Elegbede Abiodun
The court had ordered the immediate restoration of digital credit services.
The face-off in the Nigeria’s telecommunications sector affecting many Nigerians continue as industry giants, MTN and Airtel, alongside Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have reportedly failed to comply with a definitive judgment from the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The court had ordered the immediate restoration of digital credit services provided by Nairtime Nigeria Ltd, following a legal battle over the suspension of the popular XtraTime and XtraByte platforms on April 23, 2026.
The presiding judge, in a landmark ruling, described the suspension of access to Nairtime as an “unlawful interference” with its valid operational license issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The court granted a perpetual injunction restraining the telecommunications firms from further disrupting the service. However, days after the judgment was delivered, the services remain in limbo, leaving millions of Nigerians without access to critical emergency airtime and data credit.
The silence of the FCCPC has raised eyebrows among consumer rights advocates. As the body mandated to protect consumers from unfair business practices and ensure market competition, its perceived inaction in enforcing a court-ordered restoration of service is being viewed as a lapse in institutional accountability.
Nairtime, which provides the technology backbone for the credit services, is now aggressively pushing for the enforcement of the order. The company argues that the continued defiance by the telcos not only stifles its statutory rights but also penalizes its 156 million combined subscribers who rely on these services for seamless connectivity.
Inudstry watchers have expressed concern over what they describe as a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in Nigeria.
“When a court of competent jurisdiction issues a perpetual injunction, it is not a suggestion; it is a command. For corporate entities to choose which judgments to obey and which to ignore is an invitation to anarchy and a direct hit on the investment climate,” anonymous sources say.
The XtraTime and XtraByte services are essential tools for Nigeria’s informal economy, allowing small business owners and individuals to stay online even when they lack immediate liquidity to purchase vouchers.
