Most MTN data plan guides do the same thing. They dump a price list, paste subscription codes, and leave you to guess whether 1.5GB will survive your workday or quit on you by Wednesday.
This one is different. Every plan below comes with a plain-English breakdown of what it actually gets you how many Zoom hours, how many Netflix episodes, how many TikTok scrolls. So you don’t pay for data you won’t finish, or run out three days before payday.
I’ve been on MTN as my primary line since 2018 and route all my work data through it. The plans below are based on what real Nigerians use a SIM for, not what looks pretty on a spec sheet.
Let’s get into it.
TL;DR- Just Tell Me Which Plan to Buy
Here’s the short version. Pick the row that sounds like you.
| You are… | Buy this | Price | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| A student who just needs WhatsApp and a bit of YouTube | 2GB Monthly + 2 mins | ₦1,500 | Text 106 to 312 |
| Working from home with daily Zoom calls | 16.5GB Monthly + 10 mins | ₦6,500 | Text 107 to 312 |
| Streaming Netflix, YouTube, and scrolling TikTok | 45GB Always-On Monthly | ₦9,000 | Text 163 to 312 |
| A heavy user who wants to forget about data for a year | 800GB Yearly | ₦125,000 | Text 186 to 312 |
| Just need data for today | 1GB Daily + 1.5 mins | ₦500 | Text 155 to 312 |
| On a tight budget but need 7 days | 1.5GB Weekly | ₦1,000 | Text 105 to 312 |
To activate any plan, dial *312# or text the keyword above to 312. Check your balance anytime with *323#.
Now the full breakdown.
What Changed in 2026: The *131# to *312# Switch
If your old MTN data code stopped working, this is why.
MTN retired *131# as the primary data subscription menu and moved everything to *312#. The change happened during MTN’s broader system upgrade. Older online guides still tell you to dial *131# — that code now routes to airtime services, not data plans.
What you need to know:
- *312# — the master code for all data plans (daily, weekly, monthly, long-term)
- *312*1# — jumps straight to the subscription menu, skipping the welcome screen
- *323# — checks your data balance (unified across networks now)
- *321# — data gifting
- *303# — borrow data when you’re low on airtime
If you’ve been dialing *131# for years and getting confused, that’s the fix. Update the muscle memory.
Daily Plans: For Light Use and Emergency Top-Ups
Daily plans expire in 24 hours. They’re not built for value — they’re built for “I just need to send this email” moments. Use them as a bridge, not a habit.
| Plan | Price | Validity | Code | ₦ per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75MB | ₦75 | 24 hrs | Text 114 to 312 | ₦1,000 |
| 110MB | ₦100 | 24 hrs | Text 104 to 312 | ₦909 |
| 230MB | ₦200 | 24 hrs | Dial *312# | ₦870 |
| 500MB | ₦350 | 24 hrs | Text 175 to 312 | ₦700 |
| 1GB Smart Bundle | ₦200 | 24 hrs | myMTN App only | ₦200 |
| 1GB + 1.5 mins | ₦500 | 24 hrs | Text 155 to 312 | ₦500 |
| 2.5GB | ₦750 | 24 hrs | Dial *312*1*1# | ₦300 |
| 3.5GB | ₦1,000 | 24 hrs | Text 191 to 312 | ₦286 |
What each daily plan actually gets you
75MB (₦75) — One WhatsApp call (15 min) plus a few hours of messaging. That’s it. Use it when you’re stranded.
230MB (₦200) — About 1 hour of Zoom on audio-only, or 30 minutes of YouTube at 480p, or a full day of WhatsApp chat. Good for one quick meeting.
500MB (₦350) — Two hours of video calls, or one episode of a Showmax series on low quality, or a long day of social scrolling. Decent emergency top-up.
1GB Smart Bundle (₦200, app only) — The best-value daily plan if you have the myMTN app. Full day of normal phone use including a couple of YouTube videos. Doesn’t show up on USSD.
1GB + 1.5 mins (₦500) — A full work-from-home day if you’re careful. Skip auto-playing videos.
