Airtime recharge code for MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile – complete list
To recharge airtime on any Nigerian network, dial: *[network code]*[PIN]#. The PIN is the number on the back of your recharge card. Each network has its own code – here they all are.
You’ve probably been there: you just scratched a card, your phone’s in your hand, and you’re blanking on whether it’s *134 or *126. Or worse, the code worked yesterday, but today it’s failing. This guide covers all four networks, plus exactly what to do when a code refuses to work.
Quick answers
– MTN: *134*[PIN]#
– Glo: *123*[PIN]#
– Airtel: *126*[PIN]#
– 9mobile: *200*[PIN]#
– Pro tip: Skip scratch cards entirely and buy airtime online on VTUKing if codes keep failing
Quick reference: recharge code for all networks
Need the code right now? Here it is:
| Network | Recharge Code Format |
|---|---|
| MTN | *134*[PIN]# |
| Glo | *123*[PIN]# |
| Airtel | *126*[PIN]# |
| 9mobile | *200*[PIN]# |
Replace [PIN] with the digits on your recharge card. Dial the code and press call. You’ll get a confirmation SMS within seconds.
MTN airtime recharge code
*134*[PIN]# – that’s it.
Here’s how:
- Scratch the back of your MTN recharge card carefully (seriously, take your time)
- Open your phone dialer
- Type *134* then the full PIN, then #
– Example: if your PIN is 1234567890123, dial *134*1234567890123# - Press call
- Wait for the SMS. Your new balance will appear within seconds.
MTN cards come in N100, N200, N500, N1,000, and up – the code works the same regardless of denomination.
Alternative: Use the MyMTN app instead. Open it, tap “Recharge”, enter your PIN, and confirm. Handy if your phone’s dialer is being difficult.
Want data instead of airtime? VTUKing’s MTN data bundles are cheaper than buying direct from MTN, and they load instantly without any scratch card hassle.
Glo airtime recharge code
*123*[PIN]# is your Glo code.
Here’s the process:
- Scratch the silver panel on your Glo recharge card
- Open your dialer
- Type *123* then your full PIN, then #
– Example: *123*4567890123456# - Press call
- You’ll get an SMS with your updated balance
One critical thing: don’t add spaces between your PIN digits. Glo recharge fails surprisingly often when people copy a PIN from WhatsApp or a photo and accidentally include spaces. Delete them before you dial.
Glo cards run from N100 upwards, and the process is identical for every denomination.
Need more help troubleshooting a Glo recharge? Check out the full Glo recharge guide.
Airtel airtime recharge code
*126*[PIN]# is your Airtel code.
Here’s what to do:
- Scratch your Airtel recharge card to reveal the PIN
- Open your dialer
- Type *126* then the PIN, then #
– Example: *126*3456789012345# - Press call
- Your confirmation SMS arrives within seconds
Quick note: Some older Airtel cards (and certain phones) also accept *432*[PIN]#. If *126* gives you an error, try *432* with the same PIN.
Airtel cards range from N50 to N5,000 – same process for all.
Here’s a real example: Chidi bought a N500 Airtel card to share with a family member but typed *127* out of habit from switching between networks. The code failed twice before he caught the typo. It’s the kind of mistake that happens when you’re juggling multiple SIM cards. This guide exists so that doesn’t happen to you.
9mobile airtime recharge code
*200*[PIN]# is the 9mobile code.
Here’s how:
- Scratch the card to reveal the PIN
- Open your dialer
- Type *200* then the full PIN, then #
– Example: *200*5678901234567# - Press call
- Wait for your confirmation SMS
History note: 9mobile used to be called Etisalat. The brand changed, but the recharge code and service stayed the same. If you’ve recharged an Etisalat line before, this is identical.
For 9mobile-specific tips and data subscriptions, see the 9mobile recharge guide.
What to do when your recharge code is not working
Here’s the section most guides conveniently skip. The code is right, you’ve done everything correctly – but the credit still isn’t there. Let’s fix it.
