It’s been so sad to watch young Nigerians complain bitterly over the past few days because one of the most important telco services they use just suddenly stopped working.

The *303# service offered by all the telcos, based on a short code approved by the NCC, has not worked for some days now. The service allows telco customers to borrow airtime and/or data.

And if you search on Twitter and Facebook, or even do a basic Google search, you’ll see all the anger and complaints – even pleas – directly at the major telcos, especially MTN and Airtel. What many do not know is that the network providers did not just stop the service.

There is confirmation that a silent issue that had been on for many months is the reason behind it. And the FCCPC, which ordinarily should protect consumers, is the one behind what has caused so much pain to those they should be protecting and helping.

A cuticular circulating online shows that the FCCPC, under the leadership of Tunji Bello, instructed the telcos to shut off the service. The regulatory agency’s letter titles Re: Failure of Compliance with the Digital, Electronic, Online or Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON Lending Regulations 2025) and Ensuing Enforcement referenced an earlier directive issued by the FCCPC to telcos on Thursday, November 13, 2025, to deal only with FCCPC-approved Airtime Credit Services (ACS) providers.

Consumers were not consulted or considered, and the telcos were given no choice. You need to know, guys, that this is not directly from the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), which ordinarily should regulate the telcos. It is not even from the Ministry of Communications headed by Mr Bosun Tijani.

The FCCPC is throwing its weight around, playing games with regulations it should have no business with, and forcing telcos to do its bidding. The telcos typically don’t want to get fined or be in the bad books of the government, so many of them are complying. But are they happy? Your guess is as good as mine.

Meanwhile, the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria LTD/GTE on Tuesday, April 16, was successful in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/760/2026 at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the FCCPC. Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa granted the prayers of the umbrella body for an interim injunction restraining the defendant (FCCPC) whether by itself, officers, employees, agents or such other persons howsoever named from enforcing, implementing and or otherwise giving effect to the enforcement and or implementation of the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 (“The Deon Consumer Lending Regulations”) pending the hearing and final determination of the case.

The *303# telco service is a lifesaver for many. As there have been no complaints against the service, consumers are at a loss to understand why the FCCPC instructed that the service be discontinued.

The current situation demands a thorough dissecting and review of the operational methods of the FCCPC with a view to making it more responsive to the demands of consumers, as Nigerians vehemently demand restoration of telcos’ airtime borrowing service.