2.5GB (₦750) — Heavy day: video calls, two Netflix episodes at standard quality, plenty of social media. If you’re using this daily, you’re losing money. Switch to weekly.
3.5GB (₦1,000) — Built for content creators uploading on the go. Not worth it for regular users — the weekly 3.5GB at ₦1,500 lasts 7x longer for 50% more.
The honest truth: if you’re buying daily plans more than twice a week, the weekly or monthly plan is cheaper. Daily plans cost 3-5x more per GB than monthly bundles. Read on.
2-Day Plans: The Sweet Spot Most Nigerians Miss
The 2-day plans are MTN’s most underrated tier. They cost slightly more than dailies but give you double the runway. Perfect for a weekend trip, a side hustle that flares up, or just lazy planning.
| Plan | Price | Validity | Code | ₦ per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5GB + 100MB YouTube | ₦600 | 2 days | Text 199 to 312 | ₦400 |
| 2GB | ₦750 | 2 days | Text 154 to 312 | ₦375 |
| 2.5GB | ₦900 | 2 days | Text 146 to 312 | ₦360 |
| 3.2GB | ₦1,000 | 2 days | Text 180 to 312 | ₦313 |
| 4GB | ₦1,200 | 2 days | Text 192 to 312 | ₦300 |
| 5.5GB | ₦1,500 | 2 days | Text 193 to 312 | ₦273 |
| 7GB | ₦1,800 | 2 days | Text 183 to 312 | ₦257 |
When to use 2-day plans
- You’re traveling and can’t predict your usage
- You’re between paychecks but need more than a daily plan
- You’ve got a heavy work weekend coming up
The 2GB for ₦750 (2-day) plan is the one most people should know about. It’s the closest thing to the discontinued “MTN 200 for 2GB” plan everyone keeps Googling. Speaking of which —
Is the MTN 200 for 2GB Code Still Active?
Short answer: no, the classic ₦200 for 2GB plan has been discontinued.
That plan used to give you 2GB for ₦200 with very limited validity (1 hour in some cases, off-peak in others). MTN retired it during the 2025 data price restructure.
Your closest replacements:
- ₦200 for 230MB — daily plan, 24 hours
- ₦600 for 1.5GB — 2-day plan, much better value per naira
- ₦750 for 2GB — 2-day plan, what most people now use
If a blog tells you to dial *406*3*2# for “200 for 2GB,” that information is years out of date.
Weekly Plans: For Steady, Predictable Use
Weekly plans give you 7 days of breathing room without committing to a full month. Great for freelancers, students between sessions, or anyone who can’t commit ₦3,500+ at once.
| Plan | Price | Validity | Code | ₦ per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500MB + YouTube bonus | ₦500 | 7 days | Text 103 to 312 | ₦1,000 |
| 1GB + YouTube bonus | ₦800 | 7 days | Text 142 to 312 | ₦800 |
| 1.5GB + YouTube bonus | ₦1,000 | 7 days | Text 105 to 312 | ₦667 |
| 3.5GB | ₦1,500 | 7 days | Text 176 to 312 | ₦429 |
| 6GB | ₦2,500 | 7 days | Text 143 to 312 | ₦417 |
| 11GB | ₦3,500 | 7 days | Text 181 to 312 | ₦318 |
| 20GB | ₦5,000 | 7 days | Digital channels only | ₦250 |
What each weekly plan really gets you
1.5GB Weekly (₦1,000) — 7 days of WhatsApp, light browsing, and a few YouTube videos. Lifeline for a student. Pairs with the YouTube night streaming bonus for evening entertainment.
3.5GB Weekly (₦1,500) — A solid week of remote work if you keep video off most of the time. Roughly 5 hours of Zoom audio per day, plenty of email and browsing.
6GB Weekly (₦2,500) — The plan I’d recommend for most freelancers. Comfortable for 10+ hours of weekly video calls, a few hours of YouTube, and social media without rationing.
