Communications Plc (MTN Nigeria) has announced the temporary suspension of its popular Xtratime service, which provides airtime and data credit advances to customers.
The decision, disclosed in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) today, is to allow the company to fully implement processes required under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025 (DEON Regulations).
“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, which introduced a new compliance and licensing framework for entities providing digital or non-traditional consumer credit services,” the company stated in the notice signed by Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary.
Xtratime (also referred to as XtraTime or XtraByte for data) enables eligible MTN customers to borrow airtime or data via the USSD code *303# when their balance is low, with repayment typically deducted from future recharges. The service has been a key convenience tool for millions of subscribers across Nigeria.
The DEON Regulations, gazetted and effective from July 2025, establish a comprehensive framework for digital and non-traditional lending. They require registration, licensing, transparency in operations, ethical recovery practices, and specific provisions for telecom operators offering airtime or data advances.
These include mandates on the use of multiple service activation intermediaries (with at least one wholly Nigerian-owned) and broader consumer protection measures to address issues in the digital lending ecosystem.
MTN Nigeria emphasized that the suspension is temporary and forms part of its commitment to regulatory compliance while maintaining high service standards. Customers can continue to purchase airtime and data through standard recharge channels, including airtime vending, bank transfers, and other digital payment options.
The company is actively working to align its processes with the new requirements and will provide updates on the resumption of the Xtratime service as soon as compliance milestones are achieved.
MTN Nigeria remains dedicated to delivering reliable telecommunications services and supporting Nigeria’s digital economy. The company continues to engage constructively with regulators, including the FCCPC and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to balance innovation, consumer protection, and operational sustainability.