How to Share Mobile Data on MTN, Airtel, Glo & 9Mobile in Nigeria (2026 Guide)
Nigeria is one of Africa's most connected nations and mobile data is the backbone of that connectivity. With over 150 million mobile connections and more than 995,000 terabytes of data consumed every single month, it's clear that staying connected isn't a luxury here — it's a lifeline.
And yet, data runs out at the worst possible times. Knowing how to share mobile data in Nigeria or buy it for someone quickly can genuinely save the day.
Whether you're on MTN, Airtel, Glo, or T2 Mobile (formerly 9Mobile), you can transfer data to a loved one in seconds using a USSD code, SMS, or a network app. And if your loved one is on a different network — or you'd rather buy them their own bundle, FlipEx makes that effortless too.
Let's get into it.
How to Share Data on MTN in Nigeria
MTN is Nigeria's largest mobile network, holding over 51% of the country's mobile subscriptions. If you or your loved one is on MTN, you can share data using three methods: USSD code, SMS, or the myMTN NG app.
How to Share Data on MTN via USSD Code
The fastest way to share data on MTN is via the USSD code. Simply dial:
*312*RecipientNumber*Amount#
For example, to send 500MB to 08012345678, dial: *312*08012345678*500#
Things to note:
- You must keep at least 100MB in your balance after the transfer.
- You can only send specific amounts: 100MB, 200MB, 500MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, or 5GB.
- The daily MTN data sharing limit is 5GB.
How to Share Data on MTN via SMS
To share MTN data via SMS, type: Transfer [RecipientNumber] [Amount] and send to 312.
Example: Transfer 08012345678 500 — then send to 312. You'll get a confirmation SMS once the transfer goes through.
How to Share Data on MTN via the myMTN NG App
- Download the myMTN NG app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Log in with your MTN number.
- Tap "Share" from the quick access menu at the bottom of the screen.
- Select "Share Now" under Share Data.
- Enter the recipient's MTN number and choose the data amount.
- Tap "Share" to complete the transfer.
How to Share Data on Airtel in Nigeria
Airtel is Nigeria's second-largest network, accounting for around 34% of mobile subscriptions. Data sharing on Airtel works in two main ways: sharing from your existing bundle (Me2U) or buying a fresh plan for someone else (Data Gifting). There's also an app option.
How to Share Data on Airtel via Me2U (From Your Existing Bundle)
Dial *312#, select "Gift or Share Data," then choose "Data Me2U." Enter the recipient's Airtel number, enter the amount (up to 200MB per person per day), and confirm with your PIN.
First-time users should set up a 4-digit PIN by selecting "Change PIN" in the menu. You can share with a maximum of two people daily, and the data will expire on the same day as your current bundle.
How to Share Data on Airtel via Data Gifting (Buy a Bundle for Someone Else)
Dial *312#, select "Gift or Share Data," then choose "Data Gifting." Pick the bundle type — daily, weekly, or monthly — enter the recipient's Airtel number, and confirm. The cost is deducted from your airtime balance, and the recipient gets their own independent plan with its own validity period.
How to Share Data on Airtel via the My Airtel Africa App
- Download the My Airtel Africa App from Google Play or the App Store.
- Log in with your Airtel number.
- Navigate to the "Data Sharing" section.
- Enter the recipient's Airtel number and select the data amount.
- Tap "Confirm" to complete the transfer.
How to Share Data on Glo in Nigeria
Glo subscribers can share mobile data in Nigeria using USSD codes or the Glo Café App.
How to Share Data on Glo via USSD Code — Sharing Your Data Balance
Dial *321#, select option 1 for Share Data, and enter the recipient's Glo number. They'll be able to use your data balance straight away. Note that the shared data will carry the same expiry date as your own bundle.
How to Share Data on Glo via USSD Code — Data Gifting
To buy a fresh Glo data plan for someone else, dial *312#, select option 2 for Gift Data, choose the plan, enter the recipient's Glo number, and reply with "0" to confirm. The cost is deducted from your airtime balance, and the recipient gets their own plan with an independent validity period.
How to Share Data on Glo via the Glo Café App
- Download the Glo Café App from Google Play or the App Store.
- Log in with your Glo number.
- Navigate to the "Share Data" section.
- Enter the recipient's Glo number and the data amount.
- Confirm to complete the transfer.
How to Share Data on T2 Mobile (formerly 9Mobile) in Nigeria
T2 Mobile (formerly 9Mobile) gives subscribers multiple ways to share mobile data: direct data transfer, data gifting, a Family Share plan, and an app.
