Good news for everyone who has been struggling to borrow airtime or data. MTN Nigeria is finally working to bring back its Xtratime service. This comes after Airtel and Glo already restored their lending services.
If you recall, all four major networks suspended borrowing in early April 2026 because of new rules from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. That suspension led to call restrictions and over N2 trillion being recovered from subscribers with outstanding debts. Now things are changing.
On May 22 2026, the FCCPC suspended the enforcement of its Digital Lending Regulations. These were the rules that caused the entire mess. The suspension followed a court order from the Federal High Court in Lagos. The court had issued an interim injunction on April 15 after a case filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria.
With enforcement paused, Airtel and Globacom quickly restored their airtime lending services. MTN held back at first. But now MTN has changed its position and is preparing to bring back Xtratime.
A company insider told TechCabal that because the FCCPC has suspended enforcement, MTN will reinstate the service.
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During an earnings call on May 4, MTN executives told investors that a court ruling restraining enforcement did not automatically require them to resume lending. They argued that the judgment did not invalidate the regulations or directly instruct operators to restore services.
Tobechukwu Okigbo, MTN Nigeria chief corporate services officer, said two conditions were needed. First, a court ruling that sets aside the regulations. Second, a clear directive instructing them to reinstate the service.
Neither of those happened. But the FCCPC suspension of enforcement was enough to change MTN mind.
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You might think borrowing services are a huge part of MTN business. But the numbers tell a different story.
According to MTN CEO Karl Toriola, fees from Xtratime contribute only about 3 percent of the company revenue. However airtime and data consumption linked to the product accounts for a low 20 percent share of total airtime distribution.
What does that mean? Many people who borrow airtime end up buying more airtime later to repay. So Xtratime influences how customers spend, not just the fees MTN collects directly.
In 2025, MTN Nigeria generated N5.2 trillion in revenue. The company expects at least N6.24 trillion in 2026.
Toriola also said the absence of Xtratime had a short term impact on consumption patterns that lasted only a few days. Customers adapted. They either paid for airtime themselves or found other ways to manage.
MTN has told investors that it does not expect any material impact on full year performance from the suspension.
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If you are an MTN user, you should be able to borrow airtime and data again very soon. Airtel and Glo users may already have their borrowing options back. 9mobile has not made a public announcement yet.
When Xtratime returns, it will likely work the same way as before. You dial the USSD code, borrow what you need, and pay back when you recharge.
But keep one thing in mind. The FCCPC only suspended enforcement. The regulations still exist. If the commission decides to enforce them again in the future, we could go back to another suspension.
During the suspension, telcos restricted outgoing calls for subscribers with outstanding loans. Many people paid back over N2 trillion in total to get their lines working again.
If you abandoned your phone number because you could not pay, that line may still be restricted if you try to use it again. If you paid your debt, your line should be fully working once borrowing services resume.
MTN has stated that Xtratime absence did not fundamentally change customer demand. People adapted. But for many Nigerians, having the option to borrow small airtime for urgent calls is still very important.
This whole situation showed how much Nigerians depend on airtime borrowing. It also showed what happens when two government agencies the NCC and FCCPC disagree over who regulates what.
The court is still involved. The WASPAN case is ongoing. The FCCPC regulations have not been cancelled. They are just not being enforced right now.
For the time being, borrowing services are coming back. Airtel and Glo have already restored theirs. MTN is next.
If you are a 9mobile (T2) user, keep checking. No official word yet, but the trend suggests they will follow.
