The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assigned harmonized short codes to all GSM mobile network operators in Nigeria for use by their subscribers. These short codes provide a quick and easy way for subscribers across the network to access various services, such as recharging airtime, checking account balances, and subscribing to data plans. The era of recharging using different codes depending on the network is coming to an end.
Here are some of the harmonized shortcodes for all mobile networks operator in Nigeria as released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC):
MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS HARMONIZED CODES
| CODES | SERVICES | CODES |
| *311# | Credit Recharge | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *310# | Account balance | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *312# | Data Plan | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *323# | Data Plan Balance | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *303# | Borrow Credit Service | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *321# | Share Credit and Data services | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| Dial 300 | Customer Service Desk | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *301# | Voice mail Deposit | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *302# | Voice mail retriever | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *996# | SIM verification (NIN Linkage) | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *2442# | DND (Do not disturb) | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *3232# | Porting | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
| *305# | Stop VAS services | MTN Nigeria, Glo Nigeria, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel |
BACK STORY
Unified short codes for mobile networks in Nigeria work by allowing subscribers to access various services provided by their mobile network operators through a short, easy-to-remember code. When a subscriber dials the specific short code assigned to a particular service, a request is sent to the mobile network operator’s system to provide the requested service.
For example, if a subscriber dials *123#, which is the Airtel Nigeria short code for checking account balance, data balance, and subscription to data plans, the mobile network operator’s system will process the request and send back a message to the subscriber with the requested information.
The use of unified short codes makes it easy and convenient for subscribers to access various services provided by their mobile network operators without having to remember long codes or search for the right number to dial. The short codes are also standardized across different mobile networks, which means that subscribers can use the same code to access the same service regardless of which network they are on.
It is important to note that some mobile network operators may charge a small fee for using certain services accessed through the short codes. Subscribers should also be aware that not all mobile networks use the same short codes, and some services may not be available on all networks.
The old and new harmonised short codes will run concurrently up until the May 17, 2023, when all networks are expected to have fully migrated to full implementation of the new codes. The period between now and May 17, 2023 is provided by the NCC to enable telecom consumers to familiarise themselves with the new codes for various services.
The initiative, which is in line with NCC’s regulatory modernisation programme, is essentially to make life much easier for telecom consumers, as it is now easier for Nigerians to memorise single codes for various services across all mobile networks they may be using, thereby improving consumer quality of experience (QoE).
