MTN Nigeria halts Xtratime airtime, data credit service for FCCPC compliance
MTN Nigeria has temporarily suspended its Xtratime airtime and data credit advance service to comply with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission's (FCCPC) Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025. The disclosure, made in a statement signed by company secretary Uto Ukpanah and posted on the Nigerian Exchange Group on Thursday, April 16, 2026, states that the move aligns with the FCCPC's expanded licensing framework for entities offering short‑term credit, including telecom operators. Under the updated rules, telcos must register and obtain approval to continue such services, with full registration required by April 2026 as part of a transitional compliance period aimed at curbing rising consumer debt and improving data privacy in the digital lending sector.
MTN advised customers to use its other digital channels for airtime and data purchases while the suspension is in effect, and assured investors that the halt will not have a material impact on its revenue. The company said it will continue to monitor customer behaviour and usage trends and will disclose any quantified effect in its Q1 2026 results.
For users who rely on Xtratime for emergency airtime or data, the suspension means they must now purchase services outright or explore alternative providers until MTN meets the regulatory requirements and reinstates the advance facility.