MTN Nigeria suspends airtime, data lending services over FCCPC regulation

By Abubakar Yunusa

The largest telecommunications operator in Nigeria, MTN, has temporarily suspended its airtime and data lending services known as “Extratime”, citing the new regulation released by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as the reason.
The company disclosed this in a corporate disclosure to the NGX released on Thursday.
According to the company, the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, introduced a fresh compliance and licensing framework for companies offering digital or non-traditional consumer credit services in Nigeria.
In the disclosure signed by its Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, MTN noted Xtratime allows eligible subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge, making it one of the widely used value-added services among prepaid users.
“MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN Nigeria or the Company) hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public that the Company has temporarily suspended its airtime and data credit advance service (“Xtratime”).
“This relates 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 stated.
MTN said customers will continue to have access to other digital channels for purchasing airtime and data while the service remains suspended.
The company also assured investors that the temporary halt is not expected to significantly affect earnings.
“Given the scale within the revenue mix, we do not expect the temporary suspension to have a material impact,” the company stated.
MTN added that it is monitoring customer behaviour and usage trends and will provide further details on any measurable impact in its first quarter 2026 results.