The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially moved into the enforcement phase of its new regulatory regime for digital lenders. Following the expiration of the January 5, 2026 deadline, the Commission has begun delisting non-compliant “loan apps” and engaging with hosting platforms like Google and Apple to scrub them from their stores.
Under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello, the Commission is implementing the Digital, Electronic, Online, and Non-Traditional (DEON) Consumer Lending Regulations 2025.
The Enforcement Strategy
The FCCPC has confirmed that the “grace period” for soft warnings is over. The current enforcement includes:
- Immediate Delisting: Operators who failed to regularize their status have been stripped of their “conditionally approved” status and removed from the FCCPC’s public register.
- Platform Engagement: The Commission is working with Google, Apple, and payment service providers to block the operations of unregistered apps.
- Bank Account Freezes: In collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the settlement accounts of illegal operators are being targeted for freezing.
- Hefty Penalties: Violators now face fines starting at ₦100 million or 1% of their annual turnover, whichever is higher, alongside potential criminal prosecution for directors.
Key Deadlines for Operators
| Category | Status | Deadline/Action |
| Non-Compliant DMLs | Unregistered | Enforcement Commenced (Jan 2026) |
| Provisional Holders | Eligible for Transition | April 2026 (To fully regularize) |
| Fully Approved | Compliant | March 31 Annually (File returns) |
The “New Standards” for 2026
The DEON Regulations were introduced to end years of predatory behavior. To stay on the approved list, apps must now prove:
- No Contact Scraping: Strict prohibition against accessing a borrower’s phone contacts, gallery, or private data.
- No Harassment: A ban on defamatory or coercive recovery methods (shaming contacts, etc.).
- GSI Integration: Use of the Global Standing Instruction (GSI) for fair debt recovery.
- Transparent Terms: Clear disclosure of the total cost of borrowing, interest rates, and penalties.
Consumer Warning: The FCCPC advises Nigerians to only use apps found on its published register. Dealing with unregistered lenders places your personal data and financial security at high risk.
