How to Buy Cheap Data on MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile in Nigeria (2025 Guide)

You can buy cheap data on MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9Mobile using the (*312#) USSD code, their mobile app, their website, or the Cardtonic app. I remember the good old days when data consumption was minimal. With about 1GB of data balance, one could navigate popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. They just didn’t consume much data at the time. 

But today, things have changed; we now have apps with rich media features, higher-resolution images, and more video content. 1GB simply cannot get you that far. 

As if that weren’t enough, network providers on February 11th, 2025, hiked data prices by 200%. Since then, I have kept an eye out for cheaper options. 

If you still want to enjoy your favourite apps without burning through your wallet, you’ll need to get creative. Stick with me because in this piece, I’ll show you where and how to buy cheap data on MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile.

Where to Buy Cheap Data Bundles In Nigeria

You can buy cheap data bundles from Cardtonic or directly from the network providers—MTN, Airtel, GLO, or 9Mobile. But let me be honest, I know where I’m clicking first.

Cardtonic just makes life easier. Instead of jumping from one provider’s app to another, everything is laid out in one place. I can compare prices, sort out data or airtime for myself (or someone else), and complete payment without stress—all inside one app.

Oh, and the best part? You get up to 5% cashback every time you buy data. Who doesn’t like small change back?

These are some of my go-to plans on Cardtonic:

i. ₦11,000 for 36GB on MTN

ii. ₦10,000 for 35GB on Airtel

iii. ₦10,000 for 40GB on Glo

iv. ₦10,000 for 50GB on 9Mobile

All valid for 30 days, and honestly, that 50GB for 10k on 9Mobile always makes me pause and smile.

Now, if you’d rather use the network directly, that’s fine too. You can buy data through their USSD codes, website, or app—as long as your SIM is linked to the network’s mobile app.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Cardtonic

To buy cheap data bundles on Cardtonic, log into the app, tap “Bill Payment,” and choose “Mobile Data.” Select a network provider, choose a data plan, enter your phone number, tap “Purchase,” and confirm the bill summary. Then, follow the prompts to complete.

1. First, log in to the Cardtonic app or sign up if you don’t have an account.

2. Tap “Bill Payment.”

3. Choose “Mobile Data.”

4. Select a network provider, let’s say MTN.

5. Choose a data plan.

6. Enter your phone number.

7. Tap “Purchase.”

8. Confirm the Bill Summary and tap “Purchase” again.

9. Follow the prompt to complete.

Need a visual guide? Watch the step-by-step video here:

How to Buy Cheap Data on MTN

You can buy cheap data bundles on MTN via USSD, the website, the mobile app, or the Cardtonic app.

How to Buy Cheap Data on MTN via USSD:

1. Dial *312#.

2. Follow the prompts and choose your preferred data plan to complete the purchase.

How to Buy Cheap Data on MTN via the MTN Mobile App: 

Sign in to the app, tap “Buy Data” on the dashboard, then tap “Data Bundles.” Choose your desired plan and tap “Buy Now.” Select your preferred payment option, then follow the prompts to complete the transaction.

1. Sign in to the app or download the MTNNG app from the Play Store or App Store.

2. On the dashboard, tap “Buy Data.”

3. Select “Data Bundles” from the options.

4. Choose your desired plan from the daily, weekly, or monthly options, then tap “Buy Now.”

5. Select your preferred payment option: airtime, MoMo PSB, bank transfer, card or USSD code.

6. Follow the prompts to complete the transaction.

How to Buy Cheap Data on MTN via the MTN Website:

1. Visit https://www.mtn.ng/data/data-plans.

2. Choose your preferred bundle.

3. Follow the prompts to complete the purchase.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Airtel

You can buy cheap data bundles on Airtel via the website, USSD, mobile app, or the Cardtonic platform.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Airtel via USSD:

1. Dial *312#.

2. Follow the prompts to complete the purchase.

The payment will be deducted from your airtime account.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Airtel via the Airtel Mobile App: 

Sign in to the app and tap “Buy Bundles.” Key in the details, choose a suitable plan, and select a payment option. Then tap “Proceed” and then “Confirm” to complete your purchase.

