Best Tourist Sim Cards in Nigeria in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Nigeria across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you plan on visiting Nigeria, having a SIM card is essential for staying connected. Access to the internet while traveling allows for easy navigation in new cities. You can discover the finest restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share photos with your family while on the move.
Although roaming is an option, the international fees can quickly accumulate. Therefore, we highly recommend either an eSIM or a local SIM card to take advantage of local phone rates. Luckily, obtaining an eSIM or local SIM card in Nigeria is incredibly convenient. To help you make the best choice, this guide provides all the information you need, including current pricing and the optimal SIM card to purchase.
The best sim card in Nigeria is the MTN sim card combined with one of their data plans. Which data plan is right for you depends on your data requirements and the duration of your stay, but you can see all the plans here.
If you are staying for less than one week I recommend the weekly 6GB plan for 1,500 NGN, plus you will also need to purchase the sim card which costs 400 NGN, so 1,900 NGN, or about $2.5 USD, in total.
If you are staying longer then pick up the 30 day plan with 10GB of data for 3,000 NGN + the 400 NGN sim card. Or if you require more, you can basically buy as much data as you require up to 200GB for 30,000 NGN.
MTN has the best network in NIgeria, however, the other networks, Airtel and Glo also have fantastic coverage so if you can’t easily reach an MTN store the other two will be absolutely fine and have fairly similar plans.
The Airalo Nigeria eSim is also an option for travellers who prefer the convenience of an eSim. It costs quite a lot more than the comparable local sim cards so it’s not a great option for budget-conscious travellers, but eSims are always better and more convenient so I would still recommend it if you don’t feel like going through the hassle of visiting a store.
A Tourist Sim Card in Nigeria costs 1,500 to 3,000 NGN in February 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Nigeria will cost between $8.50 USD and $34 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Nigeria which includes 3GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $22 USD.
Airtel, Glo and MTN are the main sim card providers in Nigeria. All three providers offer good mobile connections in main urban areas, but connectivity drops off a lot when you head into more rural locations.
MTN has the best coverage of the three, followed by Airtel and then Glo. All three providers offer similarly priced plans with similar amounts of data.
Airtel is one of the leading sim card providers in Nigeria and boasts good connectivity in most cities. Their plans are also very affordable and include a reasonable amount of data for tourists.
The price of a Airtel tourist sim card in Nigeria is 1,500 NGN.
The plan offered by Airtel stores includes 6GB data valid for 7 days.
Glo is generally considered to have the worst network of the three in Nigeria. It’s likely to be adequate for use in the main cities but if you have plans to head to more remote locations then I recommend going for MTN instead.
Their main plan costs slightly more than MTN and Airtel but includes more data. This shouldn’t be necessary for most tourists so I don’t see any reason to go for Glo.
The price of a Glo tourist sim card in Nigeria is 2,000 NGN.
The plan offered by Glo stores offers 9.2GB data valid for 30 days.
MTN is the largest telecommunications company in Nigeria and has the most extensive mobile network in the country with the fastest download speeds. This makes their sim cards the best option for tourists looking to explore the country beyond the main cities.
Their plans are affordable and include enough data for most visitors.
The price of a MTN tourist sim card in Nigeria is 1,500 NGN.
The plan offered by MTN stores includes 6GB data valid for 7 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Nigeria: Airtel, Glo and MTN are your best options in Nigeria.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Nigeria. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Nigeria to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Airtel, Glo or MTN staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Airtel that includes 6GB data for 1,500 NGN.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 1,500 to 3,000 NGN to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Nigeria at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Nigeria then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Nigeria have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Airtel, Glo and MTN. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Nigeria are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Nigeria with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Nigeria. The Airalo Nigeria eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $22 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Nigeria without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Nigeria is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Nigeria and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Nigeria eSim uses the MTN network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the MTN networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Nigeria.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Nigeria eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $8.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $15.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $34 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 3GB data plan for $22 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Nigeria eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Nigeria eSim uses the Airtel / MTNnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Nigeria
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Nigeria eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is permanently embedded into a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. It eliminates the need for a physical SIM card to be inserted or removed from the device.
Instead of a physical card, the eSIM is integrated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for frequent travelers or individuals who regularly switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it simpler to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and access voice, data, and messaging services just like with a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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