Millions of MTN subscribers can once again access airtime lending services following the restoration of the platform after weeks of disruption caused by a regulatory dispute over digital lending.
The return of the service has been widely welcomed by customers who rely on emergency airtime and data advances to stay connected to work, financial services, and family members, particularly during periods of low account balances.
One subscriber, Farouk Rabiu, described the suspension as a major inconvenience, recalling how he was unable to borrow airtime when he needed internet access to log into his bank account after exhausting his data.
According to him, the inability to access borrowed airtime highlighted the importance of the service despite the associated service charges.
Industry stakeholders also welcomed the restoration, noting that airtime lending has evolved into an essential support system for millions of Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said the disruption underscored the significance of airtime credit as critical economic infrastructure rather than simply a telecommunications product.
He disclosed that about 40 million subscribers were affected by the suspension, warning that the dispute threatened an industry estimated to be worth between ₦300 billion and ₦400 billion annually while creating uncertainty for consumers and investors.
The Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN), which is challenging aspects of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) regulations in court, maintained that airtime and data advances have become an important financial cushion for traders, artisans, small business owners, and other Nigerians with limited access to conventional credit facilities.
The FCCPC, however, defended its regulatory intervention, explaining that airtime and data advances fall within its digital consumer lending framework aimed at improving transparency and consumer protection.
Following court orders and objections from industry stakeholders, the Commission suspended enforcement of the disputed regulations pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
With MTN joining other major operators, including Airtel and Glo, in restoring airtime lending services, subscribers once again have access to a facility many consider an essential safety net in navigating Nigeria’s challenging economic environment, even as the legal dispute over regulatory oversight continues before the courts.
Source: The Guardian News
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