Cheapest Data Plans in Nigeria 2026: MTN vs Airtel vs Glo vs 9mobile After Tariff Hike

In January 2026, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved the first major telecom tariff rebalancing in over a decade — allowing operators to raise prices by up to 50%. MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile have all adjusted their data and voice tariffs. The good news: Nigeria still has some of the most affordable mobile data in Africa on a cost-per-GB basis. The bad news: you need to know which plan to buy to avoid being overcharged. This guide breaks down every major bundle with cost-per-GB analysis.

The 2026 tariff hike — what changed

NCC approved tariff rebalancing of up to 50% in January 2026
MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile all raised prices between January and February 2026
Voice calls: MTN now charges ₦25/min (up from ₦17), Airtel ₦22/min, Glo ₦20/min
Data: MTN 1GB now costs ₦500–₦600 (up from ₦350), Glo 1GB still ₦300–₦400
In return: NCC mandated operators improve 4G coverage and reduce dropped call rates
T2 Mobile (limited to some states) still offers flat unlimited plans from ₦5,000/month

Full Data Plan Comparison — May 2026

Network	Plan Name	Data	Validity	Price	Cost per GB
Glo	G-Mega 75GB	75GB	30 days	₦10,000	₦133/GB
Glo	G-Mega 40GB	40GB	30 days	₦6,000	₦150/GB
Glo	Weekly 15GB	15GB	7 days	₦2,000	₦133/GB
MTN	1-Month 50GB	50GB	30 days	₦11,000	₦220/GB
MTN	1-Month 20GB	20GB	30 days	₦5,000	₦250/GB
MTN	Weekly 10GB	10GB	7 days	₦2,400	₦240/GB
Airtel	Value Plus 40GB	40GB	30 days	₦10,000	₦250/GB
Airtel	Smart 20GB	20GB	30 days	₦5,500	₦275/GB
9mobile	Bigga 20GB	20GB	30 days	₦5,000	₦250/GB
9mobile	Bigga 40GB	40GB	30 days	₦9,500	₦237/GB

Best Data Plans by Use Case

The 'cheapest' plan depends entirely on how you use data. A social media user who mainly browses WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter needs far less data than a remote worker uploading files to Google Drive and streaming video calls all day. Here's what we recommend by usage type.

Use Case	Monthly Data Needed	Best Plan	Monthly Cost
WhatsApp + social media only	5–10GB	Glo weekly 5GB x4	₦4,000
Light browsing + YouTube	15–25GB	Glo Weekly 15GB x2	₦4,000
Working from home (light)	30–50GB	Glo G-Mega 40GB	₦6,000
Working from home (heavy)	60–100GB	Glo G-Mega 75GB	₦10,000
Video creator / developer	100GB+	Spectranet/FibreOne fibre	₦15,000+
Netflix + gaming household	150GB+	Fixed broadband ISP	₦18,000+

Network Coverage Comparison by Region

Coverage quality matters as much as price. A Glo bundle is useless if Glo's network is congested in your area. Here's how the four operators compare by region as of May 2026.

Region	Best Network for Coverage	Best for Data Value	4G Availability
Lagos	MTN / Airtel (tie)	Glo	All four operators
Abuja (FCT)	MTN	Glo	All four operators
Port Harcourt	MTN / Airtel	Glo	MTN, Airtel, Glo
Kano	MTN	MTN (Glo coverage patchy)	MTN, Airtel
Ibadan	MTN / Glo	Glo	All four operators
Rural South-West	MTN	MTN (Glo weaker here)	MTN, patchy Airtel
Rural North	MTN	MTN	MTN only in most areas

USSD Codes to Buy Data Bundles (All Networks)

MTN data bundles: Dial *131# or use the myMTN app — select 'Buy Data' and choose your bundle
Airtel data bundles: Dial *141# or use the My Airtel app — select 'Buy Data'
Glo data bundles: Dial *777# or use the GloCafe app — select your bundle tier
9mobile data bundles: Dial *229# or use the 9mobile app
Check remaining data balance: MTN *131*4#, Airtel *140#, Glo *127*0#, 9mobile *228#
Share data: MTN *131*3#, Airtel *141# then select 'share', Glo *127*01*[number]*[MB]#

