After MTN's February 2025 pricing update eliminated hourly plans and hiked prices 200%, finding value got harder. We analyzed all 38 bundles to identify the top 10 that actually save you money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best MTN data plan under ₦10,000?
The 45GB Always On plan for ₦9,000 is the best MTN data plan under ₦10,000 in 2025, offering data at ₦0.20 per MB with no night/day restrictions. Activate it with SMS 163 to 312 or dial *312*163#.
How do I activate the MTN 45GB Always On plan?
To activate the MTN 45GB Always On plan, dial *312*163# or send SMS 163 to 312. The plan costs ₦9,000 and is valid for 30 days.
What is the activation code for MTN 1GB at ₦500?
To get 1GB for ₦500 on MTN, dial *312*155# or send SMS 155 to 312. This is a daily plan that includes 1.5 minutes of voice calls.
Does MTN data rollover still work in 2025?
Yes, MTN data rollover works in 2025 but you must renew BEFORE your current plan expires. The new plan must be equal or larger than the expiring plan, and only unused data from the current plan rolls over. Learn more about rollover rules.
What is the cheapest MTN data plan per MB in 2025?
The 800GB yearly plan at ₦125,000 is the cheapest MTN data plan per MB in 2025, costing only ₦0.16 per MB. Activate with SMS 186 to 312 or dial *312*186#.
Look, I've been analyzing MTN data plans for years now, and lemme tell you - the 2025 pricing update hit different. After MTN Nigeria dropped their new rates in February, I spent weeks comparing every single bundle, testing activation codes, and calculating the real cost per MB. Some plans went up by 200%, others completely disappeared, and a few new ones popped up that nobody's talking about yet.
Here's what actually matters: I found the top 10 data plans that give you the best bang for your buck in 2025. Not the marketing fluff, not the confusing tables - just the plans that'll save you money based on how you actually use data.
According to Vanguard's report on the MTN price changes, the February 2025 adjustments affected millions of Nigerian subscribers, making it crucial to understand which plans still offer value.
Quick Navigation
The Real Story Behind MTN's 2025 Data Changes
So here's what went down. On February 13, 2025, MTN Nigeria basically rewrote their entire data playbook. Those sweet hourly plans we used to abuse for downloading movies? Gone. The ultra-cheap yearly bundles? History. What we got instead is a system that pushes you toward bigger, more expensive monthly plans.
I was honestly frustrated when I first saw the changes. My go-to 10GB hourly plan for ₦1,000 vanished overnight. But after digging through all 38 standard plans and 80 eShop bundles (yeah, I counted), I found some hidden gems that actually work better than the old system - if you know where to look.
Need specialized data? Check out our guide on MTN Social Bundles for WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok which can save you up to 70% if you mainly use social media.
Top 10 Best Value MTN Data Plans for 2025
After analyzing every single MTN bundle available, here are the absolute best deals ranked by cost per MB:
Top 10 MTN Data Plans Ranked by Value
| Rank | Plan Name | Price (₦) | Data Volume | Validity | Cost/MB (₦) | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 800GB Yearly Plan | 125,000 | 800GB | 365 days | 0.16 | SMS 186 to 312 or *312*186# |
| 2 | 480GB 3-Month Plan | 90,000 | 480GB | 90 days | 0.19 | SMS 133 to 312 or *312*133# |
| 3 | 45GB Always On Monthly | 9,000 | 45GB | 30 days | 0.20 | SMS 163 to 312 or *312*163# |
| 4 | 165GB Monthly Plan | 35,000 | 165GB | 30 days | 0.21 | SMS 149 to 312 or *312*149# |
| 5 | 250GB Monthly Plan | 55,000 | 250GB | 30 days | 0.22 | SMS 111 to 312 or *312*111# |
| 6 | 20GB Weekly Plan | 5,000 | 20GB | 7 days | 0.24 | Digital Channels Only |
| 7 | 75GB Monthly Plan | 18,000 | 75GB | 30 days | 0.24 | SMS 150 to 312 or *312*150# |
| 8 | 65GB Monthly Plan | 16,000 | 65GB | 30 days | 0.25 | SMS 178 to 312 or *312*178# |
| 9 | 150GB 2-Month Plan | 40,000 | 150GB | 60 days | 0.27 | SMS 118 to 312 or *312*118# |
| 10 | 90GB 2-Month Plan | 25,000 | 90GB | 60 days | 0.28 | SMS 119 to 312 or *312*119# |
Key Insights from the Top 10
The Winner: That 800GB yearly plan at ₦0.16/MB is absolutely unbeatable if you can swing the upfront cost. I switched to it myself after doing this analysis.
