Cheapest Data Plans in Nigeria 2026 — MTN vs Airtel vs Glo vs 9mobile Compared

Cheapest Data Plans in Nigeria 2026 — MTN vs Airtel vs Glo vs 9mobile Compared A real comparison, not a vendor's sales pitch — including the "Awoof" codes the networks don't put on the main menu.* Every Nigerian with a smartphone has had this exact moment: you recharge, you're careful, you barely stream anything — and somehow your data still finishes before the week is out. Since the Nigerian Communications Commission approved the tariff hike in early 2025, data has gotten noticeably more expensive across every network, and a lot of the "cheap data" advice floating around online is now outdated. Here's an honest, current breakdown of what each network actually offers — plus a few tricks that can meaningfully cut your monthly spend. The Quick Verdict If you're purely counting gigabytes per naira, **Glo currently wins**. Their standard weekly plan gets you 7GB for ₦1,500 — nothing else on the market matches that ratio. Add in Glo's night data bonus (extra data usable between midnight and 5am on most plans) and the effective value gets even better. But "cheapest" isn't the same as "best for you." Network strength, validity period, and how you actually use your phone all matter more than the sticker price.  MTN MTN remains the most widely trusted network for stability, especially in urban areas, which is part of why its standard prices sit slightly above Glo's. - Entry-level: around **₦75 for 75MB** — the lowest naira entry point of any network - Daily: **₦350 for 1GB**, valid one day — solid if you just need data to get through a single day - Standard bundles run roughly **₦500/1GB, ₦800/2GB, ₦1,500/5GB, ₦2,500/10GB** on the regular menu The hidden trick: MTN's **\*121#** menu ("MTN4ME") shows personalised offers based on your usage — and they're often dramatically cheaper than the standard \*312# menu, sometimes as low as ₦2,000 for 10GB. It's worth checking this menu before buying anything on the standard one. MTN Pulse subscribers (dial \*406#) also get discounted night bundles like 500MB for ₦50 between 11pm and 6am. Check your balance:* \*131*4# Airtel Airtel has been aggressively expanding 4G and 5G coverage, and its data quality is generally strong in cities. - General bundles: roughly 1GB (plus a 1GB bonus) for ₦500**, and **2GB (plus a 2GB bonus) for ₦750** - Pay-As-You-Use: ₦4.60/MB if you don't want a bundle at all - Heavy users: unlimited monthly plans around **₦10,000/month** The hidden trick: if your Airtel line has been inactive for 30 days or more, dial **\*241*7#** to check for "Winback" offers — these have included deals like paying ₦500 and getting ₦6,000 worth of bonus plus extra data. Students should also look at SmartTrybe (migrate by dialling \*412#), which unlocks a ₦50 night plan for 250MB between midnight and 5am. Check your balance:** \*140# Glo Globacom is widely considered the best value-for-money network for pure data volume, and it's not particularly close. - Weekly: 7GB for ₦1,500 — the benchmark every other netw