MTN Nigeria: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
MTN Nigeria plans to switch off 2G on 31 December 2030 and plans to switch off 3G in December 2025, according to the sources we checked on 26 October 2026. The table gives each source and how far we trust it; the rest of the page says what this means for IoT devices in Nigeria.
2G and 3G status at MTN Nigeria
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Planned | 31 December 2030 | low | emnify.com, mobility.com.ng Only an IoT tracker (emnify) gives a date, 31 Dec 2030. Mobility (Jun 2025) says 2G in Nigeria will not be shut down in the near future. No MTN or NCC announcement found. |
| 3G | Planned | December 2025 | low | businessday.ng, mobility.com.ng Sources conflict: BusinessDay (Oct 2025) says MTN has reportedly communicated plans to fully discontinue 3G by Dec 2025; Mobility (Jun 2025) said MTN was not shutting 3G yet, having renewed its 2100 MHz licence in 2023 for 15 years. Date has passed without confirmation found; no NCC timetable. |
Confidence is high when the operator or the regulator states the date, medium when several independent sources agree, low otherwise. We recheck every month.
What it means for IoT devices on MTN Nigeria
- 2G devices keep working until the shutdown (31 December 2030). Replace 2G-only devices before that date; once the network closes, they lose service on MTN Nigeria.
- 3G works until the shutdown (December 2025). Devices that rely on 3G should move to 4G before then.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in Nigeria: permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is not allowed. Details on the Nigeria page.
An M2M.global IoT SIM is not tied to a single network in a country, and its data can reach your cloud without the internet through private delivery.
Other operators in Nigeria
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| 9mobile | No plan announced | Unclear |
| Airtel Nigeria | No plan announced | No plan announced |
| Globacom | No plan announced | Unclear |
All operators and both rules for Nigeria: IoT connectivity in Nigeria. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does MTN Nigeria switch off 2G in Nigeria?
MTN Nigeria plans to switch off 2G on 31 December 2030. Only an IoT tracker (emnify) gives a date, 31 Dec 2030. Mobility (Jun 2025) says 2G in Nigeria will not be shut down in the near future. No MTN or NCC announcement found.
When does MTN Nigeria switch off 3G in Nigeria?
MTN Nigeria plans to switch off 3G in December 2025. Sources conflict: BusinessDay (Oct 2025) says MTN has reportedly communicated plans to fully discontinue 3G by Dec 2025; Mobility (Jun 2025) said MTN was not shutting 3G yet, having renewed its 2100 MHz licence in 2023 for 15 years. Date has passed without confirmation found; no NCC timetable.