How to Avoid Wasting Your Data Bundle

Data-saving tips for Nigerian users

Set WhatsApp to download media on Wi-Fi only — voice notes and photos eat GBs fast
Use YouTube's 'Save for offline' feature over Wi-Fi and watch videos downloaded — not streaming
Disable app background refresh on Android/iOS — apps updating in the background drain bundles silently
Use Lite versions of apps: Facebook Lite, Instagram Lite, and Opera Mini use 70–80% less data
Avoid using Google Maps on mobile data for long trips — download offline maps on Wi-Fi first
Check for 'night browsing' bonuses: MTN and Glo offer extra data between midnight and 5am on some plans

The NCC's Consumer Rights After the Tariff Hike

The NCC approved the tariff increase on the condition that operators meet improved service quality targets. Under the NCC's Quality of Service (QoS) framework, operators must achieve minimum 4G download speeds of 3Mbps at the 80th percentile of their network, reduce dropped call rates below 2%, and resolve consumer complaints within 48 hours. If your network consistently fails to deliver advertised speeds, you can file a formal complaint at ncc.gov.ng or call 622.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which network has the cheapest data in Nigeria in 2026?+

After the January 2026 tariff hike, Glo still offers the most data per naira on most monthly bundles — typically ₦133–₦150 per GB compared to MTN's ₦200–₦240 per GB. However, cheapest-per-GB does not mean best value: MTN and Airtel have significantly better 4G coverage in northern Nigeria and rural areas, better customer service, and more reliable speeds in many cities. For Lagos and Abuja heavy users, Glo's G-Mega 75GB bundle at ₦10,000 is the best cost-per-GB deal. For nationwide coverage, MTN is the safer choice despite the higher price.

By how much did Nigerian telecoms raise data prices in 2026?+

The NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) approved tariff rebalancing of up to 50% for telecom operators in January 2026 — the first significant price increase in over a decade. MTN raised data prices by approximately 50%, Airtel by 40–50%, and Glo by 35–45%. This was driven by naira depreciation (telecoms import network equipment in USD), energy costs (running generators for base stations), and years of below-cost pricing. The NCC mandated that operators improve service quality in return for the tariff increase.

Is it worth buying two SIM cards from different networks in Nigeria?+

Yes — many experienced Nigerian mobile users carry a dual-SIM phone with both Glo (for data bundles) and MTN or Airtel (for calls and as a backup). This lets you take advantage of Glo's lower data costs while keeping the reliability of MTN/Airtel for voice calls and coverage in areas where Glo signal is weak. The SIM registration and purchase cost is negligible (₦100–₦500 per SIM).

What is 9mobile's data situation after the tariff hike?+

9mobile (formerly Etisalat) remains the smallest of the four major operators by subscriber base. Post-hike, their data plans are broadly similar in price to Airtel and MTN. 9mobile's strength is in Lagos and Abuja corporate business users, and they have been expanding their 4G LTE coverage. For regular consumers, Glo or MTN typically offer better value.

Do Nigerian data plans roll over if unused?+

Most MTN, Airtel, and Glo bundles do NOT automatically roll over unused data at expiry. Some specific plans (like MTN's SME data bundles) allow rollover if you renew before the current plan expires. Glo offers rollover on some bundles if you buy the same or a larger bundle before expiry. Always check the specific plan terms before purchase — unused data at expiry is one of the most common sources of customer frustration.

Can I share my mobile data with family members in Nigeria?+

Yes. MTN's data sharing (via *131*3#), Airtel's data gifting, and Glo's data share feature all allow subscribers to distribute data to other numbers on the same network. This is useful for families on the same network — a parent can buy a bulk bundle and share portions to children's numbers. Cross-network data sharing is not available.

Disclaimer: CompareMarket NG is an independent comparison service. Information is verified against regulatory databases (NAICOM, CBN, FCCPC, NDIC, NERC, NCC) and updated regularly, but rates and products change frequently. Always verify current terms directly with the provider before making a financial decision. This is not financial advice.