Telecom Operators Urge FCCPC and NCC to Establish Clear Rules for Airtime and Data Credit Services

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to develop a clear regulatory framework for airtime and data credit services following a recent Federal High Court judgment.

The appeal comes after the court ruled that the FCCPC has the legal authority to regulate airtime and data credit services while affirming that the NCC retains its exclusive responsibility for telecommunications licensing and technical regulation. The judgment clarified that the powers of both agencies are complementary rather than conflicting.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, who delivered the ruling in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026, explained that the relationship between the two regulators is based on cooperation, stating that “concurrency means coexistence, not displacement.”

Reacting to the judgment, ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo described the decision as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, saying it provides long-awaited clarity on the responsibilities of both regulatory agencies.

According to Adebayo, the next step is for the FCCPC and NCC to work together to establish a practical coordination framework that will guide future regulatory actions and eliminate uncertainty for operators and consumers.

He also urged both agencies to engage industry stakeholders through formal consultations before introducing or enforcing policies that could affect millions of subscribers.

Adebayo referenced the suspension of airtime credit services earlier this year, which lasted for three months following regulatory enforcement before the service was eventually restored. He stressed that such disruptions impact millions of Nigerians who depend on airtime and data credit facilities for communication and business activities.

He noted that approximately 40 million Nigerians rely on these services, making it essential for regulators to define their roles clearly before implementing decisions that could affect public access.

The ALTON chairman further reminded both agencies of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) directive issued on April 6, 2026, which requires all federal agencies to conduct a Regulatory Impact Assessment before introducing major regulatory changes.

Industry stakeholders believe that a well-defined framework between the FCCPC and NCC will provide regulatory certainty, strengthen consumer protection, encourage investment in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, and prevent future disruptions to essential digital services.