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You may check out the best monthly data plans in Nigeria if you prefer monthly subscription.

Daily Data Plans

Years ago, you had to pay about N150 or more for just 30 MB of internet browsing data. A 10MB data plan went for N100. Today, you can get 30 MB for N50 on Glo network. You get 10 MB at that price from Etisalat. Glo and Airtel offer 30 MB for N100. Etisalat gives N50 MB for the same price and Glo, 60 MB. MTN’s N200 daily plan offers you 100MB. You can have same data allocation on a plan that lasts three days on Airtel at N200. Glo offers 200 MB with validity of five days for that price. Airtel also has a special plan which gives you 5 MB daily for five days for a charge of N100. Here are the codes:

Airtel

N100 (30 MB) – *410#
N100 (5 MB daily for 5 days) – *401#
N200 (100 MB, 3-day validity) – *412#

Etisalat

N50 (10MB) – *229*3*8# or text MI3 to 229
N100 (50MB) – *229*3*1# or text MI1 to 229

Glo

N50 (30 MB) – *127*14#
N100 (60 MB) – *127*51#
N200 (200 MB, 5-day validity) – *127*56#

MTN

N100 (30 MB) – Send 104 to 131
N200 (100 MB) – Send 113 to 131

Caveat on Etisalat’s N50 data plan: I’d like to advise you to proceed with caution as regards the N50 data from Etisalat. This is necessary since it is included in this best data plans in Nigeria piece. I had to subscribe to it for some reason last year and was unable to deactivate auto-renewal following usual procedure afterwards. The plan was repeatedly renewed. When I reached out to customer care, details that are usually required to do a SIM swap were requested from me. I had to abandon the SIM in question because I felt the requirements were excessive and unnecessary.

Weekly Data Plans

Airtel offers a weekly, 80MB data plan for N300 and a 14-day, 750MB plan for N500. Etisalat’s weekly plan of N200 is for 200MB data, while that of MTN which costs N500 offers 750 MB. Glo gives subscribers an unrivalled 1.6 GB for N500 weekly. Take the codes:

Airtel

N300 (80 MB) – *417#
N500 (750 MB, 14-day validity) – *418#

Etisalat

N200 (200 MB) – *229*2*10# or text LCD to 229

Glo

N500 (1.6 GB) – *127*57#

MTN

N500 (750 MB) – Text 103 to 131

Glo again offers some of the best data plans in Nigeria for mini data users. But unlike in the case of monthly data plans, it only leads some of its rivals here just marginally. One thing you may find especially interesting is the Nigerian-owned company’s Flexi Recharge rate. This allows you browse for just N1/MB without an active plan! At that rate, even the company’s unbeatable N100 data plan isn’t worth the money. It represents even more, at least of equal, value than most the data plans in Nigeria mentioned here.

Rejoice, O ye mini data users!

[Source 1] [Source 2] [Source 3] [Source 4]

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As of the last post on the best data plans in Nigeria 2016, Glo Nigeria reigned supreme. Has anything changed since then? What do these networks now have to offer us in monthly data plans? You will get answers to those questions and more in this post. The focus will be on consumer data plans and, by that, I mean those best suited to non-corporate (non-business) users. I don’t think majority of such users will need to spend more than N8,000 on data every month these days. The monthly plans of interest here will be classified into low, moderate and heavy usage categories. The arbitrary descriptions of these are:

Low usage plans – those costing less than N2,000.
Moderate usage plans – those priced between N2,000 and N4,000.
Heavy usage plans – those with prices higher than N4,000, but less than N8,000.

So without further ado or ‘over-ceremony,’ let’s have a closer look at the best data plans in Nigeria for persons looking to spend no more than N8,000 in a month.

Low Usage Plans

MTN and Airtel offer you 1.5 GB monthly for N1,000, while Etisalat gives just 1 GB. But the usual suspect, Glo, flogs all of them out of the water with an offer of 3.2 GB! Etisalat also has a N1,200 data plan which gives an allocation of 1.5GB data. However, if you are reluctant about coughing out a ‘whopping’ N1,000 monthly, the same company has an offer of 500 MB for N500. Here are the codes to catch the offers:

Airtel

1.5 GB (N1,000) – *496#

Etisalat

500 MB (N500) – *229*2*12# or text ‘LCD2’ (without the quotes) to 229
1 GB (N1,000) – *229*2*7# or text ‘AND1’ to 229
1.5 GB (N1,200) – *229*2*25#

Glo

3.2 GB (N1,000) – *127*53#

MTN

1.5 GB (N1,000) – Text ‘106’ (without the quotes) to 131

Glo offers more data allowance per Naira in this category of best data plans in Nigeria.

Moderate Usage Plans

Like in the case of their N1,000 plans, Airtel and MTN offer you similar browsing data for N2,000. Each of them allocates 3.5 GB, which is only slightly more than what Glo offers for N1,000! Yet, Etisalat can only offer 2.5 GB for N2,000. Glo, in its case, provides 7.5 GB for the same price. Add N500 more and you get a total of 10 GB! Airtel offers 5 GB for the same N2,500. A worse offer is 3.5 GB for N2,500 from Etisalat – hm, who wants that?

