MTN Nigeria has paused its lending service, “Xtratime”, due to new regulations from the 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 company noted that the new rules require companies to meet additional compliance obligations and obtain proper licensing from the FCCPC to continue offering digital or non-traditional lending products, such as airtime and data advances.
The firm assured customers that other digital channels for purchasing airtime and data would remain available during the suspension.
MTN said the suspension is not expected to materially affect earnings.
“Given the scale of this service, we do not expect the temporary suspension to materially impact revenue,” 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.
The FCCPC regulation builds on earlier 2022 guidelines to strengthen oversight of digital lending in Nigeria.
Under the new framework, all digital lenders, including telecom operators offering airtime or data credit services, must register with the commission.
The FCCPC initially set the registration deadline for Oct. 31, 2025, with a N100 million penalty for non-compliance, later extending the deadline to Jan. 5, 2026, and then to April 2026 to facilitate full compliance.
The Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, had said that operators who failed to regularise their status within the stipulated period could face further regulatory action.
