Subscribers on MTN Nigeria’s network are still unable to access the Xtratime airtime advance service, as the telecom operator continues to await regulatory clearance before restoring the service.
The delay follows directives linked to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which earlier ordered telecommunications operators to suspend airtime lending services under new regulatory guidelines.
While competitors such as Airtel and Globacom have reportedly reinstated their own airtime advance services, MTN users are yet to regain access.
Industry sources within MTN said the company is still waiting for formal approval or directive from the FCCPC before reactivating the service.
One insider noted that the company is in ongoing discussions regarding compliance under the DEON (Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending) Regulations, adding that the restoration timeline remains uncertain.
“There is still no final directive. Once we get clearance, the service will be restored,” a source explained, while another suggested that technical and regulatory processes may still be ongoing.
However, confusion persists among customers, as some reports claim partial restoration, while many subscribers continue to report that the service remains inactive.
MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom operator, serves over 90 million customers and controls a significant share of the mobile market, according to industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Reports suggest that millions of Nigerians previously relied on the Xtratime service, which allows users to borrow airtime or data and repay during subsequent recharges.
The service also generates revenue for the company through usage fees and forms part of MTN’s broader telecom-fintech ecosystem.
MTN executives have previously explained that resumption of the service depends entirely on regulatory clearance or a legal resolution overturning existing restrictions.
According to the company, the temporary suspension has had only a short-term effect on user behaviour, as customers quickly adjusted by either reducing consumption or funding their usage directly.
The telecom giant also noted that revenue from airtime advance services contributes a small but notable portion of its earnings, while indirectly supporting a larger share of airtime and data usage across its network.