In April 2026, MTN Nigeria temporarily suspended its XtraTime and XtraByte services in response to new lending regulations introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Under the updated rules, borrowing airtime or data is now officially classified as a loan, meaning telecom operators must comply with stricter financial regulations, licensing, and approval processes. As a result, services that previously allowed users to borrow airtime or data and repay on their next recharge have been paused while MTN works toward full compliance.
This disruption, noticed by users around mid-April 2026, left many unable to access borrowing options via *303#, with the service marked as temporarily unavailable. However, existing borrowed balances remain valid and will still be deducted upon recharge, while normal airtime and data purchases continue without issues.
Similarly, Airtel Nigeria may also be affected by these FCCPC regulations, as the new framework applies across telecom providers offering similar credit-based services. This means airtime and data borrowing features on both MTN and Airtel could face adjustments, temporary suspensions, or stricter conditions moving forward.
MTN has clarified that the suspension is temporary and necessary to align with regulatory requirements and secure the needed approvals. The company also noted that the financial impact is expected to be minimal, although customer experience may be affected in the short term.
Once these services return, users should expect clearer terms, stricter eligibility criteria, and possibly revised borrowing limits across both MTN and Airtel networks.
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