11GB Weekly (₦3,500) — Heavy use territory. Online classes, gaming, occasional Netflix. If you’re going to spend ₦3,500 though, the 7GB Monthly for ₦3,500 is the better play unless you genuinely only need 7 days.
20GB Weekly (₦5,000) — Digital-only. Made for content creators uploading reels, photographers sending RAW files to clients, or anyone with a flare-up project. Not for everyday users.
Internal note
If you’re a freelancer paying for Zoom Pro, our Zoom subscription guide for Nigerians explains how to keep your subscription active. Pair it with the 6GB weekly plan and you’ve got a complete remote-work setup.
Monthly Plans: The Most Popular Tier (and Where the Best Value Hides)
Monthly plans are where most Nigerians live. 30 days of data, almost always cheaper per GB than weekly, and most come with bonuses — YouTube minutes, night streaming, sometimes free calls.
| Plan | Price | Code | ₦ per GB | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2GB + 2 mins | ₦1,500 | Text 106 to 312 | ₦750 | 200MB YouTube + 2GB Night |
| 2.7GB + 2 mins | ₦2,000 | Text 130 to 312 | ₦741 | 200MB YouTube + 2GB Night |
| 3.5GB + 5 mins | ₦2,500 | Text 131 to 312 | ₦714 | 200MB YouTube + 2GB Night |
| 7GB | ₦3,500 | Text 110 to 312 | ₦500 | 2GB Night Streaming |
| 10GB + 10 mins | ₦4,500 | Text 147 to 312 | ₦450 | 200MB YT + 2GB Night + Roaming |
| 12.5GB | ₦5,500 | Text 148 to 312 | ₦440 | 300MB YT + 2GB Night + Roaming |
| 18.6GB Always-On | ₦5,500 | Text 162 to 312 | ₦296 | Always-On structure |
| 16.5GB + 10 mins | ₦6,500 | Text 107 to 312 | ₦394 | 300MB YT + 2GB Night + Roaming |
| 20GB | ₦7,500 | Text 116 to 312 | ₦375 | 4GB Night Streaming |
| 25GB | ₦9,000 | Text 153 to 312 | ₦360 | 4GB Night Streaming |
| 45GB Always-On | ₦9,000 | Text 163 to 312 | ₦200 | Always-On structure |
| 36GB | ₦11,000 | Text 117 to 312 | ₦306 | Data roaming eligible |
| 65GB | ₦16,000 | Text 178 to 312 | ₦246 | — |
| 75GB | ₦18,000 | Text 150 to 312 | ₦240 | Roaming eligible |
| 165GB | ₦35,000 | Text 149 to 312 | ₦212 | — |
| 250GB | ₦55,000 | Text 111 to 312 | ₦220 | — |
What each monthly plan really gets you
2GB Monthly (₦1,500) — The entry-level bundle. ~67MB/day. Enough for WhatsApp, light social media, and YouTube only if you use the bonus 200MB YouTube allocation. Students and backup-SIM users only.
3.5GB Monthly + 5 mins (₦2,500) — Light professional use. Email, Slack, occasional Zoom audio. The 2GB night streaming bonus is great if you watch movies before bed.
7GB Monthly (₦3,500) — A genuine remote-work plan if you’re disciplined. ~230MB/day. Works for one daily Zoom call (audio-heavy), constant Slack, normal browsing. No surprise bonuses though.
10GB + 10 mins (₦4,500) — My sweet-spot recommendation for office workers. ~330MB/day, plus night streaming, plus free voice minutes. Comfortable.
12.5GB Monthly (₦5,500) — For people who use a single SIM as their primary internet. Around 400MB/day. Handles video calls, streaming, and uploads without rationing.
18.6GB Always-On (₦5,500) ⭐ — Same price as 12.5GB but 47% more data if you understand how Always-On works (see next section). The pick for most heavy mobile users.
16.5GB + 10 mins (₦6,500) — Best for someone who wants the bonuses (YouTube, night streaming, roaming, free minutes). Slightly less data than Always-On at this price, but more perks.
