OPay EaseMoni Loan Calls Raise Nigeria Data Privacy Questions

In Short

Customers in Nigeria say they are getting repeated promotional loan calls after interacting with digital lending features. The reports centre on OPay’s EaseMoni, and raise questions about consent and data sharing.

What Happened

Some users say Opay starts automated promotional calls after they open or review the EaseMoni loan feature, even when they do not take a loan.

TechCabal described cases like Peace, a research assistant in Ogun State, who took small loans and repaid on time, but says the calls continued for months. She said the messages are pre-recorded and focus on loan discounts and new offers.

In another case shared publicly on LinkedIn, Lagos-based growth professional Franklyne Ikediasor said he reviewed a few loan apps to understand the market. He later received calls and messages from lenders he said he had never interacted with, including pitches to “buy over” existing loans.

For users, this looks like spam, meaning unsolicited marketing that interrupts daily life. For regulators, the bigger question is how phone numbers and other personal data are being used, and whether it is being shared across companies.

Why It Matters

Nigeria’s digital lending boom depends on fast distribution and repeat borrowing. Aggressive outbound calls can boost loan uptake, but they can also damage trust and trigger complaints.

This also touches data protection compliance. “Consent” is the permission a customer gives for a company to use their data for a specific purpose, like marketing calls. If calls start after just browsing, or if data moves between lenders, firms may face scrutiny under Nigeria’s data protection rules.

The outcome matters for fintechs, lenders, and call centre vendors. If regulators tighten enforcement, companies may need clearer opt-ins, simpler opt-outs, and better controls on third-party data access.