MTN Nigeria has restored its XtraTime airtime and data lending service, bringing relief to millions of prepaid subscribers who rely on the platform for emergency airtime and data purchases.
The service, which had been suspended since April 2026, is now available again to eligible customers, allowing them to borrow up to ₦1,295 by dialing *303#. The borrowed amount is automatically deducted from the customer’s next recharge. The restoration follows months of regulatory uncertainty surrounding the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending (DEON) Regulations.
The suspension was introduced after the FCCPC required providers of digital lending services, including airtime and data credit, to comply with a new licensing framework aimed at strengthening consumer protection. The move triggered legal challenges from telecom operators and industry groups, who argued that airtime lending falls under telecommunications regulation rather than consumer lending laws. Following court interventions and the temporary suspension of enforcement actions, operators gradually began restoring the service.
Industry stakeholders, including the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have consistently described airtime lending as an essential service that supports millions of Nigerians, particularly low-income earners, traders, artisans and small business owners who depend on uninterrupted mobile connectivity for their daily activities.
Subscribers welcomed the return of XtraTime, with many expressing relief on social media after months without access to airtime advances during emergencies. MTN notified eligible users through text messages confirming that the service had resumed and encouraging them to dial *303# to check their borrowing limit.
While the legal dispute over the FCCPC’s regulatory framework continues, the restoration of XtraTime is expected to improve customer convenience and provide a vital financial cushion for millions of Nigerians who depend on the service to stay connected during periods of low airtime or temporary cash shortages.