45GB Always-On (₦9,000) ⭐⭐ — The flagship plan. ₦200/GB makes it the cheapest mainstream monthly plan in Nigeria. If you stream daily, work from home, and download regularly, this is the one.
20GB / 25GB / 36GB+ Monthly — These exist for people who specifically want a fixed cap they understand. Power users, small business hotspots, content creators.
165GB / 250GB Monthly — Small business plans. If you’re sharing a hotspot with a team or running a SOHO setup, the math works.
Always-On Plans: How They Actually Work
Most blogs list the 18.6GB and 45GB Always-On plans without explaining them, and then people get confused when they “run out.”
Here’s the real mechanic.
Always-On plans don’t give you all the data at once. Instead, you get a daily allowance that refreshes every 24 hours, plus a separate pool of data that rolls over inside the 30-day window. If you don’t use your full daily allowance, what’s left moves into the rollover pool.
The 18.6GB Always-On plan:
- Roughly 620MB/day fresh allocation
- Unused daily data rolls into a reserve
- Total available across 30 days: 18.6GB
The 45GB Always-On plan:
- Roughly 1.5GB/day fresh allocation
- Same rollover mechanic
- Total available across 30 days: 45GB
Who should buy Always-On plans
Good fit if you:
- Use data fairly consistently every day
- Don’t want a single huge monthly cap you blow through in week one
- Want the cheapest ₦/GB on a 30-day plan
Bad fit if you:
- Have very heavy days (downloads, video uploads) where 1.5GB won’t cut it
- Travel intermittently and don’t use data for days at a time
- Prefer to “see all your data” up front
The unspoken catch
Always-On plans bias toward people with steady habits. If you binge-watch a series on a Saturday, you might burn through your daily 1.5GB by lunch and have to wait until midnight for the next refresh. Heavy users sometimes prefer the flat 25GB or 36GB plans for that reason.
Long-Term Plans: 2-Month, 3-Month, and Yearly
If you can afford to lock in upfront, long-term plans get you the lowest ₦/GB available on MTN. Period.
| Plan | Price | Validity | Code | ₦ per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90GB | ₦25,000 | 60 days | Text 119 to 312 | ₦278 |
| 150GB | ₦40,000 | 60 days | Text 118 to 312 | ₦267 |
| 480GB | ₦90,000 | 90 days | Text 133 to 312 | ₦188 |
| 800GB Yearly | ₦125,000 | 365 days | Text 186 to 312 | ₦156 |
Is the 800GB yearly plan worth it?
Quick math: ₦125,000 ÷ 365 days = ₦342 per day for 2.2GB daily.
Compared to monthly:
- 12 × ₦9,000 (45GB Always-On) = ₦108,000 for 540GB total
- The yearly plan gives you 800GB for ₦125,000 — that’s 48% more data for 16% more spend
It pays off if:
- You use more than 60GB per month consistently
- You can stomach a ₦125,000 lump sum
- You hate monthly renewal stress
It doesn’t pay off if:
- You travel abroad for long stretches (data sits idle)
- Your usage is unpredictable
Social Bundles: Cheaper Than You Think
If you mostly use one or two apps, MTN has app-specific bundles starting at ₦25. They’re not in the main *312# menu — dial *312*4# to see them.
WhatsApp bundles
Perfect for sales reps, community admins, anyone living in DMs.
- 100MB WhatsApp Daily — around ₦50
- 1GB WhatsApp Weekly — around ₦300
TikTok bundles
For creators and scroll-addicts.
- 1GB TikTok Daily — around ₦300
- 2.5GB TikTok Weekly — around ₦600
Instagram bundles
Lighter than TikTok since less video.
- 500MB Instagram Daily — around ₦200
- 1GB Instagram Weekly — around ₦400
Facebook bundles
Cheapest of the lot.
- Daily bundles from ₦25
- Includes Facebook + Messenger
Note: Social bundle prices and structures change more often than the main data plans. Always confirm by dialing *312*4# before subscribing.
MTN Night Plans: Free Data Between 12 AM and 5 AM
If you’re a night owl, gamer, or just want to download big files cheap, night plans are where the value is.