Best Monthly Deal Under ₦10k: The 45GB Always On plan for ₦9,000 is the sweet spot. No night/day restrictions, just pure data at ₦0.20/MB.
Surprise Finding: The 165GB monthly plan (₦0.21/MB) actually beats the 250GB plan (₦0.22/MB) on cost efficiency. MTN's pricing doesn't always scale linearly - sometimes the "smaller" big plan is better value.
For home or office internet needs, see our analysis of MTN Router and Broadband Plans - spoiler: regular SIM cards in routers often beat dedicated broadband plans.
Cheapest MTN Data Plans at Each Budget Level
Not everyone can drop ₦125,000 on data. Here's the best value at every budget:
| Budget | Best Plan | Data | Cost/MB | Activation | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₦500 | 1GB + 1.5 Mins Daily | 1GB | ₦0.48 | *312*155# | 500MB Weekly (*312*103#) |
| ₦1,000 | 3.2GB 2-Day | 3.2GB | ₦0.31 | *312*180# | 1.5GB Weekly (*312*176#) |
| ₦3,500 | 11GB Weekly | 11GB | ₦0.31 | *312*181# | 7GB Monthly (*312*110#) |
| ₦9,000 | 45GB Always On | 45GB | ₦0.20 | *312*163# | 25GB Monthly (*312*153#) |
| ₦35,000 | 165GB Monthly | 165GB | ₦0.21 | *312*149# | 150GB 2-Month (*312*118#) |
| ₦55,000 | 250GB Monthly | 250GB | ₦0.22 | *312*111# | 480GB 3-Month (save up) |
Best MTN Data Plans by User Type
Everyone uses data differently. Here's what works for specific user types:
📊 Calculate Your Data Value
Compare any MTN data plan to find the best value for your money
MTN Data Value Calculator
Discover the real cost of your data and compare plans to save money
Calculate Data Value
Compare Two Data Plans
💡 Quick Tips for Better Data Value
- Plans with longer validity often offer better value per MB
- Compare the cost per MB/day to find truly economical options
- Consider your actual usage - unused data is wasted money
- Night plans might seem cheap but check the time restrictions
Best MTN Daily Data Plans (2025)
Daily plans have gotten expensive, but they're still useful for emergencies or testing new devices.
Daily Plan Comparison Table
| Plan | Price (₦) | Data | Cost/MB (₦) | Bonus | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5GB Daily | 750 | 2.5GB | 0.29 | Digital Only | MyMTN App/MoMo |
| 1GB + 1.5 Mins | 500 | 1GB | 0.48 | 1.5 mins voice | SMS 155 or *312*155# |
| 500MB Daily | 350 | 500MB | 0.70 | None | SMS 175 or *312*175# |
| 75MB Daily | 75 | 75MB | 1.00 | None | SMS 114 or *312*114# |
My Pick: If you're comfortable with the MyMTN app, that 2.5GB for ₦750 is your best bet. Otherwise, the 1GB plan with bonus minutes works great for USSD lovers.
Tip: Download the MyMTN app for exclusive deals - some plans are 20-30% cheaper there!
Best MTN Weekly Data Plans
Weekly plans hit different when you need consistent data but don't want monthly commitments.
Weekly Plan Breakdown
| Plan | Price (₦) | Data | Cost/MB (₦) | Bonus | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20GB Weekly | 5,000 | 20GB | 0.24 | Digital Only | MyMTN App/MoMo |
| 11GB Weekly | 3,500 | 11GB | 0.31 | None | SMS 181 or *312*181# |
| 6GB Weekly | 2,500 | 6GB | 0.41 | None | SMS 143 or *312*143# |
| 3.5GB Weekly | 1,500 | 3.5GB | 0.42 | None | SMS 176 or *312*176# |
The Weekly Champion: That 20GB for ₦5,000 is insane value - but only if you can use digital channels. For traditional activation, the 11GB plan is solid.
