A Federal High Court has ordered telecommunications companies MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Limited to restore airtime and data credit services following separate rulings in Abuja and Lagos.
The orders restrained enforcement actions linked to digital lending regulations that had led to the suspension of airtime borrowing services used by millions of subscribers.
In a ruling delivered on April 24, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the telecom operators from suspending or restricting services provided to Nairtime Nigeria Limited pending the determination of a substantive suit.
The plaintiffs, Nairtime Holdings Limited and Nairtime Nigeria Limited, had approached the court, alleging that the telecom companies planned to suspend their access to telecommunications platforms, including USSD channels, SMS, short codes and billing services, based on directives tied to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025.
They argued that the planned actions would unlawfully interfere with their contractual rights and business operations, noting that they operate under valid licences issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The court granted an interim injunction directing the telecom operators to maintain the status quo and continue providing access to their platforms while the case is being determined.
Similarly, the Federal High Court in Lagos restrained the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission from enforcing provisions of the same lending regulations against the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria pending the hearing of an interlocutory injunction.
Airtime credit services, including MTN’s XtraTime and Airtel’s data credit offerings, were suspended in mid-April after operators cited compliance requirements under the new regulatory framework.
The suspension affected millions of prepaid subscribers who rely on airtime borrowing as short-term credit, especially small business owners and low-income earners.