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noticeably more expensive across every network, and a lot of the "cheap data" advice floating around online is now outdated.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 network gets compared against
- Entry: 50MB for ₦50 daily
- "Always On" plans: these don't expire the normal way — dial **\*312*183#** for 6GB at ₦2,000 or **\*312*184#** for 15GB at ₦3,500

Nearly all Glo data plans include a night data bonus on top of the advertised amount, usable between midnight and 5am — meaning the real value is often better than what's printed on the plan name. The trade-off is that Glo's network coverage and speed can be less consistent than MTN or Airtel in some areas, so it's worth testing before committing to a big bundle.

Check your balance:** \*127*0#

9mobile (Now Rebranded to T2 Mobile)
If you've seen "T2 Mobile" appear on your network bar recently and wondered what happened — that's 9mobile's rebrand. It's now Nigeria's smallest major operator, which means more limited coverage in some regions, but its prices remain competitive for what it offers.

- Daily: **1.5GB for ₦400
- Weekly: 1.5GB for ₦1,000, or a stronger weekly option at 7GB + 100MB for ₦1,500** — genuinely one of the best weekly deals available if T2/9mobile has good coverage where you are

Check your balance:** \*228# or the T2 Mobile app


A Word on "Awoof" Codes
Nearly every network now runs a two-tier system: the prices advertised on the main USSD menu, and a set of cheaper, less-publicised "Awoof" (bargain) codes and personalised offers hidden a menu or two deeper. These change often and networks don't advertise them widely — because if everyone used them, the networks would earn less. It's worth spending five minutes occasionally exploring the sub-menus of \*312#, \*121#, and your network's app rather than always buying straight off the first screen you see.


Practical Tips to Stretch Your Data Further
- Schedule heavy downloads for off-peak hours if you're on Glo, Airtel, or any plan with a night data bonus
- MTN allows unused data to roll over if you renew within the grace period after expiry — don't let a bundle lapse without checking first
- Airtel supports up to 50% rollover on select plans when renewed before expiry
- Never let a plan expire before checking your balance — USSD balance checks cost nothing and take seconds


Quick Comparison Table
| Network | Best Value Plan | Price | Notes |
| Glo | 7GB weekly | ₦1,500 | Best data-per-naira; check coverage first |
| MTN | 10GB (via \*121# personalised offer) | ~₦2,000 | Beats standard menu significantly |
| Airtel | 2GB + 2GB bonus | ₦750 | Strong urban coverage |
| 9mobile / T2 | 7GB + 100MB weekly | ₦1,500 | Great value if coverage is good in your area |


Prices across all networks shift periodically, so it's worth double-checking current rates via USSD or the network's app before making a big purchase — what's cheapest this month might not be next month. Want to calculate exactly how long a specific plan will last you based on how you actually use your phone? Try NaijaToday's **Data Calculator** widget to estimate your usage by activity — from WhatsApp to YouTube to Zoom calls.


*Published on NaijaToday — naijatodayblog.com.ng*