Millions of Nigerians depend on airtime credit to stay connected, Nairtime Nigeria Chief Executive Officer and Optasia Chief Commercial Officer, Ms. Uchenna Agbo, has said, as mobile network operators resume airtime lending services following months of disruption caused by a regulatory dispute over digital lending rules.

The restoration of Airtime Credit Services, ACS, comes ahead of a crucial July 20 court hearing that could shape the future of airtime lending and other forms of digital consumer credit in Nigeria.

Optasia, the global AI-powered financial infrastructure company operating in Nigeria as Nairtime Nigeria, confirmed that all operators resumed ACS on June 24, bringing relief to millions of subscribers who rely on airtime advances and short-term credit facilities to make calls, access the internet and stay connected during periods of financial difficulty.

The service had faced disruption amid the controversy surrounding the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s, FCCPC’s, Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending, DEON, Regulations, which triggered legal action by industry stakeholders.

While the regulations remain suspended pending the outcome of the court proceedings, operators have now restored airtime lending services across networks.

Speaking on the development, Agbo described the return of the service as a positive step for consumers.

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

Agbo said access to short-term digital credit remains an important component of financial inclusion, particularly for consumers who may not have access to conventional sources of credit.

“Fair financial access is at the heart of our business and we are committed to working constructively with regulators and our partners as the legal process unfolds to promote a fair, transparent and inclusive digital ecosystem that benefits Nigeria and all Nigerians,” she said.

The return of airtime lending is expected to be welcomed by subscribers across the country, especially at a time when many households continue to grapple with economic pressures and rising living costs.

Industry observers note that airtime credit has evolved beyond a telecoms service into a critical digital finance tool, enabling millions of consumers to remain connected even when they temporarily run out of cash.

Providing context to the dispute, lawyer and social commentator Ilemona Onoja said the DEON Regulations were introduced to tackle abuses that had become widespread within the digital lending industry.

According to him, the regulations were designed to curb the activities of some lenders operating without proper licences and engaging in practices that violated data privacy and consumer protection rules, including the harassment and public shaming of loan defaulters.

The FCCPC has maintained that the regulations are intended to strengthen consumer protection and encourage responsible lending practices, while operators challenging aspects of the framework argue that some provisions require further clarification.

Throughout the disruption, Optasia said it continued to engage operators and other stakeholders to support the restoration of services across the market.

With airtime lending now restored nationwide, attention is turning to the July 20 court proceedings, which stakeholders believe could have far-reaching implications for the future regulation of digital lending, consumer credit and financial technology services in Nigeria.

For millions of subscribers who depend on airtime advances to bridge temporary funding gaps, however, the immediate concern has already been addressed: full airtime credit is back.