MTN Nigeria has suspended its airtime and data credit advance service, known as Xtratime, to comply with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) regulatory requirements.
The telecommunications company disclosed the temporary suspension of the credit service in a statement signed by its secretary, Uto Ukpanah, and posted on the Nigerian Exchange Group on Thursday.
Xtratime enables prepaid users to access airtime or data on credit, with repayment made upon their next recharge.
The statement reads: “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’)”.
MTN further explained that the suspension is 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”.
The company reassured subscribers that alternative channels for purchasing airtime and data remain available, adding that the pause in service is unlikely to significantly impact 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, adding that it was monitoring customer behaviour and usage patterns and would provide updates in its first quarter 2026 results.
The FCCPC’s 2025 rules broaden regulatory oversight of digital lending to cover telecom operators and other short-term credit providers.
Under the revised guidelines, firms offering airtime and data credit must complete registration and obtain approval before continuing such services.
Although the commission had earlier introduced a digital lending framework in 2022, the 2025 update expands its scope with stricter compliance requirements.
Deadlines have been outlined for transitional compliance, with full registration expected to be completed by April 2026.
The stricter regulatory stance follows increasing concerns about consumer indebtedness, data protection, and lending practices within Nigeria’s fast-growing digital credit market.
