The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has resumed enforcement of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (DEON Regulations).

This follows a Federal High Court judgment affirming its powers to regulate Nigeria’s digital lending industry.

Justice A.L. Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has dismissed in its entirety Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026 filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (WASPAN), which challenged the Commission’s authority to issue and enforce the regulations.

The court declined all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, held that the DEON Regulations were validly made pursuant to the FCCPC’s statutory and constitutional powers and upheld the specific provisions challenged in the suit.

It also discharged the interim ex parte order that had restrained the Commission from implementing and enforcing the regulations.

The Commission stated in Abuja, yesterday, that the judgment removed the legal obstacle that led the FCCPC to suspend enforcement of the regulations in April.

The DEON Regulations were introduced by the Commission as part of efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s rapidly-expanding digital lending sector, which has faced persistent complaints over harassment of borrowers, unauthorised access to personal data, abusive debt recovery practices and the operation of unlicensed loan apps.

The regulations set out licensing requirements, consumer protection standards and operational obligations for digital lenders.

The FCCPC had begun implementing the framework before WASPAN challenged the Commission’s powers in court, resulting in the temporary suspension of enforcement pending the determination of the suit.

With the latest judgment, the Commission said the regulations are once again fully operational and enforceable.

Reacting to the decision, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the Commission had complied fully with the interim court order out of respect for the rule of law and would continue to carry out its statutory responsibilities in line with the judgment.

He explained that the regulations are intended to promote responsible lending, improve regulatory accountability, curb unfair and exploitative practices, and strengthen consumer protection in Nigeria’s digital lending market.

According to him, the Commission remains committed to ensuring that financial innovation and digital lending grow within a transparent and accountable regulatory framework that protects consumers while providing certainty for responsible operators and investors.