First of all, I want you to understand that Nigerian telecom companies, MTN, GLO, Airtel, and 9Mobile, resell SIM number to another person if the SIM is not active for a very long time. So, if you've just started a new life abroad, it's wise to protect your SIM from being resold to another customer.
The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) passed a bill that any SIM that's inactive for 12 months can be legally recycled and sold to new customer. This can open your financial information up to strangers, leading to unauthorized access to your banks and other financial services linked to the SIM.
However, these telecom companies also understands that people might be in a situation whereby their SIM can go inactive for a very long time. So, they introduced "SIM Retention Services" to prevent SIM card deactivation and recycling for customers who are abroad or inactive for extended periods.
- For MTN, the service is called "Keep My Number (KMN) Service".
- For GLO, it's called "ALWAYS ON PLAN".
- Airtel titled theirs "International Roaming Services".
- For 9Mobile, the SIM Retention Service is called "Extended SIM Validity".
Now, let's dive into the full details of how these SIM Retention Services work for people in the Diaspora.
SIM Retention Services for Nigerian Telecoms
| Provider | Service Name | Validity Period | Cost | Activation Steps | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTN Nigeria | Keep My Number (KMN) | 1 Year: ₦511 2 Years: ₦819 3 Years: ₦1,228 |
₦511 (1 yr) ₦819 (2 yrs) ₦1,228 (3 yrs) |
Text KMN1 (1 yr), KMN2 (2 yrs), or KMN3 (3 yrs) to 36500 Contact customer care for remote activation |
- Up to 3 years protection - Prepaid only - Requires NIN linkage |
Long-term travelers or diaspora users seeking maximum protection |
| Airtel Nigeria | International Roaming | Varies (based on usage) | Usage-dependent | Activate roaming before travel Contact customer care |
- Keeps SIM active via roaming - Charges apply for usage abroad |
Frequent travelers with active international usage |
| Glo Mobile | Retention Plan | 1 Year | Varies (contact Glo) | Contact customer care for details | - Flexible annual plan - Suitable for uncertain travel durations |
Users needing short-term flexibility |
| 9mobile | Extended SIM Validity | 1 Year | ₦500 | 1. Recharge with ₦500 2. Dial *539*1# or text “1” to 539 3. Receive confirmation 4. Check status: *539# |
- For prepaid & postpaid - Annual renewal required |
Users seeking affordable, flexible 1-year protection |
Things You Should Know
It's very important to know that linkage of National Identification Number (NIN) to your SIM card doesn't prevent recycling after 12 months of inactivity. Just so you know that SIM retention services is a critical context you must understand in Nigeria.
Furthermore, it's also important to set up retention plans for your SIM before leaving Nigeria to avoid payment methods or verification issues abroad. Some network providers may need Nigerian payment methods which may not be available abroad.
I know the question that'll pop out of your mind is that "what can I do if I'm already living abroad?" Well, it's easy because even from outside Nigeria, you can activate SIN retention services. All you need to do is contact your network providers through their online outlets, as long as you can still verify that you're the real owner of the SIM.
Best Option to Choose?
The option to choose depends on several factors including duration, cost, and type of SIM card you're using. However, for general overview, MTN is best when considering duration and inactive time. The telecom offers the longest retention service for up to 3 years.
Glo and 9mobile provide 1-year plans of the service, and Airtel’s duration depends on customer's roaming usage. In addition to that, their cost structure are different as well. 9mobile has the lowest fixed cost (₦500/year), MTN’s plans scale with duration, Glo’s cost is unclear, and Airtel’s is usage-based, which is literally expensive than others.
Thinking about Flexibility? Glo and 9mobile are more flexible for shorter or uncertain travel periods due to annual renewals. MTN suits long-term commitments, and Airtel's retention service is less predictable due to usage-based costs.
In terms of activation ease, 9Mobile is the best because it offers the simplest activation process. Followed by MTN because of its text-based activation process. Airtel and Glo require customer care interaction, which may be less convenient for people already living abroad.
Lastly, it's important to note that MTN's retention service is available to customers that are on prepaid service. 9mobile supports both prepaid and postpaid customers, Airtel’s roaming is usage-based for all customers, and Glo’s eligibility details are unclear.
If you have any questions regarding this service, feel free to drop it in the comments section. We'll give responses as soon as possible.
