Telcos urge regulators to clarify rules on airtime and data credit
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria is asking for a clear regulatory framework on airtime and data credit services. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the association, welcomed a recent Federal High Court judgment affirming the complementary roles of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He emphasized the need for both agencies to coordinate and consult stakeholders before taking enforcement actions. The industry is concerned about potential disruptions to services relied on by millions of Nigerians.
What we know
- Gbenga Adebayo called for the FCCPC and NCC to establish a clear framework for regulating airtime and data credit services.
- A Federal High Court judgment in Lagos affirmed that both the FCCPC and NCC have roles in regulating these services, with their powers operating alongside each other.
- Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ruled that the relationship between the two regulators is complementary, not competitive.
- Adebayo urged both agencies to consult industry stakeholders before taking enforcement actions, referencing a three-month suspension of airtime credit services earlier this year.
- He noted that the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council’s directive of April 6, 2026 requires all federal agencies to conduct a Regulatory Impact Assessment before introducing significant regulatory changes.
