Undisputed Mobile Network with Most Affordable Call Rates Across Nigeria, July 2025 Edition
News Article: Prepaid Call and Data Rates of Major Nigerian Telecom Operators Compared
In the competitive landscape of Nigerian telecommunications, the prepaid call and data rates of four major operators – Glo, MTN, Airtel, and 9Mobile – are of great interest to consumers. Here's a breakdown of the current rates as of July 2025.
MTN offers competitive prepaid data starting at ₦250 for 500MB, with higher tiers priced at ₦430 for 1GB, ₦850 for 2GB, ₦1,950 for 5GB, ₦2,850 for 8GB, ₦4,850 for 15GB, and so on. While call rates are typically around ₦7-₦25 per minute, specific rates vary depending on the plan and promotions.
Glo remains competitive with sizeable data plans, starting at ₦900 for 2GB. However, precise current call rates were not found in the available sources.
Airtel has made significant improvements to its data allowances, offering plans like 8GB for ₦3,000 monthly, 15GB for ₦5,000 monthly, and 110GB for ₦20,000 monthly. Additionally, Airtel offers 6GB weekly for ₦1,500. As for call rates, they generally vary around ₦10-₦20 per minute, but exact current rates were not specified.
9Mobile offers data from ₦390 for 500MB, but is viewed as less competitive overall. Exact prepaid call rates were not detailed, but they are reported to be higher than others.
Among all Airtel tariff plans, only OverJara Xtra offers extra value on every recharge. This plan charges 30 k/s (₦18 per minute) for national calls and provides a 200% bonus, split equally between airtime and data, valid for two days.
It's worth noting that 9Mobile's 9Konfam charges 83 k/s for calls and ₦70 per MB for browsing, making it the most expensive pay-as-you-go (PAYG) option. Airtel's SmartGist charges 33.33 k/s for national calls, making it one of the priciest options offered by the network.
Outside of bonus usage, Airtel applies a flat browsing rate of ₦4.6 per MB across all its tariffs, currently the highest airtime-based browsing rate among all mobile networks in Nigeria.
Incidentally, Abdulganiyu Salaudeen, a Lagos-based fashion vendor, reported frequent outages with his 9Mobile line, affecting access to services linked to the SIM.
For the most accurate and up-to-date call rates, it's best to check the individual network’s official USSD codes or websites, as rates often vary by time of day, plan type, and ongoing promotions.
In summary, while MTN offers competitive prepaid data, Glo and Airtel remain competitive with sizeable data packages. Airtel has boosted data allowances significantly, making it a strong contender. 9Mobile offers data from ₦390 but is viewed as less competitive overall. For those seeking extra value on every recharge, Airtel's OverJara Xtra is a worthwhile consideration. However, it's crucial to consider the call rates and network reliability when choosing a plan.
In the competitive mobile industry, finance plays a significant role in the prepaid call and data rates offered by telecom operators, with each operator striving to provide affordable plans. For example, MTN's data plans range from ₦250 to ₦4,850, while Airtel's plans extend to as high as ₦20,000 for data allowances.
When comparing call rates, Glo's exact rates were not found, Airtel's rates were generally around ₦10-₦20 per minute, and 9Mobile's call rates were reported to be higher than others. Thus, consumers must consider both data and call rates when choosing a mobile operator in the Nigerian telecom market.
