A Federal High Court in Lagos has refused to lift an earlier order stopping the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) from enforcing parts of its new consumer lending rules.
The court decision keeps in place restrictions on the commission’s attempt to regulate airtime lending and other digital credit services offered by telecom-linked providers.
Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa gave the ruling in a case filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN). The suit is marked FHC/L/CS/760/2026. The judge had earlier granted an interim injunction on April 15, following an urgent application filed a day earlier by the association.
That order stopped the FCCPC, its officials and agents from enforcing the disputed sections of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025. The restriction was to remain until the court hears the matter fully.
When the case came up again on April 28, the FCCPC asked the court to either go ahead with the hearing immediately or remove the interim order. The commission argued that the injunction should not continue to stand.
WASPAN opposed the request. The group told the court that the FCCPC had only just filed and served its preliminary objection. It said it needed time to study and respond properly. The association also warned that lifting the order now would give the regulator full powers to enforce rules that are still being challenged in court.
After listening to both sides, Justice Lewis-Allagoa declined the FCCPC’s request. He ruled that the interim injunction would remain in force. He also directed that the main suit and the FCCPC’s preliminary objection would be heard together.
The court then fixed May 15, 2026, for the next hearing.
The ruling means that telecom-based service providers can continue to operate airtime lending, data advance and related services without interference from the disputed regulations for now.
WASPAN has insisted that some parts of the FCCPC rules go beyond its legal powers. The association argued that the regulations may clash with the authority of the Nigerian Communications Commission. It also raised concerns about possible heavy compliance demands on licensed operators.
The FCCPC, on its part, has maintained that the regulations are meant to protect consumers from unfair lending practices in the fast-growing digital credit space.
The case is expected to test the limits of regulatory powers between agencies in Nigeria’s telecom and consumer protection sectors.