MTN Nigeria has temporarily halted its airtime and data advance service, Xtratime, in response to new regulatory directives introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
The telecom giant announced the move in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday, explaining that the suspension is necessary to comply with the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
Xtratime is a service that allows prepaid users to borrow airtime or data and repay the amount during their next recharge.
In the disclosure signed by Company Secretary Uto Ukpanah, MTN clarified that the service now falls within the scope of the newly introduced regulations, which require providers of digital credit services to meet fresh licensing and compliance standards.
“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 company further explained that the decision is tied 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”.
MTN reassured subscribers that other options for purchasing airtime and data remain available, adding that the temporary suspension is not expected to significantly impact its overall earnings.
