Court Halts Telecoms from Suspending Airtime Credit Services

On April 24, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim order that restrains telecommunications firms MTN Nigeria Communications PLC and Airtel Nigeria from suspending or restricting airtime credit services. This ruling follows an ex parte application filed by Nairtim, which argued that the intended actions by the telecom companies would unlawfully interfere with their business operations and access to telecommunications platforms, including USSD channels and short codes.

The court noted that the telecom operators could not set aside contractual agreements without proper notice and that they must comply with existing regulatory obligations. The ruling maintains the status quo pending the determination of a substantive suit challenging the regulatory actions linked to digital lending operations.

Similar interim orders were also granted in a related case in Lagos on April 15, 2026, involving the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.