing application service providers in the telecommunications and digital services sector, had approached the court challenging the commission’s authority to regulate certain aspects of digital lending operations affecting its members.

The association argued that the enforcement of the regulations could disrupt existing services provided through telecommunications platforms, including airtime and data credit services widely used by subscribers.

The FCCPC had earlier issued directives requiring telecommunications operators to engage only approved Airtime Credit Service (ACS) providers in compliance with the new lending regulations. The move is part of the commission’s broader efforts to sanitize the digital lending space and curb alleged consumer rights abuses.

However, the directive has reportedly led to the suspension of some airtime borrowing services across major telecom networks, sparking public complaints and raising concerns among industry stakeholders.
Legal observers note that the court’s intervention underscores the growing tension between regulatory oversight and industry operations in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The interim injunction will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
No date has yet been fixed for the next hearing.