Best MTN Monthly Data Plans
This is where things get interesting. Monthly plans now dominate MTN's strategy, and honestly, some of these deals are pretty good if you pick right.
For detailed information on checking your monthly data balance and understanding rollover rules, see our complete guide to checking MTN data balance.
Top Monthly Plans Summary
| Category | Best Plan | Price | Data | Cost/MB | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10GB | 7GB Monthly | ₦3,500 | 7GB + 2GB Night | ₦0.50 | *312*110# |
| 10-50GB | 45GB Always On | ₦9,000 | 45GB | ₦0.20 | *312*163# |
| 50GB+ | 165GB Monthly | ₦35,000 | 165GB | ₦0.21 | *312*149# |
Best MTN 2-Month & 3-Month Plans
These are perfect if you hate constant renewals and want to lock in good rates.
Multi-Month Plan Options
| Plan | Price (₦) | Data | Cost/MB (₦) | Validity | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150GB 2-Month | 40,000 | 150GB | 0.27 | 60 days | SMS 118 or *312*118# |
| 90GB 2-Month | 25,000 | 90GB | 0.28 | 60 days | SMS 119 or *312*119# |
| 480GB 3-Month | 90,000 | 480GB | 0.19 | 90 days | SMS 133 or *312*133# |
Multi-Month Winner: The 480GB 3-month plan at ₦0.19/MB is phenomenal. I recommend this for anyone working from home or running a small business.
The King of All Plans: 800GB Yearly Bundle
This is it. The absolute best value in MTN's entire catalog. If you can afford the upfront cost, nothing else comes close. You're basically paying ₦342 per day for over 2GB daily. That's cheaper than buying daily plans!
Pro Tips for Activating MTN Data Plans
Listen, I've made every mistake in the book, so learn from my pain:
Method 1: USSD Codes (Most Reliable)
Just dial *312*[code]# from your MTN line. Works 99% of the time, even with zero airtime balance.
Method 2: SMS to 312
Text the plan code to 312. Simple, but sometimes delays during network congestion.
Method 3: MyMTN App (Best Deals)
Download from Play Store or App Store. Often has exclusive discounts and bonus data. Plus, you can track usage in real-time.
Method 4: MoMo Payment
Sometimes offers 5-10% discounts. Worth checking if you're buying big bundles.
Want to share your data with family? Check our complete guide to MTN data gifting and sharing - includes all transfer codes and methods.
Want to Save Even More Time?
Skip the hassle of codes and apps. SmartSMSSolutions lets you buy MTN data directly with just a few clicks - often with better rates than official channels.
Buy Data InstantlyRelated MTN Data Guides
Get the most from your MTN data with these detailed guides:
Methodology & Sources
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Look, MTN's 2025 pricing isn't what we wanted, but it's what we got. The good news? If you pick strategically, you can still get decent value. Here's my final advice:
For Best Value: Go big or go home. The 800GB yearly or 480GB 3-month plans offer unbeatable rates.
For Flexibility: The 45GB Always On monthly plan hits the sweet spot between price and convenience.
For Casual Users: Don't chase the cheapest plan. Get slightly more data than you think you need - running out mid-month costs more in emergency top-ups.
For Digital Natives: Embrace the MyMTN app. The exclusive deals make it worth the download.
Remember, the "best" plan depends on your specific situation. Track your usage for a month, then pick a plan with 20% buffer. That's the formula that works.
Tip: Set a reminder to check MTN's website monthly. They keep tweaking plans, and you might find better deals pop up.
Quick Reference: Activation Codes
That's everything you need to know about MTN data plans in 2025. Pick smart, avoid the overpriced traps, and your wallet will thank you.
Stay connected!
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're topping up for yourself or sending data to family back home, SmartSMSSolutions makes it simple. No codes to remember, instant delivery, and customer support that actually responds.
Buy MTN Data NowReady to ship faster?
Sign in to top up, send messages, and automate payments in minutes.
Managing promotional campaigns, mobile top-ups, utility bills, and subscription renewals across Nigeria's diverse service providers has become increasingly complex for businesses and individuals seeking efficient, reliable solutions.