Cheapest MTN Call Tariff Plans in Nigeria (2026): Rates, Codes & Best Options

 

If you make a lot of phone calls, choosing the right MTN tariff plan can help you save money on airtime. With several MTN voice options available in Nigeria, the cheapest choice depends on how often you call, whether you prefer pay-as-you-go rates or voice bundles, and whether you qualify for a specific plan.

In this guide, we’ll compare some of the cheapest MTN call options available in Nigeria in 2026, including their call rates, activation or migration codes, benefits, and who each option is best suited for.

Quick Comparison of the Cheapest MTN Call Options

Important: Some of these options have eligibility requirements. For example, mPulse is designed for MTN customers aged 9–15, while XtraSpecial Postpaid is a postpaid plan.

1. MTN Pulse – Best Overall Prepaid Tariff for Calls

If you want a simple prepaid tariff with a relatively low flat call rate, MTN Pulse is one of the strongest options currently available.

MTN lists Pulse at 23 kobo per second, which works out to ₦13.80 per minute. The rate applies to calls across all local networks in Nigeria, meaning you can call MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile and other Nigerian networks at the same rate.

MTN Pulse Call Rate

• ₦0.23 per second
• ₦13.80 per minute
• Calls to all local networks
• No separate voice subscription is required for the basic tariff

How to Migrate to MTN Pulse

You can migrate to MTN Pulse by:

• Dialling *406*1#
• Dialling *123*2*2#
• Sending 406 to 312
• Using the myMTN NG app

Your first migration to Pulse within 30 days is free. A subsequent migration within the same 30-day period costs ₦102.

Who Should Use MTN Pulse?

Pulse is a good choice if you:

• Make regular calls.
• Want a simple flat rate.
• Call people on different Nigerian networks.
• Also want access to special data and nightlife bundles.

Pulse also has a midnight call offer. Eligible customers can make local calls at 13 kobo per second between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. after meeting the required daily spending threshold.

2. MTN mPulse – ₦12 Per Minute

For eligible customers, MTN mPulse offers an even lower standard call rate than Pulse.

MTN currently lists the mPulse voice rate at 20 kobo per second, equivalent to ₦12 per minute, for calls to all Nigerian networks.

However, there is an important catch: mPulse is specifically available to MTN Pre-Teen and Teen customers aged 9–15.

MTN mPulse Call Rate

• ₦0.20 per second
• ₦12 per minute
• Calls to all Nigerian networks

MTN mPulse Code

Eligible customers can migrate by:

Dial: *344*1#

You can also:

Send: mPulse to 344

Migration is free for the first migration within 30 days. Subsequent migrations within the same month attract a ₦102 migration fee.

Who Is mPulse Best For?

mPulse is particularly useful for eligible teenagers because it combines the lower call rate with other benefits such as education bundles, birthday rewards and data offers.

For most adult MTN customers, however, this isn’t an option because of the age eligibility requirement.

3. MTN XtraValue – Best If You Want Call Minutes Plus Data

If you don’t want to spend your entire airtime balance on calls, an MTN XtraValue bundle may offer better value.

XtraValue combines airtime, voice minutes, data and SMS depending on the bundle you choose.

For example, MTN’s current XtraTalk bundles include:

 

The voice bundle rate is ₦10.80 per minute.

For example, the ₦500 XtraTalk bundle gives you 37 minutes, making the effective voice cost approximately ₦13.51 per minute when considering the voice allocation alone.

The larger bundles provide better value, with the ₦5,500 option working out to roughly ₦12.56 per allocated voice minute.

How to Subscribe

For example:

• ₦500: Send V500 to 312
• ₦1,500: Send V1500 to 312
• ₦3,000: Send V3000 to 312
• ₦5,500: Send V5500 to 312

The XtraValue bundles also include data and SMS, making them useful if you regularly need both calls and internet access.

4. MTN Sachet Voice Bundles – Cheapest Option for Heavy Callers

If your main goal is simply to buy cheap call minutes, don’t overlook MTN’s Sachet Bundles.

These are voice bundles that give you actual minutes for national calls rather than simply changing your tariff plan.

MTN currently lists three Sachet voice options:

 

The ₦500 option therefore provides the lowest effective cost per minute among the MTN voice options listed here, at approximately ₦9.09 per minute.

The validity periods are:

• ₦100 bundle — 1 day
• ₦200 bundle — 2 days
• ₦500 bundle — 5 days

These bundles are available to MTN prepaid and postpaid customers.

Why Sachet Bundles May Be Better Than Changing Tariff Plans

If you only need a large number of call minutes occasionally, buying a voice bundle can make more sense than changing your entire tariff plan.

For example, someone who needs 55 minutes of calls over several days could buy the ₦500 Sachet bundle instead of paying the standard pay-as-you-go rate from their main airtime balance.

5. MTN BetaGist – Flat ₦19.80 Per Minute

MTN BetaGist is another prepaid option that allows you to call any Nigerian network at a flat rate.

The current rate is 33 kobo per second, equivalent to ₦19.80 per minute.

At first glance, this makes BetaGist more expensive than Pulse for standard calls.

However, BetaGist has an interesting promotional feature: for every six minutes of outgoing local calls, you get three minutes back.

How to Migrate to BetaGist

You can:

• Send BG to 312
• Dial *123*2*1#
• Dial *405#
• Use the myMTN app
• Use MTN’s Zigi chatbot

Your first migration within 30 days is free, while subsequent migrations within the same month attract a ₦150 migration fee.

Is BetaGist the Cheapest?

Not based on its standard call rate.

