Airtel Nigeria halts airtime, data borrowing services amid regulatory adjustments

Airtel Nigeria has announced a temporary halt to its popular airtime and data borrowing services, a move that impacts eligible prepaid customers who relied on this facility for credit. The telecommunications giant stated that the suspension is part of necessary operational adjustments to comply with Nigeria's evolving regulatory landscape and operational demands.

In a statement released Friday, Femi Adeniran, Director of Corporate Communications & CSR at Airtel Nigeria, emphasized that while the credit service is paused, customers will continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to regular airtime and data purchases through existing channels. The company maintains that this pause will not affect overall service quality or network performance, aiming to reassure its user base.

This decision by Airtel follows similar suspensions by other major telecom operators, notably MTN, which also cited new lending regulations from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Marketing, Ismail Adeshina, described the move as both necessary and responsible, highlighting the company's commitment to compliance, transparency, and consumer protection within Nigeria's digital ecosystem. While the exact timeline for the service's restoration remains unannounced, Airtel Nigeria has promised to provide updates to its customers in due course. This situation reflects a broader trend of increased regulatory scrutiny on digital lending and credit services within Nigeria's vital telecommunications sector.

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This is a necessary and responsible step as we align our operations with evolving requirements. Airtel Nigeria remains committed to the highest standards of compliance, transparency, and consumer protection, while continuing to innovate responsibly within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.