Cable Reporters

FCCPC: No Ban on Airtime Borrowing as MTN Suspends Xtratime for Compliance

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said it did not ban airtime borrowing or data advance services in Nigeria.
This clarification comes after MTN Nigeria announced it was stopping its airtime and data borrowing service, known as Xtratime, to follow new lending rules introduced in 2025.
According to the FCCPC, reports claiming that it shut down these services are false. The commission said it has not stopped Nigerians from using airtime or data borrowing services.
The agency explained that it introduced the new rules in July 2025 to fix problems many users complained about. These problems include hidden charges, unexplained deductions, and harsh methods used to recover borrowed airtime or data.
The rules are meant to make the system fairer and more transparent. They require service providers to clearly explain their charges, protect customer data, and create easy ways for customers to complain.
The FCCPC also said some telecom companies were not following fair competition rules. Because of this, the new regulations were designed to make the market more open and competitive.
Although companies were given time to comply with the rules until January 5, 2026, some failed to meet the deadline.
The commission added that any decision to stop or change services, like MTN’s Xtratime suspension, was made by the companies themselves to meet the new rules—not because the FCCPC banned the services.

Finally, the FCCPC warned that some people are spreading false information to confuse the public and weaken its efforts to protect consumers.

"If The Govt Cannot Defend The Christians In The North, Wake Up From Your Slumber And Defend Yourself" — Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Global Stocks Slide Amid Escalating US–Iran Threats.

Major stock markets in Asia have slumped after Washington and Tehran threatened to escalate hostilities, as the US-Israel war with Iran enters its fourth week.

Japan's Nikkei share index closed 3.5% lower, while South Korea's Kospi fell by 6.5%. In Europe, London's FTSE 100 opened down 1.4%.

US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday he would "obliterate" Iranian power plants if Iran did not open the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Iran said it would respond to any such strikes by targeting key infrastructure in the region.

Japan and South Korea have been particularly affected by the conflict, as they are heavily dependent on oil and gas that would normally pass through the strait.

Climate Crisis Deepens: World Meteorological Organization Warns Earth at Breaking Point.

The World Meteorological Organization says that our planet is gaining much more heat energy than it can release, driven by emissions of warming gases such as carbon dioxide.

This record energy imbalance heated the ocean to new heights last year and continued to melt our planet's ice caps.

And scientists fear that a natural warming phase called El Niño – expected to begin later this year - could soon bring further heat records.

In response to the report, UN Secretary General António Guterres reiterated his call for countries to move away from fossil fuels to renewable energy to deliver climate security, energy security and national security.

Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red, he warned.

GHANA ARRETS 93 NIGERIANS IN CYBERCRIME RAID.

Authorities in Ghana have arrested 93 Nigerians over alleged cybercrime and human trafficking activities in Accra, while rescuing 73 other Nigerians reportedly subjected to torture and abuse.
A report by ABC News GH on Tuesday, citing the Ghana Immigration Service, revealed that among those arrested were 91 men and two women facing charges related to cybercrime and immigration violations. The 73 rescued victims have been repatriated to Nigeria.
The mass arrests followed coordinated operations in six houses at the DEVTRACO Estate, targeting a network allegedly involved in internet fraud and unlawful detention of individuals.
Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Newman Akuffo, who led the operation under the GIS National Operations Unit, said officers recovered a substantial quantity of items, including 82 laptops, 57 mobile phones, 17 television sets, counterfeit US dollars, and fake gold bars believed to have been used in fraudulent schemes.

F.G:Reps Urge FG To Rescind Blanket Ban On Degrees From Benin Republic.

The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to rescind its blanket invalidation of degree certificates obtained from the Republics of Benin and Togo.

The green chamber made the decision following the consideration and approval of reports from its Committee on Public Petitions, which reviewed concerns raised after the Federal Government announced a ban on recognising university degrees from the two West African countries.

The House urged the Federal Government to adopt a case-by-case verification mechanism to address confirmed instances of fraud, rather than imposing a blanket sanction.

It also recommended that the Federal Ministry of Education work closely with education authorities in Benin and Togo to strengthen verification frameworks, curb academic fraud, and authenticate foreign qualifications.

Petrol Price Jumps to N1,300 Per Litre in Nigeria

Nigerians have been exposed to more hardship as oil marketers yesterday increased the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol to 1,300 naira per litre from N1,050 per litre.

This indicates an increase of 24 per cent, following the consistent rise in crude oil prices to 110 dollars per barrel in the international market, amid the Middle East crisis.

Also, the pump price of Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, increased to N1,380 per litre from N1, 100 per litre at MRS outlets, while the NNPC Limited outlets sold it at N1,680 per litre in Lagos and environs.

The price of petrol rose sharply to between N1,200 and N1,300 per litre in Ibadan and neighbouring communities in Oyo State.

Prior to the latest increase, the product was sold at between N1,020 and N1,080 per litre.

Tinubu: governor's no longer borrow to pay salaries.

President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria has overcome economic challenges under his administration, stressing that state governors no longer run to banks for loans to pay salaries.

The President made the remarks on Monday while hosting religious and traditional leaders for an interfaith breaking of the fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

President Tinubu promised to continue making the most of the opportunity given to him to lead the country by sustaining the trajectory of economic growth and prosperity.

It was very daunting and challenging when we took over. But today I can say with pride and joy that we have survived. No governor in this country is running around the banks to borrow money to pay the salaries of their workers, the President said.

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Tinubu didn’t understand govt workings when he removed fuel subsidy - Dalung

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, saying the move was taken without consultation and adequate understanding of government processes.

“The admission that subsidy removal was the only option is a demonstration of poverty of ideas and knowledge because in life, there are too many alternatives. For them to single out this issue defines the vested interest in the withdrawal of fuel subsidy,” Dalung said.

He argued that fuel subsidy removal was not necessary at the time it was announced, insisting that the real challenge was not the subsidy itself but how it was managed.

“I don’t see it as something that was necessary at that point in time. If we know as a fact that the subsidy regime has been investigated by the National Assembly, the fraud had been established, companies were indicted, meaning that the problem is not even the withdrawal of subsidy but the subsidy management itself,” he said.

The ex-minister accused the Federal Government of failing to hold those responsible for years of alleged fraud in the subsidy system accountable, adding that the President’s decision to announce the policy instead of going after subsidy fraudsters was an endorsement of fraud.

You never obeyed court orders as AGF, Onoh tells Malami Onoh.

Former spokesman for the South-East to President Bola Tinubu Mr. Josef Onoh, has accused former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami of hypocrisy and disregard for the rule of law during his time in the office.

Jonathan’s kinsmen urge Tinubu to seek re-election in 2027, pledge total support.

Kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan, from Ogbia Kingdom in Bayelsa and Rivers states, on Wednesday night called on President Bola Tinubu to seek re-election in 2027.