MTN Nigeria has halted its airtime and data advance service, Xtratime, in compliance with new regulatory directives issued by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
The telecommunications firm disclosed this in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday, explaining that the suspension was necessary to align with the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
Xtratime enables prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or data with repayment deducted from subsequent recharges.
In the filing signed by the Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, MTN stated that the service now falls within the category of digital lending, thereby subjecting it to fresh licensing and compliance requirements under the new framework.
The company said the temporary suspension would allow it to complete necessary regulatory processes before resuming the service.
MTN, however, assured subscribers that alternative options for purchasing airtime and data remain available, adding that the development is unlikely to significantly impact its financial performance.
According to the firm, the contribution of the suspended service to its overall revenue remains minimal.
The FCCPC regulations extend oversight to telecom operators and other providers of short-term digital credit, mandating registration and approval before such services can continue.
The commission had earlier introduced guidelines for digital lending in 2022 but strengthened them in 2025 to address concerns around consumer protection, data privacy and lending practices.
Full compliance with the new rules is expected by April 2026, as regulators tighten control over Nigeria’s growing digital credit sector.