Data Plans Compared: MTN vs Airtel vs Glo vs 9mobile (Cost Per GB)

If you're buying data in Nigeria, the cheapest plan isn't always the one with the lowest price tag—it's the one with the lowest cost per gigabyte (GB). In this guide, I break down the real value behind MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile (now T2) data plans using current 2026 pricing, so you can stop overspending on mobile internet.

Whether you're a student streaming lectures, a remote worker on Zoom calls, or just scrolling through social media, understanding cost per GB helps you choose the right bundle for your usage pattern. I've verified all prices against official operator websites and NCC-approved tariff filings as of September 2026.

Why Cost Per GB Matters More Than Plan Price

Many Nigerians make the mistake of choosing data plans based solely on the upfront cost—like picking a ₦1,000 bundle because it's affordable—without realizing they're paying more per GB than someone buying a ₦10,000 plan.

For example:

• Glo's ₦500 weekly plan gives you 1.35GB (about ₦370/GB)
• MTN's ₦9,000 monthly plan gives you 45GB (about ₦200/GB)

The MTN plan costs 18 times more upfront, but you're getting data at nearly half the unit price. If you use 45GB in a month, buying Glo's weekly plan four times would cost you ₦2,000 for just 5.4GB—far less value.

This is why I calculate cost per GB for every plan below. It's the only way to compare apples to apples across networks with different bundle sizes, validity periods, and bonus data structures.

How Nigerian Data Tariffs Are Regulated

Before diving into the numbers, it's important to understand that all data plans from MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile must be approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The NCC maintains a public register of approved operator tariff plans, and operators cannot launch new data bundles without prior approval. This means the prices you see on operator websites are regulated and standardized—though operators can modify plans with NCC consent, which happens frequently based on market competition.

If you ever suspect you're being charged incorrectly for data, you can reference the NCC's approved tariff list or file a complaint through their consumer affairs bureau.

MTN Data Plans: Pricing and Cost Per GB

MTN Nigeria offers the widest range of data plans in the country, from daily bundles to yearly "Always-On" packages. I've organized their most popular plans by validity period below.

MTN Daily and Short-Term Plans

Best short-term value: MTN's 3.2GB for ₦1,000 (2-day validity) gives you ₦312.50/GB—ideal for weekend browsing or urgent downloads.

MTN Monthly Plans (Most Popular)

Winner for heavy users: MTN's 45GB Always-On plan at ₦9,000 is the cheapest mainstream monthly plan from any Nigerian network at ₦200/GB.

MTN Yearly Plans

If you can afford the upfront cost, MTN's 800GB yearly plan at ₦125,000 works out to ₦156.25/GB—the lowest unit price for phone data in Nigeria.

How to activate MTN data: Dial *312# or use the MyMTN NG app for exclusive smart bundles.

Airtel Data Plans: Pricing and Cost Per GB

Airtel Nigeria positions itself as a value-for-money network, with competitive pricing on both small and large bundles. Their plans often include bonus data for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok during night hours.

Airtel Daily and Weekly Plans

Best short-term value: Airtel's 2GB for ₦600 (2-day validity) at ₦300/GB is solid for quick browsing sessions.

Airtel Monthly Plans

Note on bonus data: Airtel's "YouTube Night" bonus (typically 2GB usable between 12am–5am on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok) significantly reduces effective cost per GB if you stream at night.

For example, the ₦2,500 for 4GB plan includes 2GB night bonus, making it 6GB total. That drops the effective cost from ₦312.50/GB to about ₦208/GB if you use the bonus.

Airtel Quarterly and Yearly Plans

Airtel's long-term plans don't offer as steep a discount as MTN or Glo, but they're still competitive for users who prefer predictable quarterly or yearly spending.

How to activate Airtel data: Dial 141# or use the Airtel Thanks app. Specific plan codes like 31224*2# for 3GB monthly are also available.

Glo Data Plans: Pricing and Cost Per GB

Glo has built a reputation as the budget-friendly network, especially for heavy data users. Their "Mega" and "Super" bundles offer some of the lowest cost-per-GB rates in Nigeria, particularly on long-term plans.

Glo Daily and Weekly Plans

Best short-term value: Glo's 7GB for ₦1,500 (7-day validity) at ₦214/GB is one of the cheapest weekly plans across all networks.

Glo Monthly Plans

Standout deal: Glo's 36GB for ₦5,000 at ₦139/GB is the cheapest monthly plan in Nigeria by a wide margin—less than half the cost per GB of most MTN and Airtel plans.

Glo Quarterly and Yearly Plans (Mega Bundles)

Cheapest data in Nigeria: Glo's 1TB yearly plan at ₦150,000 works out to ₦150/GB—the absolute lowest cost per GB available from any Nigerian mobile network in 2026.

If you're a heavy user (streaming, downloads, remote work), this plan saves you thousands compared to buying monthly bundles. For context, buying MTN's 45GB monthly plan 12 times would cost ₦108,000 for just 540GB—half the data at nearly the same price.

How to activate Glo data: Dial *312# or *127# to access the data menu. Glo also allows data gifting and sharing across lines.