To access: Dial *406# and pick the night plan option.
The standout offer: 500MB for ₦75 on MTN Pulse, valid from 12 AM to 5 AM.
You can stack this with your main plan. Use night data for downloads, system updates, Steam libraries, OS upgrades, big WhatsApp media — anything you can schedule for after midnight.
Eligibility: You need to be on the MTN Pulse tariff plan. To migrate, dial *406*1# or text “Pulse” to 406.
MTN Pulse Plans: For Customers Under 26 (and Anyone Who Migrates)
Pulse is MTN’s youth tariff plan with cheaper call rates, free data perks, and a points system you can redeem for data.
Pulse benefits:
- Calls at ₦0.23/sec (cheaper than default tariff)
- Pulse Points earned on every recharge — redeem for free data
- Access to Pulse-only night bundles
- Free data when you activate certain offers
How to migrate: Dial *406*1# or text “Pulse” to 406. Free first migration each month.
How to Subscribe to Any MTN Data Plan (4 Methods)
| Method | Best for | How |
|---|---|---|
| USSD (*312#) | Fastest, works offline | Dial *312# → choose plan → confirm |
| SMS to 312 | When you know the keyword | Text the code (e.g., “163”) to 312 |
| myMTN App | App-exclusive plans + payment options | Download app → Data Plans → pick → pay |
| Online (myMTN Web, VTU) | Card payment, scheduled top-ups | Go to mymtn.com.ng or use a VTU platform |
Best practice: USSD or SMS for speed; myMTN App for exclusive bundles (like the 1GB Daily Smart Bundle for ₦200, which doesn’t exist on USSD); online channels when you want to pay with a virtual or debit card instead of airtime.
How to Manage Your MTN Data: Every Code You Need
Bookmark this section. Most people don’t know half of these exist.
| What you want to do | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check data balance | *323# | New unified balance code |
| Old data balance code | *559*4# | Backup if *323# is down |
| Gift data to another MTN number | *321# | Or use myMTN app |
| Share data | *321# | Set up sharing groups |
| Borrow data (XtraData) | *303# | Pay back when you recharge |
| Check borrowed data balance | *606*6# | After borrowing |
| Stop auto-renewal | *312*3# | Toggle off in subscription menu |
| Migrate to MTN Pulse | *406*1# | Required for night bundles |
| Check your tariff plan | *12311# | See which plan you’re on |
| Buy airtime via card | *555*PIN# | Or use myMTN app |
Why your data didn’t activate (and how to fix it)
Subscribed but no data? Try these in order:
- Wait 5 minutes. Activation isn’t always instant.
- Restart your phone. Forces the network to refresh your subscription.
- Check APN settings. Go to Mobile Network → Access Point Names → make sure it’s set to “web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net” (Android) or auto-configured (iPhone).
- Dial *323# to confirm the data is in your account. If it’s there but you can’t browse, it’s a settings issue, not a subscription issue.
- Send “Setting” to 5018. MTN will text you the correct APN settings automatically.
- If all else fails: Dial 300 to reach MTN customer care.
How to stop MTN auto-renewal
MTN automatically renews most monthly plans when they expire. To stop:
- Dial *312#
- Select “Manage Service”
- Choose “Auto-Renewal”
- Toggle off
Or text STOP to 312.
Specific Plan Questions
These are the exact questions people search for. Here are the straight answers.
What is the code for MTN 200 for 2GB for 7 days?
The classic ₦200 for 2GB for 7 days plan has been discontinued. Your closest replacements:
- ₦600 for 1.5GB (2-day plan) — Text 199 to 312
- ₦750 for 2GB (2-day plan) — Text 154 to 312
- ₦1,000 for 1.5GB (7-day plan) — Text 105 to 312
If you specifically want 7 days, the ₦1,000 for 1.5GB weekly is the best match.
How to get 6GB for 900 on MTN?
