…MTN Nigeria Confirms Compliance With Directive
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the country to discontinue airtime and data lending services, also known as “Xtratime” for subscribers nationwide.
The FCCPC hinged its latest directive to the telcos on the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025, which introduced a fresh compliance and licensing framework for companies offering digital or non-traditional consumer credit services in the country.
Building on its Limited Interim Regulatory/Registration Framework and Guidelines for Digital Lending, 2022, the FCCPC last year introduced the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations, 2025.
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Under the guidelines, all digital lenders, including airtime or data lenders, are expected to register their service offerings with the FCCPC.
The commission recently a new deadline of April 2026 to operators provisionally designated as eligible under transitional arrangements to complete their registration under the DEON Regulations.
Speaking on the regulatory regime then, the FCCPC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunji Bello, clarified: “This window is provided to enable affected operators to take steps towards compliance. Operators that choose not to regularise their status within this period may be subject to further regulatory measures, as provided under the law.”
Following the latest directive, MTN Nigeria in its disclosure signed by its Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, noted Xtratime allowed eligible subscribers to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge, making it one of the widely used value-added services among prepaid users.
On the MNO’s compliance Ukpanah stated: “MTN Nigeria Communications PLC (MTN Nigeria or the Company) 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”, he added.
The telco stated that customers would continue to have access to other digital channels for purchasing airtime and data while the service remains suspended, and assured investors that the temporary halt is not expected to significantly affect earnings.
It clarified: “Given the scale within the revenue mix, we do not expect the temporary suspension to have a material impact.”
MTN stated that it was monitoring customer behaviour and usage trends and would provide further details on any measurable impact of the regulatory order on its operations in its first quarter 2026 financial statements.
