With Airtime Credit Services (ACS) fully restored across Nigeria’s mobile networks, stakeholders have shifted attention from the temporary disruption that unsettled millions of subscribers to the need for a clear regulatory framework that will prevent similar incidents and sustain confidence in the country’s digital economy.

The renewed calls come as industry players await further proceedings in the suit challenging aspects of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations, a case many believe could provide much-needed clarity on the regulation of telecom-enabled value-added services.

Chief Executive Officer of Nairtime Nigeria Limited and Chief Commercial Officer of Optasia, Uchenna Agbo, confirmed that Airtime Credit Services have resumed across all mobile operators, describing the development as welcome relief for millions of Nigerians.

“We are pleased that all operators have now resumed ACS services in Nigeria. These services provide a lifeline for millions of Nigerian consumers who rely on them for daily connectivity,” Agbo said.

She added that Nairtime remained committed to working with regulators, telecom operators and other industry stakeholders to support “a fair, transparent and inclusive digital ecosystem” while the legal process runs its course.

Industry operators say the recent disruption underscored how important airtime lending has become to millions of Nigerians who rely on the service to stay connected during emergencies.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said the issue extends beyond airtime lending and speaks to the need for regulatory certainty in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

According to him, airtime credit has evolved into critical economic infrastructure relied upon by an estimated 40 million Nigerians, warning that overlapping regulation could discourage investment, innovation and the development of new digital services.

The Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN), which instituted the suit before the Federal High Court, said its action was aimed at protecting licensed operators as well as the millions of consumers who depend on telecom-enabled value-added services.

Rejecting claims that the litigation was intended to frustrate regulatory reforms, the association said the suit seeks judicial clarification on the applicable regulatory framework while preserving consumer access to essential digital services.

Legal practitioner and social commentator Ilemona Onoja said the dispute should not be viewed as opposition to consumer protection.

According to him, the DEON Regulations were introduced to address concerns arising from some digital lending platforms, including unlicensed operators, privacy breaches and debt-shaming practices. He said the ongoing litigation presents an opportunity for the courts to clarify how those regulations should apply to telecom-enabled airtime credit services without undermining consumer protection objectives.

For subscribers, the temporary suspension served as a reminder of how dependent many Nigerians have become on airtime lending.

Kano-based subscriber Farouk Rabiu, who publicly shared his experience during the disruption, said he found himself unable to make urgent calls after exhausting his airtime balance, describing the restoration of the service as a welcome development.

The FCCPC has maintained that the DEON Regulations were introduced in furtherance of its consumer protection mandate and has said it suspended enforcement of the regulations in compliance with the Federal High Court’s interim order while continuing to pursue its legal position through due process.

However, industry stakeholders have continued to call for greater coordination among regulators, noting that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the statutory regulator of the telecommunications sector, has yet to publicly state its position on the issues raised by operators regarding the regulation of airtime lending services.

Stakeholders say greater clarity in the responsibilities of sector regulators would not only reduce uncertainty but also strengthen investor confidence and support continued innovation across Nigeria’s digital economy.

While Airtime Credit Services have returned, many believe the broader conversation is no longer about the temporary disruption but about building a predictable regulatory environment that protects consumers, encourages innovation and ensures that millions of Nigerians continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to essential digital services as the legal process continues.