There’s no direct ₦900 for 6GB plan in MTN’s current lineup. The closest options:
- ₦750 for 2.5GB (2-day plan) — Text 146 to 312
- ₦900 for 2.5GB (2-day plan) — Text 146 to 312
- ₦1,500 for 6GB-equivalent weekly value — Text 176 to 312 (3.5GB) + bonuses
To get exactly 6GB cheapest, look at the 6GB Weekly for ₦2,500 (Text 143 to 312).
How to get 3GB for 600 on MTN?
The closest current plan is 1.5GB for ₦600 (2-day) — Text 199 to 312, which includes 100MB YouTube All Day.
For exactly 3GB, the 3.2GB for ₦1,000 (2-day plan) — Text 180 to 312 — is the best value.
What are the MTN data plans?
MTN offers six categories of data plans:
- Daily plans — ₦75 to ₦1,000, valid 24 hours
- 2-day plans — ₦600 to ₦1,800, valid 2 days
- Weekly plans — ₦500 to ₦5,000, valid 7 days
- Monthly plans — ₦1,500 to ₦55,000, valid 30 days
- Long-term plans — ₦25,000 to ₦125,000, valid 60 days to 1 year
- Social & night bundles — ₦25 upward, app-specific or time-specific
Activate any of them by dialing *312# or texting the plan keyword to 312.
How Much Data Do Common Activities Use?
The honest reference table. Use it to size your plan.
| Activity | Data per hour | Plan needed for daily use |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp messaging | ~5MB | Any plan |
| WhatsApp voice call | ~12MB | Daily 230MB+ |
| WhatsApp video call | ~150MB | Weekly 6GB+ |
| Zoom (audio only) | ~50MB | Weekly 3.5GB+ |
| Zoom (video) | ~800MB | Monthly 16.5GB+ |
| Google Meet (video) | ~1.5GB | Monthly 20GB+ |
| Microsoft Teams | ~800MB–1GB | Monthly 12.5GB+ |
| YouTube 480p | ~500MB | Weekly 6GB+ |
| YouTube 720p | ~1GB | Monthly 16.5GB+ |
| YouTube 1080p | ~2GB | 45GB Always-On |
| Netflix SD | ~1GB | Monthly 16.5GB+ |
| Netflix HD | ~3GB | 45GB Always-On |
| Spotify streaming | ~100MB | Weekly 3.5GB+ |
| TikTok scrolling | ~700MB | Monthly 12.5GB+ |
| Instagram Reels | ~600MB | Monthly 12.5GB+ |
| Online gaming (PUBG, Free Fire) | ~50MB | Monthly 7GB+ |
| Cloud backup (Google Drive) | varies | 25GB+ monthly |
MTN vs Airtel vs Glo vs 9mobile: Quick Comparison
| Network | Cheapest monthly | Best for streaming | Best 5G coverage | Customer service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTN | 2GB / ₦1,500 | 45GB Always-On / ₦9,000 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Widest | Reliable, 300 |
| Airtel | 1.5GB / ₦1,000 | 15GB / ₦4,500 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong | Reliable, 111 |
| Glo | 1.35GB / ₦500 | 24GB / ₦5,000 | ⭐⭐ Limited | Reliable |
| 9mobile | 1.5GB / ₦1,000 | 15GB / ₦5,000 | ⭐⭐ Limited | Reliable, 200 |
The honest take:
- Choose MTN if: You’re in Lagos, Abuja, PH, or any major city. Best 5G, biggest 4G coverage, most reliable streaming.
- Choose Airtel if: You make a lot of voice calls. Slightly cheaper call rates and competitive data.
- Choose Glo if: You’re in a coverage strong-spot for Glo (parts of the South-South, some Northern routes). Cheap entry plans.
- Choose 9mobile if: You’re nostalgic. Honestly, the network has struggled with coverage since the divestment.
Cheapest per GB across networks (monthly tier): MTN’s 45GB Always-On at ₦200/GB is the cheapest mainstream monthly plan from any of the four networks.
Paying for Data Without Airtime: The Online Channel Most People Skip
Most people buy MTN data by topping up airtime first, then subscribing. There’s a faster way that also gives you better tracking and budgeting:
Buy data directly with a card via myMTN Web or VTU platforms.
