Nigeria’s FCCPC has set a January 5, 2026 deadline for digital lenders to comply with new regulations aimed at protecting consumers and sanitizing the online lending space.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is intensifying its oversight of Nigeria’s digital lending sector, mandating full compliance with the Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 by January 5, 2026. This move is part of a broader effort to curb unethical practices and ensure transparency in the fast-growing fintech space.
FCCPC Tightens Grip on Digital Lending Platforms
The FCCPC’s crackdown comes after years of complaints about harassment, data breaches, and unauthorized deductions by online lenders. The new regulations, which took effect on July 21, 2025, were enacted under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 and are designed to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability across Nigeria’s digital lending ecosystem Arise News The Nation Newspaper Nairametrics.
To guide operators toward compliance, the Commission released a companion document titled Guidelines on the Digital, Electronic, Online and Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025. These guidelines outline documentation standards, updated Forms 1 and 3, and practical steps for lenders and intermediaries to meet regulatory expectations Arise News The Nation Newspaper.
FCCPC spokesperson Ondaje Ijagwu emphasized that the January 5 deadline is final, and non-compliant platforms risk enforcement actions, including delisting and prosecution. The Commission’s goal is to sanitize the sector and restore consumer trust in digital financial services.
This regulatory push signals a new era for Nigeria’s fintech landscape, where innovation must align with ethical standards and legal compliance. As the deadline approaches, digital lenders are racing to update their systems, policies, and customer engagement practices.