How to Share Data on T2 (9Mobile) via Data Transfer
Dial *321*2# and follow the prompts, or dial *301# and choose Data Transfer. You'll need your PIN, the recipient's number, and the amount you want to send.
How to set up a T2 Mobile (9Mobile) Transfer PIN: The default PIN is 0000. To change it, dial *247*OldPIN*NewPIN# — for example, *247*0000*1234#.
Limits to note: You must keep at least 50MB in your balance after the transfer. The minimum per transaction is 10MB, the maximum is 200MB, and the daily cap is 1GB.
How to Share Data on T2 Mobile (9Mobile) via Data Gifting
Dial *312*4#, follow the prompts to choose a bundle, and enter the recipient's number. The cost comes from your airtime balance, and the recipient gets their own plan with its own validity.
How to Share Data on T2 Mobile (9Mobile) via Family Share
For a long-term data sharing setup, T2 Mobile’s Family Share plan lets you allocate data to up to five T2 Mobile numbers. Dial *917# to activate, then dial *229*9*PIN*DataQuota*RecipientNumber*3# or *312*5# to share.
How to Share Data on T2 Mobile via the My T2 App
- Download the My T2 App from Google Play or the App Store.
- Log in with your T2 Mobile (formerly 9Mobile) number.
- Navigate to "Data Transfer" or "Share Data".
- Enter the recipient's number and choose the data amount.
- Tap "Confirm" to complete the transfer.
How to Buy Mobile Data for Anyone in Nigeria — Any Network, Any Time
Sometimes sharing from your own balance isn't the best option. Maybe your loved one uses a different network, your own bundle is running low, or you just want to send them a fresh plan as a gift.
That's more common than you'd think. With over 84% of Nigeria's internet traffic generated through mobile devices and data consumption growing month on month, the demand for quick, affordable data top-ups has never been higher. That's exactly where FlipEx comes in.
With the FlipEx app, you can buy cheap data for anyone in Nigeria — on MTN, Airtel, Glo, or T2 Mobile (formerly 9Mobile) instantly and with zero hidden fees. Here's how:
- Log in to your FlipEx account on the app or website.
- Go to the Flip Services section.
- Select Mobile Data.
- Choose the recipient's network (MTN, Airtel, Glo, or T2 Mobile (formerly) 9Mobile).
- Enter their phone number and pick the bundle you want.
- Confirm — and they'll receive it instantly.
You can also use FlipEx to buy airtime for all major networks using the same simple steps — no stress, no hidden charges, instant delivery across iOS, Android, and Web.
New to FlipEx? Sign up today and earn an instant ₦2,000 bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharing Mobile Data in Nigeria
How do I share data on MTN in Nigeria?
Dial *312*RecipientNumber*Amount#. For example, *312*08012345678*500# sends 500MB instantly. You can also share via SMS or the myMTN NG app.
Can I share data from MTN to Airtel?
No — data sharing only works within the same network. MTN data can only go to other MTN numbers, and the same applies to Airtel, Glo, and T2 Mobile (formerly 9Mobile). If your loved one is on a different network, the easiest solution is to buy them a bundle directly through the FlipEx app.
How do I stop sharing data on Glo?
Open the Glo Café App, go to Shared Data, and remove the person's number. They'll immediately lose access to your bundle.
How do I know who is sharing data on MTN?
Call MTN customer care by dialling 300 and ask the support agent to confirm which numbers are currently linked to your data sharing account.
How do I share mobile data without a hotspot?
All four major Nigerian networks — MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9Mobile — let you send data directly to another phone number using USSD codes or their official apps. The data is delivered straight to the recipient's SIM, with no hotspot or battery drain involved.
What is the easiest way to buy data for someone on a different network?
Use the FlipEx app. Go to Bill Payment, select Mobile Data, choose their network, enter their number, pick a bundle, and confirm. The data arrives instantly — no matter which network they're on.
Conclusion
Nigeria's appetite for mobile data is only growing — and staying connected has become as essential as any other daily necessity. Sharing mobile data across MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9Mobile is quick and simple using USSD codes, SMS, or each network's official app.
But when your loved one is on a different network, or you simply want to buy them cheap data without touching your own bundle, FlipEx is the fastest and most reliable option. Buy data for anyone, on any network, instantly — right from the FlipEx app.
Get started on FlipEx today and keep everyone around you connected — in a flip.