Lagos — The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has lifted its suspension and will immediately resume full implementation and enforcement of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
The move follows a landmark ruling by the Federal High Court in Lagos, which upheld the validity of the regulations and dismissed a legal challenge brought by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (WASPAN).
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice A.L. Allagoa dismissed WASPAN’s originating summons in its entirety in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026. The court ruled that the DEON Regulations were validly made pursuant to the FCCPC’s statutory and constitutional powers, rejected all reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, and discharged the interim ex parte order that had restrained the Commission from enforcing the rules. The FCCPC had suspended implementation of the regulations in April 2026 to comply with the court’s interim directive.
Reacting to the judgment, the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the ruling reinforces the rule of law and clears the way for the agency to continue its regulatory mandate.
“The Commission has always maintained that the rule of law is fundamental to effective regulation and good governance,” Ijagwu stated. “When the Court issued its interim order, we immediately suspended implementation of the Regulations in full compliance. Now that the Court has affirmed the validity of the DEON Regulations, we will continue to discharge our statutory responsibilities faithfully, professionally and in accordance with the law.”
Ijagwu added that the regulations aim to promote responsible lending practices, curb unfair and exploitative conduct, and enhance consumer protection in Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital lending sector.
“The DEON Regulations are designed to promote responsible lending, improve regulatory accountability, curb unfair and exploitative practices, and strengthen consumer protection,” he said. “Our objective has always been to ensure that innovation and financial inclusion flourish within a transparent, fair and accountable regulatory framework.”
The development is expected to bring greater clarity and oversight to Nigeria’s online lending market, which has seen significant expansion alongside concerns over predatory practices and consumer exploitation.
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