As of today, Friday, April 17, 2026, a major disruption is hitting Nigerian telecom subscribers as several leading network providers have officially suspended their airtime and data borrowing services.
This sudden move follows a strict directive from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Telecom Companies Involved
The following major operators have confirmed the temporary shutdown of their credit services:
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MTN Nigeria: Has suspended its popular “Xtratime” service. The company issued a corporate filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday, confirming the halt.
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Airtel Nigeria: Has also grounded its airtime and data borrowing services.
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Other Networks: Reports indicate that the universal *303# short code, used by multiple networks for borrowing, is currently unavailable across the country.
The “Strong Reason” Behind the Suspension
The suspension is not due to a network failure but a regulatory crackdown. The FCCPC is enforcing the Digital, Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (DEON) 2025.
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New Licensing Rules: Under the 2025 framework, any service that involves “lending”—including airtime and data advances—must now be registered and licensed specifically as a digital lending service.
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Compliance Deadline: The commission set a deadline for April 2026 for all providers to meet these stricter transparency, data privacy, and consumer protection standards.
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Approved Providers: Operators are now required to work only with FCCPC-approved technical partners for these credit facilities.
Impact on Subscribers
The disruption has caused significant frustration, especially for low-income earners and those in emergency situations. One subscriber, Segun Olabode, told reporters, “The effectiveness of the borrowing plan is indescribable and relieving. To think of stopping it is more than suicidal.”
How to Get Airtime/Data Now
While you cannot “borrow” from the network directly via USSD for now, you can still purchase airtime through:
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Banking Apps and USSD (e.g., *901#, *894#, etc.)
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Opay, Palmpay, and other fintech platforms
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Physical recharge cards from vendors
