Nigerian telecom subscribers have expressed frustration over the suspension of the *303# airtime borrowing service following regulatory action by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The service, offered by major telecom operators, has been unavailable for several days, sparking widespread complaints across social media, where users described the disruption as a major setback, particularly for low-income earners who depend on it for emergency communication.

It was gathered that the suspension was not a unilateral decision by telecom operators, but a response to a directive issued by the FCCPC.

In a letter dated April 2, 2026, addressed to one of the operators, the Commission ordered the immediate suspension of services relating to the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON) 2025. The FCCPC cited non-compliance with provisions requiring operators to engage only FCCPC-approved service providers.

The Commission warned that failure to comply would attract enforcement action, including penalties under existing laws, and directed operators to provide written assurances of compliance by mid-April.

Amid the disruption, subscribers have taken to various platforms to express their dissatisfaction, describing the service as essential to daily communication needs.

A Lagos-based banker, Segun Olabode, said the airtime borrowing service had been highly useful, noting that it helps him manage urgent communication needs when cash is limited.

He, however, warned that suspending the service could worsen financial pressure on ordinary Nigerians who rely on it for quick access to airtime.

A trader in Port Harcourt, Alice Obiateru, also expressed displeasure over the suspension, describing the service as a “lifesaver” that had suddenly been cut off without alternatives.

She questioned the decision, saying many users depend on the service for day-to-day communication and emergencies.

Similarly, a bureau de change operator in Abuja, Nasiru Mohammed, said the service had become integral to business operations, especially in situations where immediate communication is required.

He urged regulators to allow telecom operators to continue the service, arguing that subscribers were not complaining about its existence.

Industry stakeholders have called for urgent regulatory clarity and coordination among relevant agencies to prevent further disruption, as pressure mounts on authorities to restore the service.

Meanwhile, the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) has secured an interim injunction against the FCCPC at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

In Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa restrained the Commission from enforcing the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The court order bars the FCCPC, its agents, or representatives from implementing or giving effect to the regulations.

Despite the court’s intervention, the airtime borrowing service remains suspended as of press time, leaving millions of subscribers uncertain about when normal service will resume.