Federal High Court restores airtime and data credit access for millions of MTN and Airtel users

A Federal High Court order prevents MTN and Airtel from suspending airtime credit services, protecting millions of unbanked Nigerians' digital access.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 11:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Judicial Intervention for Digital Connectivity

A major disruption to Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape has been averted following a critical ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Nairtime Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of the global financial infrastructure group Optasia, announced on Thursday that the court granted an interim injunction on April 24, 2026. The order restrains MTN Nigeria Communications PLC and Airtel from interfering with or suspending Nairtime’s access to essential infrastructure, including USSD codes, SMS, and billing services. This intervention ensures that millions of users can continue to borrow airtime and data, a service that had been under threat due to recent regulatory shifts.

Protecting the Unbanked and Underserved

The court’s decision is seen as a victory for Nigerians who operate outside the traditional banking system. For many, airtime and data credit serve as a vital safety net for daily communication, remote work, and education. Uchenna Agbo, CEO of Nairtime Nigeria Ltd and Chief Commercial Officer of Optasia, emphasized that the platform enables responsible, data-driven lending. She noted that these services are not merely about connectivity but act as a gateway to financial inclusion, allowing users to build a digital identity and prove creditworthiness for future financial opportunities.

Regulatory Friction with the FCCPC

The legal dispute originated from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations 2025. Following these regulations, major operators like MTN and Airtel suspended their credit offerings—such as XtraTime—in mid-April to comply with the new oversight. While the FCCPC approved a handful of fintech providers to replace traditional operator-led services, Nairtime argued that the sudden directive left millions without a safety net and risked disrupting a system built on a valid Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) license.