FCCPC Resumes Digital Lending Regulation

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has resumed implementation of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (DEON Regulations).

This follows the judgment delivered today (Monday, July 20) by Justice A.L. Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026 instituted by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (WASPAN).

In the ruling, the Court dismissed the Plaintiff’s Originating Summons in its entirety, declined all the reliefs sought, and upheld the validity of the DEON Regulations, holding that they were made pursuant to the FCCPC’s statutory and constitutional powers and are therefore intra vires the Commission.
The Court also upheld the validity of the specific provisions of the Regulations challenged in the suit and consequently discharged the interim ex parte order that had restrained implementation and enforcement of the Regulations.
Accordingly, the legal impediment that had necessitated the Commission’s temporary suspension of implementation and enforcement of the DEON Regulations has been removed, and the Regulations are once again fully operational and enforceable.

WASPAN had challenged the Commission’s authority to issue and implement the DEON Regulations. Upon being served with the Court’s interim order in April 2026, the FCCPC immediately suspended implementation and enforcement of the Regulations in full compliance with the Court’s directive, consistent with its commitment to the rule of law and respect for judicial authority.

Meanwhile, the FCCPC has welcomed the judgement Reacting, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, said: