FCCPC resumes digital lending regulations after court vacates restraining order

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced the resumption of its Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (DEON Regulations), following a favorable court judgment.

In a release on Monday, the FCCPC stated that implementation had been temporarily suspended due to a court interim order but is now fully operational again.

“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),” he stated.

The move follows a ruling delivered today by Justice A.L. Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026, brought by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (WASPAN). The court dismissed the plaintiff’s originating summons entirely, declined all reliefs sought, and upheld the validity of the DEON Regulations.

According to the release, the court held that the regulations were made pursuant to the FCCPC’s statutory and constitutional powers and are therefore intra vires the Commission. It also upheld the validity of the specific provisions challenged and discharged the interim order that had restrained implementation.

The FCCPC welcomed the judgment. Reacting to the outcome, Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, emphasised the Commission’s commitment to the rule of law, “The Commission has always maintained that the rule of law is fundamental to effective regulation and good governance. When the Court issued its interim order, we immediately suspended implementation of the Regulations in full compliance with the Court’s directive. Now that the Court has affirmed the validity of the DEON Regulations and delivered judgment in favour of the Commission, we will continue to discharge our statutory responsibilities faithfully, professionally and in accordance with the law.”

He added that the regulations aim to promote responsible lending, improve regulatory accountability, curb unfair and exploitative practices, and strengthen consumer protection in Nigeria’s digital lending market.

“The DEON Regulations are designed to promote responsible lending, improve regulatory accountability, curb unfair and exploitative practices, and strengthen consumer protection in Nigeria’s digital lending market. Our objective has always been to ensure that innovation and financial inclusion flourish within a transparent, fair and accountable regulatory framework that inspires confidence among consumers, investors and responsible operators alike,” it added.