1. Sign in to the app or download the Airtel app from the Play Store or App Store.

2. Tap “Buy Bundles.”

3. Enter Recipient Name or Number.

3. Choose from the various options. Scroll to discover daily, weekly, or monthly plans.

4. Select a payment option: airtime or card.

5. Tap “Proceed,” then tap “Confirm” (if you’re paying with airtime) to complete your purchase.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Airtel via the Airtel Website:

1. Visit https://www.airtel.com.ng/data/data_offers/data_plans.

2. Choose your desired data bundle and tap “Buy Now.”

3. Follow the promps to complete the purchase.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Glo

You can buy cheap data bundles on Glo via USSD, the Glo website, the mobile app, or the Cardtonic app.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Glo via USSD:

1. Dial *312#.

2. Choose from the available bundles.

3. Follow the prompt to complete the purchase.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Glo via the Glo Cafe Mobile App: 

Sign in to the Glo app. Tap “Buy Data”  and choose your preferred plan. Then select a preferred payment method. Follow the prompt to complete the purchase.

1. Sign in or download the Glo app from the Play Store or App Store.

2. Tap “Buy data.”

3. Choose from available plans, i.e., daily, weekly, or monthly plans.

4. Tap on the preferred plan.

5. Choose a preferred payment method, i.e., airtime or card.

6. Follow the prompt to complete the purchase.

How to Buy Cheap Data on Glo via the Glo Website:

1. Visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/personal/data/data-plans.

2. Select your preferred data plan.

3. Follow the prompt to complete the purchase.

How to Buy Cheap Data on 9Mobile

You can buy cheap data bundles on 9Mobile via its online portal, USSD, or the 9Mobile app.

How to Buy Cheap Data on 9Mobile via USSD:

1. To buy cheap data bundles via USSD, dial *312 #.

2. Choose from the available bundles.

3. Follow the prompt to complete.

How to Buy Cheap Data on 9Mobile via the 9Mobile App:

1. Sign in or download the Ig9ite app from the Play Store or App Store.

2. Select “Buy data.”

3. Choose your preferred data bundle.

4. Follow the prompts to complete the purchase.

How to Buy Cheap Data on 9Mobile via the 9Mobile Website: 

1. Visit https://9mobile.com.ng/data.

2. Select a data plan.

3. Follow the prompts to complete the purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions Related About Buying Cheap Data Online

1. Which Network has the Cheapest Data Plan in Nigeria?

The Globacom network (Glo) has one of the cheapest data plans in Nigeria. A daily plan of ₦50 gives you 50MB of data. With ₦500, you get 1.5GB for 7 days. There’s also a ₦1000 plan that gives 2.6GB for 30 days—though 1.5GB of that is allocated for night use only.

2. How Much is the MTN 1GB Data?

MTN does have a daily plan of ₦350 for 1GB valid for one day and a ₦800 weekly plan for the same 1GB. You can pay using your current airtime balance, or borrow airtime and pay on your next recharge

3. How to Get 1GB on Glo?

Glo offers 1.1GB for ₦750, which is valid for 14 days. You can get it using USSD, the Glo website, the mobile app, or the Cardtonic app.

4. How Can I Get 2 GB on Airtel?

Airtel has a general plan of 2GB (plus a 2GB bonus), which costs ₦750, and a 1GB (plus a 1GB bonus) plan for ₦500. These plans can be purchased using a USSD code. Be sure to check your airtime balance to confirm that you have enough funds to cover the purchase. 

5. How Much is 1.5 GB on 9Mobile?

9Mobile currently offers a 1.5GB plan for ₦400, valid for one day. There’s also a ₦1000 option for 1.5GB, valid for one week.

6. What is the Best App to Buy Cheap Data in Nigeria?

Depending on the network, you can buy cheap data on the MTN mobile app, the GLO app, the Airtel app, or the 9Mobile app, respectively.

Besides the network providers, other top Nigerian mobile apps, like Cardtonic let you buy data conveniently, compare rates across networks, and even get up to 5% cashback on your purchases.

Conclusion

Data prices in Nigeria keep rising, but there are still ways to save. You can buy cheap bundles on MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile using USSD, their apps, or websites.

But if you want something faster and easier, I recommend using Cardtonic. You can compare data prices across all networks, pay directly from your balance, and get up to 5% cashback on every purchase. It’s simple, smooth, and definitely worth trying.