Check your scratch job
The number one reason recharges fail is a bad scratch. If you scratch too hard or at an angle, digits get mangled. An 8 can look like a 6. A damaged 0 can look like a 9. Check the PIN very carefully in good light before you dial.
Adaeze learned this the hard way. She scratched a N1,000 MTN card in a hurry while on a bus, got an error on the first attempt, assumed the card was faulty, and tossed it. When she called MTN customer care later, they confirmed the card had never been used – she’d simply misread a digit. That was N1,000 gone. Take your time with the scratch.
Make sure there are no spaces in your PIN
When you type your recharge code, every digit of the PIN must be entered with no spaces. This is especially easy to mess up if you’re copying a PIN sent via text or WhatsApp. Delete any spaces before dialing.
Check if the card was already used
If you get an error like “card already used” or “this recharge is invalid,” someone else already redeemed it – either at the point of sale or a previous owner. This is a real risk with physical scratch cards, especially ones bought at informal vendors.
Call your network’s customer care
If you’ve checked the PIN carefully and the card hasn’t been used, call:
– MTN: 180 or 0803 000 0180
– Glo: 121 or 0805 000 0121
– Airtel: 111 or 0802 000 0100
– 9mobile: 200 or 0809 000 0200
Have your full PIN ready. They can verify if the card’s been used and sometimes process the recharge manually.
Skip the scratch card entirely
The easiest fix? Stop using physical recharge cards. When you buy airtime on VTUKing, there’s no card to scratch, no PIN to misread, and no risk of buying a dead card. You enter your phone number, pay, and airtime hits your line in seconds. It’s faster than driving to a vendor, and data bundles are cheaper than buying direct from the network.
How to buy airtime online without a recharge card
Tired of hunting for scratch cards or debugging failed codes? Buy airtime online instead.
Here’s how VTUKing works:
- Go to vtuking.ng
- Select your network (MTN, Glo, Airtel, or 9mobile)
- Enter the phone number you want to recharge
- Choose your airtime amount
- Pay with your bank card, transfer, or wallet
- Airtime loads to the number instantly
No scratch card. No code. No failed attempts. And if you want data instead, you can buy data bundles the same way – usually cheaper than the official network price.
This is especially useful when you need to recharge late at night (vendors are closed) or top up someone else’s number remotely.
FAQ
What is the airtime recharge code for MTN?
*134*[PIN]# – replace [PIN] with the digits on your MTN scratch card and press call. Airtime reflects within seconds.
How do I recharge Glo airtime?
Dial *123*[PIN]# on your Glo line. Enter the full PIN from your recharge card with no spaces, then press call. You’ll get an SMS once the credit loads.
What is the recharge code for Airtel?
*126*[PIN]# is your primary code. If it doesn’t work, try *432*[PIN]# – both are valid Airtel codes. Enter the PIN from your scratch card after the second asterisk.
Can I recharge airtime without a scratch card?
Yes. Buy airtime directly on VTUKing and it tops up instantly with no physical card. Works for MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile.
What is the recharge code for all networks in Nigeria?
| Network | Code |
|---|---|
| MTN | *134*[PIN]# |
| Glo | *123*[PIN]# |
| Airtel | *126*[PIN]# |
| 9mobile | *200*[PIN]# |
Dial the code for your network, replace [PIN] with the digits on your card, and press call.
Why is my recharge code not working?
Most common causes: a scratched or misread PIN digit, spaces accidentally typed between PIN digits, or a card that was already used. Check the PIN carefully in good lighting. If it’s genuinely faulty and still failing, call your network’s customer care with the PIN ready.
There you have it. MTN, Glo, Airtel, 9mobile – dial the right code, enter your PIN carefully, and your airtime loads. But if you’re tired of dealing with scratch cards altogether, buying airtime online on VTUKing works any time, loads faster, and you’ll never worry about a damaged or invalid PIN again.