Court Restores Airtime and Data Lending Services in Nigeria

On April 28, 2026, a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled to reinstate airtime and data lending services for major telecommunications networks, specifically MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria. The court found that the suspension of these services, which had occurred in recent months, was executed without proper regulatory backing and was deemed unfair to consumers.

Justice Ibrahim Musa delivered the judgment, emphasizing that telecom providers must operate within the framework of consumer protection laws to ensure subscribers are not subjected to abrupt service withdrawals. The ruling was welcomed by telecom subscribers, including Chinedu Okek, who highlighted the reliance on borrowing airtime, especially during emergencies.

Aisha Bello noted the importance of the services for those who may not have immediate access to recharge. As of the ruling, MTN and Airtel had yet to issue an official statement regarding the full implementation of the court order.