Compare MTN’s Pulse Nightlife (500 MB @ ₦75, up to 2 GB nightly) with standard PAYG after midnight. See activation codes, minute maths, hidden limits, and how a SmartSMSSolutions 1–2 % discount funds extra bundles. FAQ, tips and conclusion included.
Night downloads—from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.—now account for 34 % of MTN’s total data traffic. PAYG browsing costs ₦3.07/MB, so a 1-GB YouTube binge soaks up ₦3 070. Pulse Nightlife cuts that same gig to ₦150 (two 500 MB bundles). For voice, no MTN plan offers an official night discount; you pay your plan’s flat rate—23 k/s on Pulse or 30 k/s on generic PAYG.
Pulse Nightlife Bundle—Specs & Codes
|
Offer |
Price |
Data |
Effective ₦/MB |
Valid Hours |
Daily Cap |
Activation |
|
Nightlife |
₦75 |
500 MB |
₦0.15 |
23:00 – 06:00 |
2 GB/day (4 × 500 MB) |
SMS NT2 → 312 or dial 4064# |
Balance: *406*4*3# or the universal *310#.
Migration: buying the bundle auto-moves you to Pulse (₦0 fee) if you’re on another plan.
Generic PAYG After Dark—No Mercy
|
Metric |
Charge |
|
Data |
₦3.07/MB (₦3 073/GB) |
|
Calls |
30 k/s (₦18/min) on every prepaid plan except Pulse (23 k/s) and mPulse (20 k/s) |
|
SMS |
₦6 |
PAYG offers no night discount, no rollover, and no bonus.
Cost Show-Down: Real-World Examples
|
User |
23:00–06:00 Data Need |
Pulse Nightlife Cost |
Generic PAYG Cost |
Saving |
|
Student downloads 1 GB MOOCs |
2 × 500 MB = ₦150 |
₦3 073 |
95 % |
|
|
TikTok creator uploads 2 GB weekly |
4 × 500 MB/night × 4 nights = ₦1 200 |
₦12 292 |
₦11 092 |
|
|
Night-shift agent, 120 min calls + 200 MB CRM |
Calls: ₦1 656 (Pulse 23 k/s) + Data: ₦75 = ₦1 731 |
Calls: ₦2 160 + Data: ₦614 = ₦2 774 |
₦1 043 |
Hidden Limits & Gotchas
|
Limitation |
Detail |
Mitigation |
|
No rollover |
Unused MB wiped at 06:00 |
Buy only what you’ll consume |
|
Daily 2-GB ceiling |
Max 4 bundles nightly |
Schedule big downloads across nights |
|
Bundle doesn’t cover voice |
Calls billed 23 k/s |
Use WhatsApp voice/video if Wi-Fi available |
|
Auto-migration to Pulse |
Free but starts 30-day clock for next free switch |
Stay on Pulse a month before hopping again |
Speed & Stability Tips
- Queue files in advance – Use YouTube “Save Offline” or download-manager scheduling.
- Disable app updates – Play Store → Auto-update → Wi-Fi only.
- Batch uploads – Creators can compress videos (H.265) before the window.
- Turn off background sync – Prevent daylight apps eating night data.
Discount Booster: SmartSMSSolutions 1–2 %
- Create wallet online/app.
- Fund via transfer, USSD, or card.
- Buy ₦500 airtime—costs ₦490–₦495.
- Send NT2 to 312 four times for the full 2 GB; net saving ≈ ₦5–₦10—good for another 30–60 MB tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
|
Q |
A |
|
Can non-Pulse users buy Nightlife? |
Yes—but you’ll be migrated to Pulse (free). |
|
Is there a smaller 250 MB Nightlife? |
Not anymore; only 500 MB blocks in 2025. |
|
Does VPN usage affect the window? |
No—VPN traffic still counts, but data stops at 06:01. |
|
Can I stack Nightlife and XtraData? |
Yes; whichever expires first consumes first. |
|
How do I cancel Nightlife auto-renew? |
No auto-renew exists; you must rebuy daily. |
Conclusion: Pulse Wins The Night—If You Plan Around The Clock
MTN’s Pulse Nightlife slashes midnight data to
₦0.15/MB
—a 95 % cut versus generic PAYG. Pair it with Pulse’s cheap 23 k/s calls, respect the 2 GB nightly limit, and you’ll slash your after-dark spend to pocket-change. Fund each bundle through SmartSMSSolutions to carve off another 1–2 %, and your night-owl routine costs less than a breakfast snack.