9mobile’s free‑incoming roaming in the UK, UAE, South Africa and seven more destinations survived the 50 % tariff hike. Compare it with MTN TravelPass, Airtel SmartRoam and Glo bundles, learn the USSD codes and save a fortune on your next trip.

When the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) finalised a 50 % tariff adjustment on voice, SMS and data—fully effective from 31 March 2025—domestic call costs shot up . International roaming, already pricey thanks to forex volatility, felt even harsher. Yet, 9mobile quietly kept one of its most generous perks alive: free incoming calls on select foreign networks once you recharge at least ₦5 000 in any calendar month .

In this guide you’ll discover:

• Exactly which ten countries and networks unlock free incoming calls
• The new USSD activation steps for 2025
• Hidden caveats (fair‑use caps, partner network switches)
• Dual‑SIM tactics to pair 9mobile’s bonus with cheaper data from rivals
• A head‑to‑head comparison with MTN TravelPass, Airtel SmartRoam and Glo roaming packs
• How to top up via SmartSMSSolutions without wrestling Nigerian USSD menus from abroad

By the end, you’ll pick the cheapest roaming mix for your travel pattern—and avoid “bill shock” when you land back home.

The 2025 Tariff Hike & Its Ripple Effect On Roaming

Take‑away: Even if operators kept dollar‑denominated roaming fees flat, naira devaluation alone would add ~40 % to your next hotel‑lobby call. That’s why perks like 9mobile’s free‑incoming pool suddenly matter far more in 2025.

How 9mobile’s Free‑Incoming Roaming Works

Eligibility

• Recharge at least ₦5 000 (cumulative) on any 9mobile prepaid line within the current month.
• Be on one of these plans: MoreBusiness 2.0 bundles , MoreBusiness Combopak, ComboBasic/Value/Premier/Black , or 9mobile default prepaid.
• Roam on one of 21 partner networks across 10 countries .

Fair‑Use Policy: 9mobile caps free incoming to 100 minutes per calendar month . Beyond that, local partner rate applies (≈ ₦50–₦80/min).

Partner Countries & Networks (May 2025)

Tip: If your phone auto‑selects a non‑partner network, manually switch in Settings → Network Operators to stay within the free‑incoming zone.

Activation Steps

1. Before Departure
• Dial *200*1*1# → select Roaming Services → Activate Roaming (zero charge).
• Receive SMS: “Roaming Enabled.”
2. Qualify for Free Incoming
• Ensure total recharges in current month ≥ ₦5 000. Dial *310# to check.
3. On Arrival
• Turn on phone → it searches for networks.
• Connect to a partner network (see table).
• SMS appears: “Welcome to France! Incoming calls FREE up to 100 min. Outgoing N190/min.”

• MTN Voice Tariffs 2025: The Definitive Guide To Nigeria’s Cheapest Call Rates
• MTN Nigeria Call Tariffs 2025: The Definitive Post-Hike Guide For Every Type Of User
• From “Jara” to Reality: Why Nigeria’s Data and Airtime Space Looks Different in 2025 (A Case in Point for MTN BetaTalk)

Dual‑SIM Hacks: Stretching The Perk Further

With 74 % of Nigerian smartphone users carrying dual‑SIM devices , savvy travellers now run 9mobile in SIM1 for free incoming and drop a data‑strong SIM (or eSIM) in SIM2.

WhatsApp / FaceTime Tip: Use data SIM for outbound calls. Answer urgent incoming on 9mobile—free—then switch the conversation to data apps within a minute to avoid high outgoing rates.

How 9mobile Compares With Rival Free‑Incoming Offers

Key Insights

• 9mobile’s lower ₦5 000 trigger beats Airtel’s ₦10 000 and MTN’s pay‑per‑day pass if you stay ≥ 5 days abroad.
• More countries than Glo’s free‑weekend tie‑ups but far fewer than MTN’s 50+ TravelPass footprint—trade coverage for cheaper threshold.
• Outgoing calls are still pricey on any network; a local data SIM plus VoIP remains king.

