BREAKING: FCCPC informs Nigerians to report loan apps and businesses harassing them over unpaid loans. They said “No consumer should live in fear.”
Lagos, Nigeria — The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a fresh warning to digital lenders and businesses in Nigeria, urging them to desist from harassing customers over unpaid loans. The Commission also called on Nigerians to report any instance of abuse or intimidation, stressing that “no consumer should live in fear.”
Growing Complaints Against Loan Apps
In recent years, digital lending platforms — popularly known as loan apps — have multiplied across Nigeria, offering quick access to credit outside traditional banking channels. But the convenience has come at a cost. Thousands of consumers have reported harassment, including:
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Frequent threatening phone calls and text messages
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Public shaming through bulk messages sent to friends, relatives, or employers
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Abusive language and intimidation tactics
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Unauthorized sharing of personal data
Such practices have led to social stigma, loss of employment, and severe emotional distress for many borrowers.
The FCCPC, which regulates market practices and protects consumer rights, said these tactics violate both consumer protection laws and new lending regulations introduced this year.
FCCPC’s Latest Move
In a statement, the Commission emphasized that while borrowers are obliged to repay their debts, lenders must follow the law when recovering loans.
“Harassment, intimidation, and public shaming are unacceptable. No consumer should live in fear because of how a business chooses to recover debts,” the FCCPC said.
The agency pointed to the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, which came into effect in July. These rules explicitly ban harassment, data abuse, and defamatory debt-recovery practices.
Under these regulations, all digital lenders are required to register with the FCCPC and comply with ethical debt collection standards. Defaulters face penalties including fines, delisting, and in severe cases, outright shutdown.
How Consumers Can Report Loan App Harassment
The FCCPC urged Nigerians who experience harassment from loan apps or other businesses to file formal complaints. To do this:
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Gather Evidence
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Save text messages, WhatsApp chats, and call logs.
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Take screenshots of threats or defamatory posts.
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Record the name of the app, company, and any contact numbers.
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Prepare a Complaint
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Include your name and contact details.
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Describe the harassment clearly with dates and examples.
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Attach evidence (screenshots, call records, messages).
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Submit to FCCPC
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Email: complaints@fccpc.gov.ng
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Online: Through the consumer complaint form at www.fccpc.gov.ng
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Social Media: @FCCPCNigeria on X (formerly Twitter) and other verified handles
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In Person or Mail: At FCCPC offices nationwide
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Follow Up
Victims are encouraged to follow up on their cases. Where harassment involves threats or defamation, the police can also be contacted.
Why This Matters
Consumer advocates say the Commission’s intervention is vital in curbing harmful practices that have tainted Nigeria’s digital lending sector. By empowering consumers to report abuses, the FCCPC hopes to restore dignity and fairness in the credit market.
The agency reiterated that while loans must be repaid, repayment cannot be pursued through unlawful means.
“We encourage Nigerians to come forward. The Commission will investigate complaints and hold violators accountable,” the FCCPC assured.
With this step, the FCCPC is signaling that Nigeria’s lending landscape must evolve — not just to provide access to credit, but to protect the rights and dignity of every consumer.
