FCCPC Loan App Harassment Crackdown: ₦100m Fines Ahead

The FCCPC Loan App Harassment crackdown has begun. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is urging Nigerians to report any harassment by digital loan apps. The move follows the launch of the Digital Economy and Online Lending (DEON) Consumer Lending Regulations, which came into effect on July 21, 2025.

These rules set strict limits on how lenders can recover debts. Apps are now banned from tactics such as accessing borrowers’ phone contacts without consent, sending defamatory messages, or shaming people publicly. Any company caught breaking the law could face fines of up to ₦100 million.

The FCCPC said the crackdown became necessary due to the growing number of complaints from borrowers. Nigeria’s ₦2.5 trillion digital lending market has been expanding quickly, but many users say they face harassment instead of fair treatment.

So far, the commission has recovered more than ₦10 billion for consumers who were wronged by loan apps. Nigerians who experience harassment can file complaints through the FCCPC’s online portal or call its hotlines.

The FCCPC Loan App Harassment crackdown is expected to restore public trust in digital lending. The agency stressed that while quick loans are useful, they must follow ethical rules. It urged all victims of harassment to come forward and demand their rights.