MTN Nigeria has suspended its airtime and data credit service, known as Xtratime, following new regulations by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The company disclosed this in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday.
In the statement signed by Company Secretary Uto Ukpanah, MTN said the suspension is linked to the implementation of the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
The regulation introduces a compliance and licensing framework for companies offering digital or non-traditional consumer credit services.
MTN said Xtratime allows eligible subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge.
The company said customers can continue to buy airtime and data through other digital channels while the service remains suspended.
MTN also said the suspension is not expected to affect its earnings.
It added that it is monitoring customer behaviour and will provide updates on any impact in its first quarter 2026 results.
The FCCPC had earlier introduced guidelines for digital lending in 2022 and expanded them in 2025 to cover telecom operators and other providers of short-term credit services.
Under the regulations, all digital lenders are required to register with the commission.
Operators were given until April to complete registration under the new rules.
FCCPC chief executive officer Tunji Bello had said operators that fail to comply within the deadline may face regulatory action.
The commission had earlier set October 31, 2025, as the deadline for registration, with a penalty of N100 million for non-compliance, before extending it to January 5.