Pay N3,000 and get 12 GB internet browsing data from Glo, while N3,500 only gets you 3.5 GB from Etisalat. Airtel has 7GB browsing data for N3,000, while Etisalat gives 6.5 GB for the same price. Glo provides 18 GB for N4,000; you get half of that for the same price from Airtel. Find the subscription codes for each offer in this category of best data plans in Nigeria below.

Airtel

3.5 GB (N2,000) – *437#
5 GB (N2,500) – *437*1#
7 GB (3,500) – *438#
9 GB (4,000) – *438*1#

Etisalat

2.5 GB (N2,000) – *229*2*8# or text AND2 to 229
3.5 GB (N2,500) – *229*2*26# or text AND22 to 229
5 GB (N3,500) – *229*2*9# or text AND3 to 229

Glo

7.5GB (2,000) – *127*55#
10 GB (2,500) – *127*58#
12 GB (3,000) – *127*54#
18 GB (4,000) – *127*59#

MTN

3.5 GB (N2,000) – Send 110 to 131

Glo again takes the crown here.

Heavy Usage Plans

This category of the 2017 best data plans in Nigeria is for others with prices not higher than N8,000. Airtel’s Mega 5 (10GB) and Mega 8 (16GB) plans go for N5,000 and N8,000, respectively. Etisalat offers a measly 11.5 GB for N8,000. Glo has 24 GB for N5,000 and double that data amount for N8,000. In its own case, MTN offers only a N5,000 (10GB) plan in this best data plans in Nigeria category. Here are the codes for the diverse plans:

Airtel

10 GB (N5,000) – *452#
16 GB (N8,000) – *460#

Etisalat

16GB (N8,000) – *229*2*5# or text MB6 to 229

Glo

24 GB (N5,000) – *127*2#
48 GB (N8,000) – *127*1#

MTN

10 GB (N5,000) – Send 116 to 131

It is obvious that Glo once again smacks its rivals in this category of the best data plans in Nigeria on the basis of value for money. Etisalat data plans appear to be the most costly right now. One can easily see why some networks appeared interested in purported data price hike of last year. Glo is clearly winning the price war. This is so unfair!

Important Considerations

Although people often tend to focus more on price, that is not the only factor in determining the best data plans in Nigeria. Individual circumstances determine what is best. While Glo data plans are budget-friendly, they are practically useless if network quality is terrible in your area. There are people who place higher premium on connection quality, including yours sincerely. Many users do not need a data overload.

These days that we can now enjoy blazing-fast 4G LTE connectivity, it is another factor to consider. You can use your existing SIM for LTE data on Etisalat, but it appears you need a special SIM on Glo. Such and other special points need to be factored into the decision on best data plans in Nigeria.

It is left to you to determine what matters most to you – price or connection quality. But the temptation to save money may prove too strong for many. After all, who doesn’t like to have extra money for other expenses?

[Source 1] [Source 2] [Source 3] [Source 4]

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Best Data Plan

Different factors determine the best data plan, including price and network quality at your location. The main factor focused on here is affordability. You may be right to call these the most affordable or cheapest data plans for the year 2016. It is especially meant for those mobile subscribers who love to save money and do so effectively. If signal quality is an issue in your area for any best plan, you will, at least, know which of the networks available in your area offer a good data deal. In discussing the best data plans in Nigeria 2016, attempt will be made to suggest plans for individuals (as against corporate bodies) with low, moderate or high data needs. Virtually all the data plans suggested here work on both smartphones and laptops. Without wasting much of your time, let’s start.

Low-to-Moderate Data Usage

Users with low-to-moderate data needs will usually not be willing to spend more than N3,000 per month on mobile data subscription; the cheapest monthly data plans you can get right now go for N1,000. The following are some suggestions on best data plans in Nigeria 2016 to consider when working with a price in this range.

N1,000 Data Plans

Virtually all the mobile networks now offer users at least 1.5GB worth of data allowance for N1,000. But Glo Nigeria raises the bar higher by giving 2 GB (update: rivals have now followed suit). Amazing! This is quite impressive when you consider that some months ago you only get 260 MB at this price. The following are the codes for accessing the N1,000 data plans on the different networks:

Airtel (1.5GB Android) – *496#

Etisalat (1.5GB) – *229*2*7# or *929*9#

Glo (2GB) – *127*53#

MTN (1.5GB) – *106#

Glo remains the winner in this category. But other factors, such as signal quality, will also contribute when determining the best in individual cases.