Pulse is cheaper at ₦13.80 per minute, while BetaGist costs ₦19.80 per minute before considering its get-back minutes.

BetaGist may nevertheless appeal to people who make longer calls and can benefit from the promotional minutes.

6. MTN XtraSpecial Postpaid – ₦12 Per Minute

If you’re willing to use a postpaid line, MTN XtraSpecial Postpaid currently offers calls to all Nigerian networks at 20 kobo per second, or ₦12 per minute, from the first second.

There is no daily or monthly access fee for the flat call rate.

How to Migrate to XtraSpecial Postpaid

Existing prepaid customers can migrate by dialling:

*409#

You will need to provide your BVN during the migration process. New customers need to visit an MTN outlet with their NIN and complete the activation process.

The plan also comes with other postpaid benefits, including an instant ₦2,000 credit limit and discounted international calls to selected destinations.

However, because it is a postpaid plan, it isn’t necessarily the best choice if you simply want the cheapest prepaid calling option.

So, Which MTN Call Plan Is Cheapest in 2026?

It depends on what you mean by cheapest.

Cheapest standard prepaid tariff

MTN Pulse — ₦13.80/min

This is one of the best choices for ordinary prepaid customers who want a relatively low flat call rate without buying a voice bundle.

Cheapest voice bundle per minute

MTN Sachet ₦500 — approximately ₦9.09/min

This gives you 55 minutes for ₦500 and is currently the lowest effective per-minute price among the voice bundles compared here.

Cheapest for eligible teenagers

MTN mPulse — ₦12/min

This is available to eligible MTN customers aged 9–15.

Cheapest postpaid option among those compared

MTN XtraSpecial Postpaid — ₦12/min

It offers a flat ₦12/minute rate to all Nigerian networks.

MTN Call Tariff Plan vs Voice Bundle: What’s the Difference?

This is important because many people use the terms interchangeably.

A tariff plan determines how much MTN charges your main airtime balance when you make calls.

A voice bundle, on the other hand, gives you a specific number of minutes that you can use for calls within the bundle’s validity period.

For example, MTN Pulse charges ₦13.80 per minute under its current standard rate, while the ₦500 Sachet Bundle gives you 55 minutes for ₦500.

So if you’re a very heavy caller, a voice bundle may save you more money than simply switching tariff plans.

If you make calls occasionally, however, switching to a lower-cost tariff such as Pulse may be more convenient.

How to Choose the Best MTN Call Tariff Plan

Before migrating to any MTN plan, consider how you actually use your phone.

If you make calls every day

MTN Pulse because of its flat ₦13.80/minute rate and additional benefits.

If you make lots of calls within a short period

Consider an MTN Sachet voice bundle, particularly the ₦500 55-minute option.

If you are eligible for mPulse

The mPulse ₦12/minute rate can be attractive, especially when combined with its other youth-focused benefits.

If you need calls and data

Consider XtraValue, since its bundles combine voice minutes with data and SMS.

If you prefer postpaid billing

XtraSpecial Postpaid offers a ₦12/minute national call rate and additional postpaid benefits.

How to Check Your Current MTN Tariff Plan

If you’re not sure which tariff plan your MTN number is currently using, you can check through MTN’s available self-service channels, including the myMTN NG app.

This is useful before migrating because you may already be on a plan that suits your calling needs.

You should also check the current terms and conditions before migrating, particularly if you’ve changed tariff plans recently, because some MTN plans charge a migration fee for subsequent migrations within a specified period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest MTN call tariff plan in Nigeria in 2026?

For standard prepaid calling, MTN Pulse currently charges ₦0.23 per second, equivalent to ₦13.80 per minute. However, if you are comparing voice bundles rather than standard tariff rates, the ₦500 MTN Sachet Bundle works out to approximately ₦9.09 per minute.

How much does MTN Pulse charge per minute?

MTN Pulse currently charges ₦13.80 per minute for calls to local networks in Nigeria.

What is the cheapest MTN voice bundle?

The ₦500 MTN Sachet Bundle provides 55 minutes, which works out to approximately ₦9.09 per minute. It is valid for five days.

Is MTN mPulse cheaper than MTN Pulse?

Yes, based on the current listed standard rates. mPulse costs ₦12 per minute, while Pulse costs ₦13.80 per minute. However, mPulse is restricted to eligible customers aged 9–15.

Can I call other networks with MTN Pulse?

Yes. MTN states that the Pulse flat rate applies to calls across all local networks in Nigeria.

Is MTN BetaGist cheaper than Pulse?

No. BetaGist’s standard rate is currently ₦19.80 per minute, compared with ₦13.80 per minute on Pulse. BetaGist does, however, offer three minutes back for every six minutes of outgoing local calls under its promotional offer.

Does MTN charge for changing tariff plans?

It depends on the plan and how recently you last migrated. For example, MTN states that the first migration to Pulse within 30 days is free, while a subsequent migration within that period costs ₦102. BetaGist’s subsequent migration fee is ₦150.

Conclusion 

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to make MTN calls in Nigeria in 2026, don’t look at tariff plans alone.

For a simple prepaid tariff, MTN Pulse is a strong choice at ₦13.80 per minute.

For the lowest effective cost per minute, the ₦500 MTN Sachet Bundle currently stands out at approximately ₦9.09 per minute for 55 minutes.

For eligible teenagers, mPulse offers calls at ₦12 per minute, while XtraSpecial Postpaid also offers a ₦12 per minute national call rate for customers who prefer postpaid service.

Because MTN can change tariffs, bundle prices, eligibility requirements and USSD codes, it is always worth confirming the current offer through MTN’s official channels before migrating or purchasing a bundle.