ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Subscribers have called on newly approved firms taking over airtime and data lending services from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure transparency, flexibility, and a user-friendly approach in their operations.
The users, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday, outlined their expectations following the regulatory transition in the sector.
They expressed cautious optimism that the introduction of new micro-credit providers could improve service delivery if properly regulated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has approved five firms to provide digital airtime and data lending services.
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This development follows new regulatory requirements that led major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), including MTN and Airtel, to suspend in-house lending services such as MTN Xtratime.
The five approved firms as of April 2026 are Total TIM Nigeria Limited; Rane Interactive Medien CLS Limited; Mode NG Applications Nigeria Limited; Cloud Interactive Associate Limited; and Coverage Broadband Limited.
The approval aligns with the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
The FCCPC clarified that airtime and data lending services were not banned, but were placed under a stricter regulatory framework to address issues such as opaque charges and poor disclosure practices.
It stated that all operators in the space must comply with established consumer protection standards to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.
The commission further noted that the approved firms met the required conditions under the new framework aimed at strengthening oversight in digital credit services.
Reacting to the development, an undergraduate identified as Hakim said: “For me, it’s about flexibility. Let the firms always give us more time to repay. Life is unpredictable, and strict repayment deadlines don’t help struggling users.”
Zainab, a secondary school teacher, said:
“I hope the new firms will educate users. Many people don’t understand how airtime loans work. Awareness will help people avoid unnecessary debt.
Kemi, a Lagos-based undergraduate, said: “If they can integrate with apps we already use, like banking or mobile wallets, it’ll be easier. Convenience matters more than anything for my generation.”
Musa Abdullahi, a civil servant, cautioned: “Don’t turn this into another debt trap. Keep interest low and avoid aggressive deductions that leave people stranded.”
Tunde Ajayi, a Lagos-based Uber rider, also called for more flexible repayment structures, noting that rigid deadlines often increase financial pressure on low-income earners.
Another respondent, Nwankwo Favor, emphasized the need for smaller borrowing options, stating that more accessible micro-loans would better serve students and low-income users.
“I want smaller borrowing options. Not everyone needs big data bundles. Even N100 or N200 data loans should be available without stress,” she said.
Similarly, Musa Abdullahi, a civil servant, warned against exploitative practices and urged regulators to ensure that interest rates remain fair and consumer-friendly.
He added that while the transition could encourage innovation, failure to address past challenges could undermine public confidence in the system.
Abdullah further noted that micro-credit services in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector remain important, as digital access continues to play a growing role in economic participation.