MTN Nigeria has suspended its airtime and data advance service, Xtratime, following new regulatory requirements introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
The telecom firm disclosed the development in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday, stating that the move is to ensure compliance with the commission’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
Xtratime allows prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay during their next recharge cycle.
In the filing signed by the company secretary, Uto Ukpanah, MTN said the service falls within the scope of the new lending regulations, which require operators offering digital credit services to meet fresh licensing and compliance obligations.
“MTN Nigeria Communications PLC hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public that the company has temporarily suspended its airtime and data credit advance service, Xtratime,” the statement read.
The company explained that the decision was linked to “the implementation of processes under the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, which introduced a new compliance and licensing framework for entities providing digital or non-traditional consumer credit services.”
Despite the suspension, MTN reassured customers that other options for purchasing airtime and data remain available, adding that the pause is not expected to significantly affect its financial performance.
“Given the scale within the revenue mix, we do not expect the temporary suspension to have a material impact,” the company said, noting that it would continue to monitor customer usage trends and provide further updates in its first-quarter 2026 results.
The FCCPC’s updated regulations broaden oversight of digital lending to include telecommunications operators and other providers of short-term credit services. Under the new framework, affected companies must register and obtain approval to continue offering such services.
The commission had earlier introduced guidelines for digital lending in 2022 but expanded them in 2025 with stricter compliance measures. Full registration is expected to be completed by April 2026.
Regulators say the tighter rules are aimed at addressing concerns around consumer debt, data privacy, and lending practices in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital credit market.
