MTN suspends airtime, data lending services over FCCPC regulation

The MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has temporarily suspended its airtime and data lending service, “Xtratime”, following new regulations introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The company disclosed this in a corporate filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday.

MTN said the suspension was necessitated by the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025, which established a new compliance and licensing framework for providers of digital credit services.

In the disclosure signed by its Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, the telecom operator explained that Xtratime enabled eligible prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.

“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’).

“This relates to the implementation of processes under the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.

”The implementation introduced a new compliance and licensing framework for entities providing digital or non-traditional consumer credit services,” the company said.

The firm assured customers that other digital channels for purchasing airtime and data would remain available during the suspension.

MTN also noted that the temporary halt was not expected to significantly impact its earnings.

“Given the scale within the revenue mix, we do not expect the temporary suspension to have a material impact,” it stated.

The company added that it would continue to monitor customer behaviour and provide updates on any measurable impact in its first quarter 2026 results.

NAN reports that the FCCPC regulation builds on earlier guidelines issued in 2022 to strengthen oversight of digital lending in Nigeria.

Under the new framework, all digital lenders, including telecom operators offering airtime or data credit services, are required to register with the commission.

The FCCPC had earlier set Oct. 31, 2025, as the deadline for registration, with a penalty of N100 million for non-compliance before extending it to Jan. 5, 2026, and subsequently to April 2026 to allow full compliance.

The Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, had said operators that failed to regularise their status within the stipulated period could face further regulatory actions.