Subscribers kick as FCCPC directive grounds airtime borrowing services

Nigerian telecom subscribers have expressed frustration over the suspension of airtime borrowing services following a directive from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, which has led to the unavailability of the popular *303# short code across major networks.

The service, which allows users to borrow airtime and repay on subsequent recharge, has been widely used as an emergency credit option, particularly by low-income earners. Its sudden disruption has triggered complaints across social media, with many subscribers describing the suspension as disruptive to daily communication needs.

According to reports, the suspension was not initiated by telecom operators alone but followed regulatory instructions from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The directive reportedly stemmed from concerns over compliance with the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON) 2025.

A letter dated April 2, 2026, was said to have ordered operators to halt services linked to the lending framework, citing requirements that telecom companies only engage FCCPC-approved service providers. Punch