The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has set January 5, 2026 as the official compliance deadline for operators in Nigeria’s digital lending market to meet the requirements of the new Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
Quick summary (at a glance)
- Regulation: Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (FCCPC).
- Effective date: Regulations commenced around October 22, 2025.
- Compliance deadline for existing operators: January 5, 2026.
- Registration/transition window: Many processes require compliance within 90 days of commencement.
Why the FCCPC introduced the rules
The regulations aim to stop predatory lending, protect consumers from harassment, prevent unlawful data sharing, ensure transparent pricing, and require responsible behaviour among digital lenders.
Who must comply?
This includes:
- Online/digital loan apps
- Fintech lending platforms
- Loan intermediaries or marketplaces
- Third-party collection agents
- Traditional lenders offering non-traditional digital credit
Key obligations for digital lenders
- FCCPC registration during the transition window.
- Clear pricing disclosure and transparent terms.
- Data protection compliance under NDPC rules.
- No harassment or data abuse during loan recovery.
- Recordkeeping & reporting for audits and compliance checks.
Penalties for non-compliance
Operators who fail to comply may face administrative fines, sanctions, platform delisting, licence restrictions, and other FCCPC enforcement actions.
Timeline
- 2025: FCCPC released the new regulations.
- Oct 22, 2025: Operational commencement of rules.
- Nov 2025: FCCPC announced compliance deadline.
- Jan 5, 2026: Deadline for all digital lenders.
Checklist for lenders
- Register with FCCPC.
- Update customer contracts and disclosures.
- Register with NDPC and appoint a DPO.
- Implement compliant collection practices.
- Prepare reporting and audit records.
What consumers should know
Consumers will benefit from clearer loan terms, safer data-handling, and restrictions on abusive collection practices. Those facing harassment can report such incidents to the FCCPC.
Sources
- FCCPC Digital Lending Regulation (2025)
- News reports and compliance notices about the Jan 5, 2026 deadline
- Legal and fintech regulatory analysis