Nigeria Data Plan Comparator 2026

Compare daily, weekly and monthly data plans from MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile — updated after the February 2025 NCC 50% tariff hike. Filter by network and duration, set a budget, sort by best value per GB, and copy USSD activation codes instantly.

data-plans.tool — Updated May 2026
My budget: ₦ — showing plans within this budget
ⓘ Prices reflect the 50% NCC tariff hike effective February 2025. Verify via *312# or network apps before subscribing — prices change frequently.
Network Quick Comparison — Monthly Plans (2026)
Network Cheapest Mid-range Best Value/GB Coverage 5G
MTN 2GB ₦1,500 10GB ₦4,500 ₦500/GB ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best ✓ Yes
Airtel 2GB ₦1,500 10GB ₦4,500 ₦390/GB (200GB) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good ✓ Yes
Glo 3.9GB ₦1,000 10.8GB ₦2,500 ₦256/GB (best!) ⭐⭐⭐ Variable ✗ No
9mobile/T2 4GB ₦1,000 11.4GB ₦2,500 ₦250/GB (50GB) ⭐⭐ Limited ✗ No

2026 Data Prices After the NCC Tariff Hike

In February 2025 the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators. All four major networks — MTN, Airtel, Globacom (Glo) and 9mobile — implemented significant price increases. A plan that cost ₦1,000 for 1.5GB now costs ₦1,500 for 2GB. The hike was controversial: the NLC threatened strike action, NANS protested, and MTN briefly attempted a 200% increase before reverting. These new prices have been in effect since February 2025 and remain current as of 2026.

Which Network Has the Cheapest Data Per GB?

Glo consistently offers the most data per naira — their 3.9GB for ₦1,000 (₦256/GB) and 200GB for ₦20,000 are among the best value plans available. However, Glo's network speed and coverage is inconsistent, particularly outside Lagos and Abuja.
9mobile/T2 offers competitive prices (₦250/GB on their 50GB plan) but has the smallest coverage footprint and frequent network issues in many areas.
Airtel offers excellent value on large plans — 200GB for ₦20,000 (₦100/GB) — and is the strongest competitor to MTN in urban areas with good 4G/5G coverage.
MTN is the most expensive per GB but has Nigeria's widest and most reliable coverage, including the only widespread 5G network in Lagos, Abuja and other major cities.

How to Read the ₦/GB Figure

The cost per gigabyte (₦/GB) shown on each card is calculated by dividing the plan price by the total data volume. It is the most reliable way to compare plans across networks and sizes. A plan with a lower ₦/GB is better value in pure data terms, but always factor in network quality, coverage in your area, and whether you will actually use all the data before it expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

In February 2025 the NCC approved a 50% increase in telecom tariffs, allowing operators to raise voice and data prices. MTN initially attempted a 200% increase, which sparked public outrage and was quickly reversed. All four major networks ultimately settled at approximately 50% higher prices than before. For example, MTN's ₦1,000/1.5GB monthly plan became ₦1,500/2GB. These higher prices are now the standard as of 2026.
It depends on your priorities. For raw value (most GB per naira), Glo offers the best rates — 3.9GB for ₦1,000 and 200GB for ₦20,000. For reliability and coverage, MTN is the safest choice across all regions. For urban streaming and social media, Airtel competes closely with MTN and offers excellent value on large bundles. 9mobile is cheapest for light users in cities where their network works well, but coverage is very limited.
All four networks use *312# as the universal data purchase code. This opens a menu where you can browse and purchase plans. Alternatively, use network-specific codes: MTN *312# or *904#, Airtel *141#, Glo *777#, 9mobile *229#. Each plan card in the comparator above shows the specific USSD code — click it to copy, then dial it on your phone. The myMTN and My Airtel apps often have exclusive plans not available via USSD.
Several plans include bonus night data valid between midnight and 5 AM. This data is typically used for downloads, software updates, streaming and browsing during those hours. MTN and Glo include night data on selected plans. The night bonus is separate from your main data allowance and is indicated in the plan notes. If you are a heavy user who can schedule downloads overnight, plans with night bonuses offer significantly more effective data per naira.
Monthly plans almost always offer better value per GB than weekly plans. The weekly premium exists for convenience — you pay more for the flexibility of not committing to a month. If you are a consistent daily internet user, a monthly plan is the smarter financial choice. Weekly plans suit situations where you need heavy data for a specific short period (travel, a project) or where you are not sure about a network's quality in a new area before committing monthly.