MTN Nigeria has officially restored its XtraTime airtime lending service, allowing eligible subscribers to borrow credit and data during emergencies. The service, which many Nigerians rely on during emergencies, was suspended in April after new regulations introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) required providers of digital lending services to comply with a new licensing and regulatory framework.
How to borrow airtime on MTN
To borrow airtime or data, dial *303# and follow the on-screen prompts. If you're eligible, follow these steps: Dial *303#, select the option for borrowing airtime or data, confirm the amount, and the borrowed credit will be credited instantly.
How to borrow data on MTN
You can also borrow data through the same service. Dial *303#, select the data borrowing option, choose the data plan you need, and confirm. The borrowed data will be added to your account.
Who can use XtraTime?
The service is available only to eligible prepaid MTN subscribers. Eligibility depends on factors such as: recharge history, usage patterns, and account tenure. The amount you can borrow varies from one customer to another based on these criteria. Following the restoration, MTN notified customers via SMS that the service was available again. The message reads: "Good news! Airtime loan is back! You can now borrow up to ₦1,295 by dialing *303# and stay connected."
What happens when you recharge?
Any airtime or data you borrow through XtraTime will be repaid automatically from your next recharge, along with the applicable service fee. The return of XtraTime will come as a relief to many subscribers who depend on the service to make urgent calls, send messages or stay connected when they run out of airtime or mobile data.
