A Nigerian lawyer, Confidence Aribibia, has advised borrowers to know their rights when dealing with loan apps.
She warned against giving in to threats, harassment, and intimidation from digital lenders.
Aribibia shared the advice in a Facebook post that has attracted widespread attention.
Verify the Loan App’s Legal Status
The lawyer urged borrowers to confirm whether a loan app operates legally.
According to her, some digital lenders may not have the required licences from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
She said many of these platforms rely on fear to pressure customers into making repayments.
“That loan app threatening you, calling your contacts, and sending messages to people in your phone — ask yourself if they are operating legally,” she wrote.
Fear Remains Their Biggest Tool
Furthermore, Aribibia said many borrowers panic when loan apps threaten arrest, blacklisting, or damage to their credit records.
She argued that some of these threats serve mainly as intimidation tactics.
“Fear is their biggest weapon, not the law,” she stated.
According to her, borrowers who understand their legal rights are less likely to fall victim to harassment.
Repay Debts, But Reject Intimidation
However, the lawyer stressed that borrowers must repay genuine debts.
She clarified that her comments do not encourage anyone to avoid financial obligations.
Instead, she urged Nigerians to reject unlawful collection methods.
“If you borrowed money, you should repay. But never allow them to intimidate you into silence and fear,” she said.
Lenders Must Follow the Law
In addition, Aribibia noted that lenders seeking legal action must comply with the law.
She said they should identify themselves, provide evidence of licensing, and operate within regulatory guidelines.
According to her, many borrowers fail to ask these important questions when facing pressure from loan apps.
Online Reactions Follow Advice
Meanwhile, the post generated reactions from Nigerians who shared their experiences with digital lenders.
Some users complained about repeated phone calls, messages to relatives, and public shaming.
Others called for stricter regulation of loan apps and stronger consumer protection measures.
