If you have tried buying a data bundle or recharging your line with the old USSD code for your mobile network, you would most certainly realise that you were directed to use another code. This is because there are now new USSD Codes for mobile operators in Nigeria.
Telecommunications operators in the country have adopted the Nigerian Communications Commission’s approval of uniform Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, USSD codes, for all mobile networks in the Country.
We had earlier reported that following the regulatory modernisation initiative of the NCC, network operators in Nigeria, under the umbrella of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), announced the commencement of harmonised short codes across all networks.
To put it in clear perspective, for instance, as an MTN subscriber, you can no longer recharge your line using the regular MTN codes *555# and *556#. The same is the case for Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile.
Additionally, it implies that any mobile network provider—whether it be MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9Mobile, or another—that refuses to migrate will be unable to provide services to its customers. Also, it indicates that all mobile network services will utilise a single customer support number, as well as a single code for credit recharge and a code for checking data balances.
As a result, MTN, Airtel, GLO, and 9mobile have started notifying their millions of customers to use the new transaction codes. This article gives an update on the new harmonised USSD codes for Nigeria’s four major mobile networks: MTN, Airtel, GLO and 9Mobile.
MTN NG
If you use MTN, you might have observed that *556# and its variants are no longer functioning. The same applies to the data code, which was once *131#. These are the new codes.
- For airtime recharge, the new code is *311* Voucher PIN #
- To check MTN airtime balance, the new code is *310#
- To borrow airtime, dial *303#
- To buy data, dial *312#
- To share data, dial *321#
- To check your data balance, dial *323#
- For MTN Value-added Services, dial *305#
- To link your NIN to your MTN line, dial *996#
To check your MTN phone number,
- Dial *123#. Choose Account Info or 1.
- From the new menu, choose My Number, and your number will be displayed in the pop-up on your screen.
- You can also just dial *123*1*1# for a straightforward path.
Airtel NG
Airtel users will also need to let the old *124# for checking balance go. The new USSD codes are:
- For airtime recharge, the new code is *311* Voucher PIN #
- To check Airtel’s airtime balance, the new code is *310#
- To borrow airtime, dial *303#
- To buy data, dial *312#
- To share data, dial *321#
- To check your data balance, dial *323#
- For Airtel Value-added Services, dial *305#
- To link your NIN to your Airtel line, dial *996#
Glo NG
- For GLO airtime recharge, the new code is *311* Voucher PIN #
- To check GLO airtime balance, the new code is *310#
- To borrow airtime, dial *303#
- To buy data, dial *312#
- To share data, dial *321#
- To check your data balance, dial *323#
- For GLO Value-added Services, dial *305#
- To link your NIN to your GLO line, dial *996#
9Mobile
- For airtime recharge, the new code is *311* Voucher PIN #
- To check 9Mobile airtime balance, the new code is *310#
- To borrow airtime, dial *303#
- To buy data, dial *312#
- To share data, dial *321#
- To check your data balance, dial *323#
- For 9Mobile Value-added Services, dial *305#
- To link your NIN to your 9Mobile line, dial *996#
What USSD code remains unchanged
Note: If you try any of these codes and they do not work, you may have to try the old ones, as some network providers have yet to adopt the new USSD codes fully. It is also important to note that the commission did not change some codes and their functions; these codes are
- 996 now verifies subscriber identity module (SIM) registration or NIN-SIM linkage.
- 2442 is retained for Do-Not-Disturb (DND) unsolicited messaging complaint management.
- 3232 is also retained for porting services, otherwise called mobile number portability