The ‘Super 50 Offer’ & Other 9mobile Roaming Bundles

Beyond free incoming, 9mobile runs promo packs:

• MTN Voice Tariffs 2025: The Definitive Guide To Nigeria’s Cheapest Call Rates
• MTN Nigeria Call Tariffs 2025: The Definitive Post-Hike Guide For Every Type Of User
• From “Jara” to Reality: Why Nigeria’s Data and Airtime Space Looks Different in 2025 (A Case in Point for MTN BetaTalk)

Seven Money‑Saving Hacks For Roaming In 2025

1. Set Call Forwarding: If you won’t need to answer, forward to voicemail to dodge accidental outgoing.
2. Leverage VoLTE & Wi‑Fi Calling: When on hotel Wi‑Fi, outgoing voice rides data—not roaming rack rate.
3. UseRoaming Spend Limits: Dial *200*1*2# to cap spend (₦10 k default).
4. Buy Local eSIM: In eSIM‑ready phones, add a local data profile; no need to open SIM tray.
5. Monitor Usage Frequently: *323# shows roaming data—avoid bill shock.
6. Switch Off Auto‑Updates: Background app sync can gulp your data cap in minutes.
7. Top‑Up Through SmartSMSSolutions:
• Visit xmx1.net/buyairtime, pick 9mobile, fund by card or transfer, airtime lands instantly—no roaming USSD lag.

SmartSMSSolutions charges no service fee; card processors may levy minor FX charges depending on issuer.

USSD Walkthrough—Roaming Set‑Up, Spend Caps & Deactivation

Tip: Always set a spend limit—hotel Wi‑Fi drops can push your phone back onto mobile data without notice.

Roaming FAQs

Q1. I lost my 9mobile SIM abroad—how do I block it?
Dial the international help‑line (+234‑809‑000‑0200) from any phone or tweet @9mobileng; your line is barred within 15 minutes pending SIM swap at home.

Q2. Will Nigerian bank OTPs still arrive on free‑incoming?
Yes—OTP SMS are classed as inbound; they count toward your 100‑minute/100‑SMS fair‑use pool and remain free.

Q3. Does VAT apply to roaming charges?
No—roaming is denominated in foreign currency and converted to naira; local VAT is not added.

Q4. My phone latched onto a non‑partner network; can I claim free incoming retroactively?
No. Only calls received while latched to a partner network are zero‑rated. Manually select the correct operator in ‘Network Settings’.

Q5. What if my free‑incoming cap exhausts halfway through a call?
The call continues but the remainder is billed at the partner’s standard inbound rate (≈ ₦55–₦80 / min).

• MTN Voice Tariffs 2025: The Definitive Guide To Nigeria’s Cheapest Call Rates
• MTN Nigeria Call Tariffs 2025: The Definitive Post-Hike Guide For Every Type Of User
• From “Jara” to Reality: Why Nigeria’s Data and Airtime Space Looks Different in 2025 (A Case in Point for MTN BetaTalk)

When 9mobile Wins—And When Rivals Do

Conclusion—Your 2025 Roaming Playbook

• *For business flyers to theUK, UAE, South Africa, Spain, Egypt, France, Germany, Turkey, Kenya or Saudi Arabia, 9mobile’s₦5 000 recharge trigger plus 100 minutes free incoming remains unbeatable—especially after the March 2025 domestic tariff surge.
• Heavy data globe‑trotters crossing multiple borders may still save more with MTN’s TravelPass or swapping in a local eSIM; 9mobile’s outgoing and data rates abroad are above market average.
• Short‑haul West‑African traders can exploit Glo’s weekend roam‑free pact —it beats every other Nigerian network for those three neighbouring markets.

Bottom line: Keep your main 9mobile line active for OTPs and free‑incoming, drop a data‑first SIM (local or MTN TravelPass) in the second slot, and always top up via SmartSMSSolutions to dodge USSD glitches and bank FX fees. Master these moves and the next airfare—not your phone bill—will be your biggest travel cost in 2025.

Stay smart, stay connected—happy roaming!