MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has temporarily suspended its airtime and data lending service, “Xtratime”, following the introduction of new regulatory requirements by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The telecom operator disclosed the development in a corporate filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday.
According to the company, the suspension is in response to the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, which establish a new compliance and licensing framework for providers of digital credit services.
In the disclosure signed by its Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, MTN explained that the Xtratime service allowed eligible prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.
“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 clarified that the suspension is tied to the implementation of processes required under the new regulations, which aim to strengthen oversight of digital and non-traditional consumer lending in Nigeria.
MTN assured customers that alternative digital channels for purchasing airtime and data remain fully operational during the suspension period.
It also stated that the temporary halt is not expected to have a significant impact on its earnings, noting that the service represents a relatively small portion of its overall revenue mix.
The company added that it would continue to monitor customer behaviour and provide updates on any measurable impact in its first quarter 2026 financial results.
The FCCPC regulation builds on earlier guidelines introduced in 2022 to enhance transparency and consumer protection in the digital lending space.
Under the new framework, all digital lenders including telecom operators offering airtime or data credit services are required to register with the commission.
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The FCCPC had initially set October 31, 2025, as the deadline for compliance, with a N100 million penalty for defaulting operators.
The deadline was later extended to January 5, 2026, and subsequently to April 2026 to allow for full compliance.
The Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, had warned that operators failing to regularise their status within the stipulated period could face further regulatory actions.
