Legal Win for Nigerian Consumers: Court Orders Continuity of Essential Telecom Services
Nairtime Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of global AI-powered financial infrastructure group Optasia, announced that the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, issued an interim injunction on 24 April 2026. The order restrains MTN Nigeria Communications PLC and Airtel Networks Limited from suspending or interfering with Nairtime’s access to essential telecommunications platforms.
The court’s ruling, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/779/2026, prevents disruptions to vital infrastructure such as Short Codes, SMS, USSD, and billing services, following a directive from the FCCPC that threatened to leave Nigerians without a safety net. This decision guarantees that millions of consumers, especially those without access to traditional banking, can continue to access airtime and data on credit—services crucial for daily communication, work, education, and digital engagement.
The intervention offers policy certainty and ensures service continuity for users who rely on these platforms not only for connectivity but also as gateways to financial inclusion and digital identity in Nigeria’s increasingly digital economy. It also affirms the legitimacy of Nairtime’s operations, which are conducted under a valid Value-Added Service (VAS) license issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Nairtime emphasizes that it has always complied with regulatory requirements and contractual obligations. The company noted that the suspension related to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 could disrupt services relied upon daily by ordinary Nigerians.
Ms. Uchenna Agbo, Chief Commercial Officer of Optasia and CEO of Nairtime Nigeria Limited, commented:
“This decision is ultimately about protecting underserved Nigerian consumers. It ensures that millions of people many of whom are underserved by traditional financial systems, retain uninterrupted access to essential digital services.
Over time, using these services responsibly can help them prove reliability and improve their chances of accessing bigger financial opportunities in the future. Our platform enables responsible, data-driven lending that keeps people connected when they need it most and we look forward to working with our partners to restore services in a manner that resumes full service value to the Nigerian consumers without further delay.”
Nairtime Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to consumer and data protection through strict governance frameworks and ethical AI use. The company also expressed its support for the broader consumer protection goals of the Federal Government and its willingness to engage constructively with regulators and industry partners.
She added: “We have built a system that supports inclusion at scale, while maintaining strong risk controls for industry stability and economic impact. This ruling allows us to continue delivering safe, reliable services that Nigerians depend on every day. We remain focused on ensuring that the Nigerian consumer stays at the centre of innovation and will continue working with regulators and our partners, including MTN and Airtel, to promote a fair, transparent, and inclusive digital ecosystem that benefits Nigeria and all Nigerians.”