The Most Useless USSD Codes in Nigeria (and What to Dial Instead)
USSD codes were supposed to make life easier—but let’s be real, many of them are outdated, confusing, or just plain broken.
I’ve used dozens of USSD codes across MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9Mobile. Some don’t work. Some give errors. Others send you in circles before achieving nothing.
In this guide, I’ll show you:
- Which USSD codes are currently useless or misleading
- Why they don’t work anymore
- The correct alternatives that actually do the job
Let’s clean up your dial pad and save you from wasted airtime and frustration.
Why Some USSD Codes Are Useless in 2025
- Obsolete network paths due to updated systems
- Unified USSD directive by NCC changed many codes
- No feedback or error messages, leaving users confused
- Promotional codes that are no longer active
List of Useless or Broken USSD Codes (and What to Use Instead)
| Old/Obsolete Code | Reason It’s Useless | Updated or Working Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| *556# (MTN) | Sometimes unresponsive or delays | *310# (Unified balance check) |
| *123# (MTN) | Confusing menu with broken paths | Use *312# directly for data, airtime, and plans |
| *124# (Glo) | Rarely loads or crashes mid-session | Use *310# for balance; *777# for plans |
| *140# (Airtel) | No longer returns bonus info reliably | Use *310# for airtime; *323# for bonuses |
| *232# (9Mobile) | Deprecated and replaced by NCC standard | *310# for balance, *312# for data |
Common Mistakes Users Make
- Dialing outdated codes from old blog posts or forums
- Confusing network-specific codes with unified USSDs
- Trying the same code multiple times without checking alternatives
The 5 Most Reliable USSD Codes You Should Know in 2025
- *310# – Check airtime balance (all networks)
- *312# – Buy data plans (all networks)
- *303# – Borrow airtime/data
- *323# – Check bonus balance
- *996# – NIN linking & status
These were introduced by NCC in 2023 and are now required on all networks.
Bonus: How to Test If a Code Is Still Active
- Dial the code and observe the response.
- If it returns “Invalid,” “Service not available,” or “Check your network settings,” it’s likely deprecated.
- Check the official telecom website or the NCC USSD portal for updates.
Final Thoughts
There’s no shortage of USSD codes in Nigeria—but only a few actually matter today. The rest are dead weight, confusing users and wasting time.
Stick with the new unified codes, bookmark the working ones, and ignore outdated codes still floating around on old blog posts and WhatsApp groups.
Your phone—and your brain—will thank you.