N2,000-N3,000 Data Plans

Glo Nigeria used to have the best data plan in the country for N2,000 offering a whopping 3 GB! However, all its rivals have now upped the ante by giving users 3.5 GB for the same amount. Here are the subscription codes for the N2,000 data plans:

Airtel (3.5GB Android 2.0) – *437#
Etisalat (3.5 GB) – *229*2*8#

MTN (3.5 GB) – *110#
Glo (6 GB) – *127*55#

Glo Nigeria has improved its N2,500 data plan allowance to 10 GB – up from 5 GB the last time. The company is no longer alone is this category, as it has now been joined by Airtel which also gives users 5 GB data on its Android 3.0 plan. You can get these N2,500 data plans using the codes:

Airtel (5GB Android 2.5) – *437*1#

Glo (10 GB) – *127*58#

The N3,000 data plan from Glo delivers even much more value for money to moderate, and even some heavy, users with an allocation of 6 GB! This undoubtedly comes top among best data plans in Nigeria 2016 for those who do not want to spend more than N3,000 on data in a month. However, it is no longer as exciting as it sounded months ago. You can subscribe for the plan using

*127*54#

There are no two ways about it: Glo dominates in this price category as well.

Heavy Data Usage

A monthly data allocation of 6 GB should be more than enough for most mobile subscribers. However, if it is not in your own case, the following are the notable best data plans in Nigeria 2016 costing no more than N10,000 per month and which you might find more suitable to your requirements; only two networks offer plans worthy of consideration in this category:

Airtel

7GB Android 3.5 (N3,500) – *438#

Etisalat

6.5 GB (N3,500) – *229*2*9#
16 GB (N8,000) – *229*2*5#

22 GB (10,000) – *229*4*1#

Glo

9 GB (N4,000) – *127*59#
12 GB (N5,000) – *127*2#
24 GB (N8,000) – *127*1#

MTN

10 GB (N5,000) – *116#

As you may have observed, Glo is probably the only network worthy of being considered by those ready to pay between N3,500 and N10,000 for data per month. Etisalat now appears to be closer on its heels than it previously was or any other company is in terms of value for money.

Glo Nigeria is obviously the force to reckon with when talking about the best data plans in Nigeria 2016. The plans you get from the network at any price point are not surpassed in terms of size by any offerings from its rivals. However, the quality of the network connection in your area will ultimately determine what network to opt for. It is essential to always find a way to get value for money, especially given all that is being said about the state of the economy. This piece might sound biased towards Glo data plans, but it is the reality. As a matter of fact, I currently do not use any of the Nigerian network’s plans because I prefer the 100% recharge bonus I’m getting from Etisalat. ;D

[Source 1] [Source 2] [Source 3] [Source 4]

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The Contenders

The contenders for the best data plan in Nigeria for Android devices will be chosen one each from all four mobile networks, namely: Airtel, Etisalat, Glo and MTN. The maximum price threshold for selecting these cheapest data plans in Nigeria is fixed at N2,500. These plan can be used at any time and have 30-day validity, with the highest cost per MB at slight less than N1. So, without further ado, let’s get down to a comparison of the contenders for the crown of the best data plan in Nigeria for Android and other devices.

Airtel Android 2.0 (2GB) Plan – For N2,000, you can get an allocation of 2 GB on Airtel network for use on your Android device. It is not clear if you will be able to use this data plan on non-Android devices. Enter and send the USSD code *437# on your phone to subscribe to this data plan.

MTN 4.5GB Night Plan – This plan, in description, is actually designed for night browsing. However, do not be deceived by the description, as this plan can be used round the clock, 24/7. The data allocation of 4.5 GB is split into two: 1.5 GB and 3 GB. The 1.5GB is usable during the day, while the 3GB portion can only be used between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. To subscribe, you can use the USSD *120# or send 120 to 131.

Etisalat 1GB or 2GB Plan – After offering no more than 500 MB for N2,000 and 200 MB for N1,000 for a long time, Etisalat finally introduced few months back a N2,000 plan that offers an impressive 2 GB! As if that was not enough, the company soon also upgraded the data allowance for the N1,000 plan to 1 GB. The USSD codes *229*2*7# and *229*2*8# can be used to subscribe to the 1GB and 2GB plans respectively. Update (04/01/2016) – If you’re unable to subscribe for the 1K plan using the provided code, you can use *929*9# instead.

Glo 4.5GB Plan – This data plan offers you a whopping 4.5GB data allocation, which you can blaze at any time of the day. You can use the data allocation on your Android smartphone or tablet and on other types of devices, including on your laptop. To subscribe, you simply need to press and send the USSD code *127*58# with at least N2,500 airtime on your line and you are on!

The Winner

I guess the winner is obvious already. At a per-MB rate of about 50 kobo, the Glo 4.5GB plan is the best data plan in Nigeria for Android and other devices. The 4.5GB plan from MTN is offered at the same rate, but it is undone by the fact that it is split between day and night – you will not be able to browse during the day, unless at out-of-bundle rate of 5 kobo per kilobyte (KB), once you exhaust the day allocation of 1.5 GB.

Hope this post helps you get more value for money with best data plan in Nigeria when subscribing for data on your Android and other mobile devices as well as on a PC or laptop.

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