MTN’s 2025 short‑term data update: full list of 2‑day and 3‑day bundles, prices, SMS/USSD codes, and cost‑per‑MB rankings. See why the 2 GB pack leads, how to buy via app, MoMo, or SmartSMSSolutions, and when weekly plans beat short‑term deals.
Stuck between a single‑day top‑up and a full‑week commitment? MTN’s short‑term bundles—good for two or three consecutive days—hit a sweet spot of price and flexibility. They are particularly useful when payday is a few sunsets away, you need data just for a quick weekend trip, or you want a stop‑gap solution before your monthly bundle renews. This in‑depth guide covers every MTN 2‑day and 3‑day option in 2025, complete with cost‑per‑MB analysis, activation shortcuts, and buying tips for USSD, SMS, MyMTN NG, MoMo, and third‑party resellers such as SmartSMSSolutions.
Why Choose a 2‑Day or 3‑Day Data Bundle?
Bridging short gaps
A two‑day bundle fills that awkward window between your expiring monthly plan and the salary credit alert you’re expecting. Rather than over‑paying for daily data each morning, one short‑term pack handles the entire interim.
Weekend browsing and streaming
If you burn through media only on Saturday and Sunday, the 48‑hour validity aligns nicely with leisure time. You avoid the higher ₦/MB of daily plans while side‑stepping the sunk cost of an under‑used weekly bundle.
Moderate data consumption
For many users, 1–1.5 GB per day covers routine social media, emails, a couple of YouTube clips in 480p, and light work tasks. The 2‑day range delivers that volume at a sensible price point.
Ease of cost tracking
Short‑term validity makes it simple to allocate an exact figure in a household or project budget. You know you’re paying ₦500 or ₦600—no surprises.
Complete List of MTN 2‑Day and 3‑Day Data Plans (2025)
The tables below list all MTN short‑term bundles currently on offer, sorted by validity. Cost‑per‑MB is based on MTN’s commercial definition of 1 GB = 1,000 MB.
2‑Day Plans
Plan |
Volume |
Cost / MB (₦) |
Validity |
SMS to 312 |
USSD Code |
Price (₦) |
2.5 GB (2‑Day) |
2.5 GB |
0.2400 |
2 days |
146 |
*312*146# |
600 |
2 GB (2‑Day) |
2 GB |
0.2500 |
2 days |
154 |
*312*154# |
500 |
3 GB (2‑Day) |
3 GB |
0.2667 |
2 days |
180 |
*312*180# |
800 |
3‑Day Plan
Plan |
Volume |
Cost / MB (₦) |
Validity |
SMS to 312 |
USSD Code |
Price (₦) |
200 MB (3‑Day) |
200 MB |
1.0000 |
3 days |
113 |
*312*113# |
200 |
Where are the 1.5 GB or 3.2 GB packs?
MTN retired those configurations in late‑2024. Only the four bundles above remain live as of April 2025. Dial *312*5# to confirm current offers on your SIM.
Best Picks Based on Cost Per MB
Best value – 2 GB (2‑Day)
- Price: ₦500
- Cost / MB: ₦0.2500
- Why: Lowest cash outlay among the sub‑₦0.27 plans, full USSD and SMS support (no app needed).
Runner‑up – 2.5 GB (2‑Day)
- Price: ₦600
- Cost / MB: ₦0.2400
- Why: You pay an extra ₦100 to shave ₦0.01 off each MB and get half a gig more. Great for video lovers.
Least value – 200 MB (3‑Day)
- Price: ₦200
- Cost / MB: ₦1.0000
- Why: Four times the effective rate of the 2.5 GB option. Only consider it when you need a minimal data trickle over three days (e.g., WhatsApp text‑only).
How to Activate MTN 2‑Day and 3‑Day Data Bundles
Via SMS or USSD
Plan |
SMS Command |
USSD Shortcut |
2.5 GB (2‑Day) |
Text 146 to 312 |
*312*146# |
2 GB (2‑Day) |
Text 154 to 312 |
*312*154# |
3 GB (2‑Day) |
Text 180 to 312 |
*312*180# |
200 MB (3‑Day) |
Text 113 to 312 |
*312*113# |
SMS activations work from any phone—smart or feature—so long as you have at least the bundle cost plus about ₦4 for VAT. USSD is marginally faster and confirms success on the same screen.
