MTN Hourly Data Plans & Codes (2025 Guide)

Discover MTN’s hourly data plans in 2025 — 400MB, 5GB, and more. Learn how to subscribe via USSD or SMS, and how much each bundle costs.

What Are MTN Hourly Data Plans?

MTN’s Hourly Data Bundles let you buy data that lasts for just 1 hour, but you get a large volume — ideal for quick streaming, large uploads, or bursty data use.

According to MTN’s website, the available hourly bundles include:

• 400 MB for ₦100
• 5 GB for ₦500
• 10 GB for ₦1,000

How to Subscribe to MTN Hourly Data (USSD & SMS)

USSD Method

• 400 MB (1 hour): Dial *312*126#
• 5 GB (1 hour): Dial *312*127#
• 10 GB (1 hour): Dial *312*128#

Alternatively, you can go to the hourly bundle menu by dialing:
*312*1*10#
From there, choose:
1 → 2 GB plan (or)
2 → 5GB plan (or)
3 → 10GB plan

SMS Method

• For 400 MB: Send 126 to 312
• For 5 GB: Send 127 to 312
• For 10 GB: Send 128 to 312

Things to Know About MTN Hourly Plans

• Validity: Each of these bundles expires after 1 hour, regardless of how much data you use.
• You can buy multiple hourly bundles, and they’ll queue: “the second hour will start counting once the first is used or expires.”
• To check your data balance while using the hourly plan:
  • USSD: Dial *323*4#
  • SMS: Send 2 to 323
• The plan is only valid for use within Nigeria — not usable while roaming abroad.

Pros & When to Use Hourly Bundles

Pros:

• Very high data volume at a fixed short validity — great for streaming or uploads.
• More efficient than slower plans if you need to finish a big task fast.

Best Use Cases:

• Get large files or apps
• Streaming a high-definition video once
• Short data-intensive tasks when you’re sure you’ll consume most of it quickly

Drawbacks to Consider

• If you don’t use all the data within the hour, the unused portion is lost.
• Requires enough airtime in your account to pay for the large bundle upfront.
• Not practical for steady browsing — regular hourly plan may be less cost-efficient than daily or weekly plans if used slowly.

Final Thoughts

MTN’s Hourly Data Plans in 2025 give you a powerful, high-capacity data option for short-term, high-bandwidth needs. By using USSD (*312*126#, *312*127#, *312*128#) or SMS (126 / 127 / 128 → 312), you can easily activate them. But make sure you’ll use most of the data within the 60 minutes — or else you risk wasting it.