The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced January 5, 2026, as the final deadline for digital lenders to fully comply with the digital, electronic, online and non-traditional consumer lending regulations, 2025.
The regulations, which became effective on July 21, 2025, under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, aim to instil fairness, transparency, and accountability within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital lending space.
To aid operators in meeting the mandated standards, the Commission has released supplementary guidance in the form of the “guidelines on the digital, electronic, online and non-traditional consumer lending regulations, 2025.”
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This document, issued under Sections 17 and 163 of the FCCPA, offers practical direction to lenders and intermediaries, details documentation requirements, and includes updated forms 1 and 3, which incorporate recent stakeholder feedback.
Applicants who have already submitted their documentation are encouraged to proactively provide any additional information required by the new guidelines without waiting for a formal request.
The FCCPC stated it would continue to process all applications efficiently and maintain a transparent review system.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, underscored the critical nature of the timeline.
“Full compliance is not only a legal requirement but an important step in protecting consumers and ensuring that the sector continues to grow fairly and responsibly”, Bello stated.
He emphasised that operators have been given sufficient time to adapt to the regulations and the new guidance, and the commission expects all obligations to be met before the deadline.
All entities involved in the sector, including lending platforms, service partners, and intermediaries, must complete their compliance requirements by January 5, 2026.
The FCCPC confirmed that enforcement actions will begin immediately after the deadline.
Potential measures against non-compliant entities include operational restrictions, directives for partners and platforms to cease dealing with them, and the application of other lawful sanctions.
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Copies of the new guidelines, forms, and a frequently asked questions (FAQs) document are available to the public on the commission’s website at fccpc.gov.ng, through enquiries at FCCPC offices nationwide, or via other official channels.
The commission remains committed to fostering responsible digital lending practices that secure consumer protection and promote confidence in Nigeria’s financial technology sector.
