Reports Zainab Muhammad Bashir

MTN Nigeria has suspended its airtime and data advance service popularly known as Xtratime following new regulatory requirements introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

MTN disclosed the decision in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday, saying the suspension was to enable compliance with the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.

The telecom operator service allows prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.

According to the document signed by its company secretary, Uto Ukpanah, MTN said Xtratime falls under the scope of the new regulations, which require additional licensing and compliance procedures for providers of digital credit services.

Despite the suspension, MTN said customers would continue to access other channels for purchasing airtime and data and stressed that the decision is not expected to materially affect earnings.

“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.

Have you ever borrowed airtime or data from MTN? What implications do you think the suspension has for many Nigerians who may want to borrow airtime or data? Share your thoughts in the comment below.