…issues new guidelines to enforce fairness and transparency
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has fixed Monday, January 5, 2026, as the deadline for all digital, electronic, online, and non-traditional lending operators in Nigeria to fully comply with the Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
The regulations, which came into effect on July 21, 2025, under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, are designed to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability across the country’s fast-growing digital lending sector.
In a statement signed by Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, the Commission said it has also released a supplementary document, the Guidelines on the Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 to help operators meet the new compliance standards.
The guidelines, made pursuant to Sections 17 and 163 of the FCCPA, provide detailed direction for lenders and intermediaries, explain documentation requirements, and introduce revised Forms 1 and 3 based on feedback from stakeholders.
The statement reads: “Applicants with pending submissions may provide any additional information required under the new Guidelines without waiting for a formal request. The Commission will continue to process applications promptly and maintain a transparent review process.
“Full compliance is not only a legal requirement but an important step in protecting consumers and ensuring that the sector continues to grow in a fair and responsible manner. Operators have had ample time to adjust to the Regulations and the additional guidance now provided. We expect all obligations to be met before the deadline.
“All affected operators, including lending platforms, service partners, and intermediaries, are expected to complete their compliance obligations by 5 January 2026. Enforcement will begin immediately after the deadline.
“Measures may include restricting non-compliant entities from operating, directing partners or platforms to cease dealing with them, and applying other sanctions permitted under the law.”
The Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, stressed that the Commission would not extend the deadline, warning that enforcement actions will be decisive and immediate.
He said the FCCPC’s objective was not only to regulate the sector but to ensure that consumer protection and ethical financial practices remain central to digital lending operations in Nigeria.
Copies of the new guidelines, forms, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been made available on the Commission’s official website, www.fccpc.gov.ng, and at all FCCPC offices nationwide.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible, transparent, and sustainable digital lending practices that protect consumers while strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem.
