7 smart alternatives Nigerians can use now that MTN and Airtel have stopped airtime loans

Gloria Adesanya 16:40 - 20 April 2026

MTN has suspended airtime borrowing in Nigeria. Here are 7 smart, practical alternatives to stay connected without XtraTime.

With MTN Nigeria and Airtel suspending XtraTime and data loans, many Nigerians are suddenly stuck.

There is no emergency airtime or quick data top-up.

While that is sad, you still have options. You just need to switch strategy.

1. Use cheap data bundles

A young woman hunched over her phone

Instead of waiting till you’re broke, start using:

Daily data plans

Social bundles (WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok)

Night plans

They cost way less and help you stay online even with little money.

If you’re comparing networks for better value, check this: MTN vs Airtel 5G Routers: Which is Better?

2. Switch to "Pay-As-You-Go"

A lady holding a phone

Most people rely on borrowing because their data suddenly finished, and they didn’t plan around it.

Instead of borrowing, you could:

Recharge small amounts more frequently

Budget airtime like transport money

Track how fast you burn data. You may want to cut-out or reduce how often you use data-heavy apps like TikTok, Netflix, and IG.

It sounds hard, but it removes the need to borrow entirely.

3. Take advantage of bonus airtime & data offers

Telecom networks (including Airtel Nigeria and Globacom) regularly give:

Recharge bonuses

Double data deals

Cheap weekly deals

These can actually replace borrowed credit if you pay attention.

4. Use banking apps with quick recharge options

Bank apps like Opay and Palmpay let you:

Buy airtime instantly

Set auto-recharge

Sometimes earn cashback

This removes the “I don’t have time to recharge” excuse.

5. Ask for airtime and data transfer instead

A man on a call

Ask for airtime and data transfer instead

Old-school, but still effective.

If you’re stuck, ask a friend or family member to transfer airtime or data to you. You may choose to repay them.

Use Wi-Fi more intentionally

A woman at a cafe, smiling and laughing while looking at her phone and drinking a dark soda through a straw.

This is one of the smartest shifts you can make.

Start relying more on:

Office Wi-Fi

School networks

Cafés and public hotspots

Download heavy content (videos, updates) while on Wi-Fi, then use mobile data lightly.

Keep a “data emergency fund”

This one works surprisingly well. Once you get your salary, set aside a certain amount for airtime and data, especially if your work requires you to stay online.

Losing “borrow credit” feels inconvenient, but it might actually force a smarter way of managing your airtime and data and save you from the shackles of debt.

And in the long run, that’s a win.