9mobile (T2) Data Plans: Pricing and Cost Per GB

9mobile rebranded to T2 in August 2025, but most Nigerians still refer to it as 9mobile. The network has fewer plan options than MTN or Glo, and their cost-per-GB rates are generally higher—making them less competitive for heavy users.

9mobile Daily and Weekly Plans

Best short-term value: 9mobile's 2GB weekend plan at ₦500 (₦250/GB) is decent for Friday-to-Sunday browsing.

9mobile Monthly Plans

Note: The 50GB for ₦10,000 plan (activated via 2294*3#) is an outlier—it matches MTN's best rate at ₦200/GB, but it's not consistently available across all user accounts.

For most users, 9mobile's standard monthly plans range from ₦424–₦500/GB, making them the most expensive among the four networks for regular browsing.

9mobile Night and Social Bundles

If you primarily browse at night, 9mobile's 1GB night plan at ₦200 is competitive—but it's only usable between 12am and 5am.

How to activate 9mobile data: Dial 229# or use the 9mobile app. Night plans require 229311#.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Cheapest Cost Per GB by Category

To make this practical, I've ranked the four networks by cost per GB across different usage patterns. All prices are verified as of September 2026.

Cheapest Daily Plan (1-Day Validity)

Winner: MTN's 1GB Smart Bundle at ₦200/GB (MyMTN app exclusive).

Cheapest Weekly Plan (7-Day Validity)

Winner: Glo's 7GB for ₦1,500 at ₦214/GB.

Cheapest Monthly Plan (30-Day Validity)

Winner: Glo's 36GB for ₦5,000 at ₦139/GB—unbeatable for monthly users.

Cheapest Yearly Plan (365-Day Validity)

Winner: Glo's 1TB for ₦150,000 at ₦150/GB—the cheapest data in Nigeria.

Best Night Plan (12am–5am)

Winner: MTN and Airtel tie at ₦100/GB for 250MB night bundles.

Hidden Costs and What Operators Don't Tell You

Depletion Rates and "Out-of-Bundle" Charges

When your data bundle expires, operators automatically charge you a "pay-as-you-go" (PAYU) rate for any additional data you use. According to NCC-approved tariffs, this rate is typically ₦0.48/MB for MTN, ₦0.78/MB for Airtel, and similar for Glo and 9mobile—translating to ₦480–₦780/GB.

That's 2–4 times more expensive than even the costliest bundled plan. Always monitor your data balance and buy a small top-up bundle before your main plan expires to avoid PAYU charges.

Bonus Data Expiry

Many plans (especially Airtel's YouTube Night bundles) include bonus data that expires separately from your main data. If you don't use the bonus within its validity window (often 30 days or night-only hours), you lose it.

Read the terms carefully: a plan advertised as "4GB + 2GB bonus" might actually be 4GB for 30 days and 2GB only for night streaming.

Network Coverage vs. Price

While Glo offers the cheapest data per GB, its 4G coverage is limited compared to MTN and Airtel, especially in rural areas. If you frequently travel outside major cities, paying a premium for MTN or Airtel might be worth it for consistent connectivity.

I've seen users buy Glo's 36GB plan only to struggle with slow speeds in their area—effectively making the cost per usable GB much higher.

How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Usage

Light Users (Under 5GB/month)

If you mainly use WhatsApp, browse news sites, and check email, you don't need a 30GB plan. Opt for:

• MTN's 2GB for ₦1,500 (30 days) or
• Glo's 1.35GB for ₦500 (30 days)

Both are affordable and prevent waste from unused data.

Moderate Users (5–20GB/month)

For social media, occasional video streaming, and remote work:

• Glo's 24GB for ₦5,000 (₦208/GB) or
• Airtel's 22GB for ₦5,000 (₦227/GB)

These give you enough buffer without overspending.

Heavy Users (20GB+/month)

If you stream Netflix, download large files, or work from home:

• Glo's 36GB for ₦5,000 (₦139/GB) or
• MTN's 45GB Always-On for ₦9,000 (₦200/GB)

For extreme usage, Glo's 1TB yearly plan at ₦150,000 (₦150/GB) is the most economical choice.

Practical Tool Integration

To make this even easier, ToolBase offers a Data Plan Calculator where you can input your monthly budget and usage needs to instantly see the best value plan across all four networks.

You can also use our Budget Tracker to monitor your monthly data spending and identify if you're consistently overspending on short-term plans when a monthly bundle would save you money.

Final Thoughts: Which Network Offers the Best Value?

Based on cost per GB alone:

• Glo wins for monthly and yearly plans (₦139–₦150/GB)
• MTN wins for daily and Always-On monthly plans (₦200/GB)
• Airtel is competitive with bonus data for night streamers
• 9mobile is generally the most expensive for standard plans

However, the "best" network depends on your location, usage pattern, and whether you value coverage over price. I recommend testing a small bundle on your preferred network before committing to a large monthly or yearly plan.

---

Last Updated: September 2026
Sources: NCC Approved Tariff Plans, MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, 9mobile (T2) official websites, and verified third-party comparisons.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.