This matters because:
- You separate data spending from airtime spending — easier to budget
- You can pay with a virtual or debit card — no airtime middleman
- Some online channels offer cashback or bonus data — extra value
- You get receipts for business expense tracking — important for freelancers and SMEs
If you’re already using a virtual card to pay for Netflix, Spotify, Zoom, or Coursera subscriptions, the same card can buy your monthly MTN bundle. EverTry users typically batch this — one card, one set of digital subscriptions, one easy expense view at month-end.
We’ve got related guides on paying for Netflix from Africa, Zoom subscriptions for Nigerians, and Coursera and online learning platforms that use the same workflow.
FAQ
What is *312# used for on MTN?
*312# is MTN’s master code for data subscription. Dial it to access daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term data plans. It replaced *131# in 2025.
How do I check my MTN data balance?
Dial *323# from your MTN line. The balance shows in seconds. You can also check via the myMTN app under “My Bundle.”
Can I share my MTN data with another number?
Yes. Dial *321# to set up data gifting. You can transfer specific amounts to any other MTN number on your account.
Can I borrow data from MTN?
Yes. Dial *303# to access XtraData. MTN lends you data based on your recharge history, and deducts the cost from your next airtime top-up. Service fee applies.
What happens if my MTN data plan expires with unused data?
For standard plans, unused data is forfeited at expiry. For Always-On plans, the rollover happens daily within the 30-day window — but any unused data at the end of the 30 days is gone.
How do I migrate to MTN Pulse?
Dial *406*1# or text “Pulse” to 406. The first migration each month is free.
Are MTN data plans the same in all states?
Yes. MTN data prices and codes are nationwide. The only thing that differs by location is network speed and 5G availability.
Can I use MTN data on a router or MiFi?
Yes. Most data plans work on any device — phone, MiFi, router, USB modem. For dedicated routers, MTN also has Router Plans with larger allocations.
Is MTN 5G available in my area?
5G is currently active in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Owerri, Kano, and several smaller cities. Check coverage at coverage.mtn.ng before buying a 5G device.
What’s the cheapest MTN data plan in 2026?
The ₦75 for 75MB daily plan is the absolute cheapest, but it’s expensive per MB. For real value, the 45GB Always-On Monthly at ₦9,000 (₦200/GB) is the cheapest mainstream plan.
Final Pick: Which MTN Plan Should You Actually Buy?
Here’s how I’d think about it.
- Light user / backup SIM: 2GB Monthly + 2 mins (₦1,500) — Text 106 to 312
- Student: 1.5GB Weekly (₦1,000) — Text 105 to 312, top up with daily plans when needed
- Remote worker, mostly meetings: 10GB + 10 mins Monthly (₦4,500) — Text 147 to 312
- Heavy streamer / WFH professional: 45GB Always-On Monthly (₦9,000) — Text 163 to 312
- Content creator / heavy uploader: 36GB Monthly (₦11,000) — Text 117 to 312 or pair with 20GB Weekly
- Small business/hotspot user: 65GB Monthly (₦16,000) — Text 178 to 312
- Year-long heavy user: 800GB Yearly (₦125,000) — Text 186 to 312
To activate any of them: dial *312# or text the keyword to 312. Check balance with *323#.
And if you spend on Netflix, Zoom, Spotify, or any other digital subscription alongside your data, an EverTry virtual card lets you pay for everything from a single place, no airtime juggling, no card declines, no exchange-rate surprises.
Disclaimer
Data plan prices, validity periods, bonuses, and activation codes are subject to change without notice from MTN Nigeria. The information in this guide was verified against MTN’s official data plans page as of May 2026. EverTry is not affiliated with or endorsed by MTN Nigeria. Always verify current plan details directly with MTN before subscribing. EverTry is not responsible for any discrepancies between this guide and live MTN offerings.
Matt Aluya is the founder of EverTry. A software engineer focused on virtual card issuance and stablecoin settlement for cross-border payments in emerging markets. LinkedIn · matt.aluya@evertry.co