MTN Nigeria has announced the suspension of its airtime and data credit service, Xtratime, in compliance with new regulations issued by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). This development was officially communicated by the telecommunications giant in a recent filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday. The company statement, signed by Company Secretary Uto Ukpanah, explicitly links the suspension to the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.

These comprehensive regulations introduce a stringent compliance and licensing framework specifically designed for companies that offer digital or non-traditional consumer credit services. MTN's Xtratime service, which permits eligible subscribers to borrow essential airtime or data and subsequently repay these credits upon their next mobile recharge, falls directly under the purview of these new regulatory stipulations.

Despite the suspension of Xtratime, MTN has reassured its customer base that they retain the ability to purchase airtime and data seamlessly through various other available digital channels. The company has also stated that it does not anticipate this suspension to have a material effect on its overall earnings. Furthermore, MTN is actively monitoring shifts in customer behavior as a result of this change and has pledged to provide comprehensive updates regarding any potential impact in its first-quarter 2026 financial results.

It is important to note the background of these regulatory changes. The FCCPC initially introduced guidelines for digital lending in 2022, which were subsequently expanded and fortified in 2025. This expansion specifically broadened the scope to encompass telecommunications operators and other providers of short-term credit services, ensuring a wider regulatory net. A core requirement under these updated regulations mandates that all digital lenders must officially register with the commission.

Operators were initially given until October 31, 2025, to complete their registration, with a significant penalty of N100 million stipulated for non-compliance. This deadline was later extended to January 5. More recently, operators were given until April (implied for the current year, following the earlier deadlines) to ensure their full compliance and registration under the new rules. Tunji Bello, the chief executive officer of the FCCPC, has issued a clear warning, indicating that operators failing to adhere to these compliance deadlines may face direct regulatory action.