13 Codes to Buy MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile (Etisalat) Data at a Lower Rate in Nigeria
Skip the standard *312# price list. These are the specific USSD strings, migration codes and hidden menus that unlock cheaper data on all four major Nigerian networks — verified against current network practice.
If you only remember one thing from this guide: dial *312# before you dial anything else. It is now the Nigerian Communications Commission's harmonised data-purchase code across MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile, and every "cheap data hack" below is really just a shortcut into a specific menu inside — or a migration that unlocks a menu — that *312# does not show you by default.
A quick note on naming: 9mobile was known as Etisalat Nigeria until it was rebranded in 2017. The network itself hasn't been called Etisalat for years, but the search term persists, so this guide uses "9mobile" throughout — the codes are the same network, just the current name.
Quick Verdict — the fastest wins
- Every network: dial *312# to buy data and *323# to check your data balance — these two work on MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile.
- MTN: dial *121# first. It often shows personalised discounted bundles that never appear on the standard *312# menu.
- Airtel: *312*200# is a fast route to a low-cost 1GB day plan; migrating to SmartTrybe via *412# unlocks a cheap night bundle.
- Glo: the "Always On" bundles reached through *312# tend to give the most data per naira of the four networks.
- 9mobile: the night-only plan via *229*3*11# is one of the cheapest per-gigabyte options on the network, if you're a late-night browser.
Promotional prices, data volumes and eligibility change often and can differ by SIM, location and account history — some of these offers are "personalised," meaning they may not appear on every line. Always read the confirmation screen the USSD menu shows you before you approve a purchase, and never share a PIN or OTP with anyone claiming to activate a plan for you.
Why *312# alone isn't the cheapest way to buy data
Since the NCC's harmonisation directive pushed MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile onto a shared set of core shortcodes, *312# has become the default doorway into each network's data menu, and *323# now checks your balance on any of the four networks. That consistency is good for usability, but the *312# main menu is generally built to show standard, full-price plans first. The genuinely discounted bundles — night plans, "welcome back" offers for dormant lines, tariff-migration perks, and AI-personalised deals — usually sit one layer deeper, behind a specific sub-code or a plan migration. That's what the codes below are for.
MTN: 4 codes worth knowing
1. *312# — the main data menu
2. *121# — MTN4ME personalised offers
3. *406*1# — migrate to MTN Pulse
4. Text a plan keyword to 312
Airtel: 4 codes worth knowing
5. *312*200# — fast route to a low-cost day plan
6. *412# — migrate to SmartTrybe
7. *241*7# — "Winback" offer for dormant lines
8. *323# — check your data balance
Glo: 4 codes worth knowing
9. *777# — Glo's own menu (still active alongside *312#)
10–11. *312*183# and *312*184# — "Always On" bundles
12. *127*0# — Night & Weekend data check-in
9mobile: 1 code worth knowing
13. *229*3*11# — 1GB night plan
| # | Network | Code | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All networks | *312# | Main harmonised data-purchase menu |
| 2 | MTN | *121# | MTN4ME personalised discount offers |
| 3 | MTN | *406*1# | Migrate to Pulse for Nightlife data |
| 4 | MTN | Keyword to 312 (SMS) | Text-activated data + YouTube bundles |
| 5 | Airtel | *312*200# | Direct route to a ~₦200 day bundle |
| 6 | Airtel | *412# | Migrate to SmartTrybe for cheap night data |
| 7 | Airtel | *241*7# | Winback bonus for dormant SIMs |
| 8 | All networks | *323# | Check remaining data balance and expiry |
| 9 | Glo | *777# | Glo's own legacy data menu |
| 10 | Glo | *312*183# | Always On bundle, lower tier |
| 11 | Glo | *312*184# | Always On bundle, higher tier |
| 12 | Glo | *127*0# | Night & Weekend / Sunday data check |
| 13 | 9mobile | *229*3*11# | 1GB night-only plan |
A "code" is being sold to you by a stranger for cash outside official channels, promises data at a price far below anything listed here, or asks you to forward an OTP. Legitimate discounted bundles come from the network's own USSD menu, app or website — never from a third party who needs your PIN.
Which network gives the most data per naira right now?
These rankings reflect general patterns reported across 2026 — networks adjust pricing frequently, so treat this as a starting point for comparison, not a locked-in fact.
If you're weighing a full network switch rather than just chasing a cheaper code, our [INTERNAL LINK: Smartphone buying guide] breaks down which specifications and connectivity features actually matter before you commit to a plan built around a specific carrier's data strength.
Frequently asked questions
Most work broadly, but a few — like MTN's *121# offers and Airtel's Winback code — are personalised or eligibility-based, so they may not show identical results on every line.
The NCC's harmonisation directive moved core services onto shared shortcodes across networks. MTN's data menu moved from *131# to *312#, and some older codes now simply redirect to the new one.
No. It was rebranded to 9mobile in 2017. The network, SIMs and USSD codes referenced as "9mobile" here are the same network many people still search for as "Etisalat."
Possibly not exactly. Telecom operators in Nigeria revise data pricing fairly often. Use the codes as a map to where the discounts live, but trust the figure the USSD menu shows you at the moment you dial.
Simply dialling a USSD code to view a menu won't charge you. You're only charged after you confirm a specific purchase, so read each screen before pressing send/confirm.
Dial *323# right after subscribing. It works across MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile and shows your current data balance and expiry.
Bottom line
If you only do three things: dial *312# first on any network, check *121# on MTN before buying anything standard, and confirm every purchase with *323# afterward. Beyond that, match the code to your actual habits — night browsers get the most out of Pulse, SmartTrybe or 9mobile's night plan, while anyone buying in bulk should compare Glo's Always On tier before committing.
For the official, always-current plan lists, check each operator directly: MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Glo, and 9mobile, or the regulator at ncc.gov.ng.