Court Orders MTN and Airtel to Restore Airtime Services

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order directing MTN Nigeria Communications PLC and Airtel Network Limited to restore their airtime credit services, which had been suspended. This ruling follows a separate case concerning the enforcement of new digital lending regulations that led to the suspension of these services affecting millions of subscribers.

The court granted an interim injunction on April 24, 2026, restraining the telecom operators from suspending or restricting their services pending the determination of a substantive suit filed by Nairtime. The plaintiff alleged that the telecom companies planned to suspend access to telecommunications platforms, including USSD channels and short codes, which are vital for prepaid subscribers, particularly small business owners and low-income earners.

Additionally, a similar ruling was made in Lagos, where the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission was restrained from enforcing provisions of the lending regulations against wireless service providers while hearings are ongoing.