Via MyMTN NG App
- Launch MyMTN NG.
- Tap Buy Data > 2‑Day/3‑Day.
- Pick your bundle, then choose airtime, MoMo, or a saved debit card.
- Wait for the confirmation pop‑up and the data counter refresh.
Via MoMo
MoMo offers identical bundle pricing—no “discount” gimmicks—but deducts the fee from your wallet. Navigate to Data Bundles > MTN > 2‑Day/3‑Day, tap your option, enter wallet PIN, done.
Buy Online at SmartSMSSolutions
If you top up other people’s numbers frequently, SmartSMSSolutions is a handy reseller:
- Visit the site and sign in.
- Click Data > MTN > 2‑Day/3‑Day.
- Enter the MTN line, fund the order with wallet, card, or bank transfer.
- The data arrives in seconds and you receive both on‑site and SMS receipts.
When Should You Choose a 2‑Day or 3‑Day Bundle?
- Weekend plans
- Two‑day validity from Saturday morning to Monday sunrise covers live football streams, Netflix binges, or a batch of remote‑work tasks on Sunday evening.
- End‑of‑month pinch
- When your monthly allocation expires on the 28th, buying a ₦500 or ₦600 bridge gets you to payday without the sunk cost of a ₦1,500 weekly plan.
- Casual browsing
- If you rarely exceed 700 MB per day, these bundles prevent data wastage that often occurs with larger weekly or monthly packs.
- Travel hotspots
- Roaming domestically? Rather than swapping a SIM or hunting public Wi‑Fi, a 2‑day bundle on your primary number ensures continuity across hotel check‑ins or interstate road trips.
Comparing MTN’s Short‑Term Plans
Plan Type |
Volume |
Cost / MB (₦) |
Total Price (₦) |
Best For |
1 GB Daily |
1 GB |
0.2000 |
200 |
One‑day light usage, hotspot emergencies |
2.5 GB (2‑Day) |
2.5 GB |
0.2400 |
600 |
Two‑day moderate streaming and browsing |
2 GB (2‑Day) |
2 GB |
0.2500 |
500 |
Social media and email over 48 hrs |
3 GB (2‑Day) |
3 GB |
0.2667 |
800 |
Short‑term heavy usage (gaming, HD video) |
5 GB Weekly |
5 GB |
0.3000 |
1,500 |
Continuous work or study beyond three days |
Takeaway: If you anticipate needing data on day three or later, the 5 GB weekly plan breaks even. Anything less than that, the 2‑day range wins on cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my 2‑day plan early?
Yes. You can re‑subscribe before expiry, and any residual data may roll over—provided you buy the same bundle category and do so before the old pack lapses.
Can I share or gift these plans?
No. MTN locks 2‑day and 3‑day bundles to the originating SIM. Use SME or Data‑Gifting products for shareable data.
What happens if my data expires before I finish it?
Unused megabytes vanish at 23:59 on the second or third day, regardless of remaining balance. There is no grace period.
Do these bundles include night‑time bonus data?
Unlike many weekly or monthly packs, the short‑term range carries no nighttime streaming allowance—what you buy is exactly what you can use, 24/7.
Can I stack 2‑day bundles to cover a week?
Technically yes, but three consecutive 2‑day purchases (₦1,500–₦1,800 for 6–7.5 GB) cost more per MB than the dedicated 5 GB weekly pack at ₦1,500.
Final Thoughts
MTN’s 2‑day and 3‑day offerings are the Goldilocks of Nigerian prepaid data—neither too small nor too long. The 2 GB 2‑Day Plan at ₦500 edges out rivals when you need pure SMS/USSD convenience, while the 2.5 GB 2‑Day Plan at ₦600 squeezes out a cheaper cost per MB for users comfortable spending the extra ₦100.
For anything beyond three days, step up to weekly bundles to avoid over‑paying. Conversely, if your needs are limited to a single afternoon, the 1 GB daily plan remains the quick‑hit champ. As always, weigh volume, validity, and activation ease before committing airtime or card funds. With careful selection—plus a pinch of self‑control when those YouTube autoplay temptations strike—you can keep both your data meter and your wallet in healthy, predictable shape.