How to Borrow Airtime from Airtel Nigeria in 2026: New Code *303# and Complete Eligibility Guide

Running out of airtime during an important call is one of those frustrating moments every Nigerian knows too well. I was on a call with a potential client last month when my balance hit zero mid-sentence. Thankfully, Airtel’s Extra Credit service saved the situation in under 30 seconds.

The code to borrow airtime from Airtel is *303#. This is the new harmonized USSD code that replaced the old *500# following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s standardization of codes across all networks. If you have been trying the old code without success, that is why.

In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know about borrowing airtime from Airtel Nigeria, including eligibility requirements, all available methods, the service fees involved, and the repayment process. Whether you are new to Airtel or have been using the network for years, this article covers the complete process based on my personal experience with the service.

What is Airtel Extra Credit and How Does It Work

Airtel Extra Credit is an emergency airtime loan service that allows prepaid customers to borrow credit when their balance runs low. According to the official Airtel Nigeria borrow airtime page, it is a credit loan service that enables eligible customers to borrow airtime on credit and pay back upon next recharge.

Think of it as a micro-loan facility built into your SIM card. When you cannot recharge immediately but need to make a call or send a message, Extra Credit gives you access to airtime that gets automatically deducted when you eventually top up.

Here is the important part that caught me off guard the first time: Airtel charges a 15% service fee on every amount you borrow. This fee is deducted upfront from your borrowed amount, not when you repay.

Understanding the Airtel Extra Credit Service Fee

Amount You Request	Service Fee (15%)	Amount You Receive	Amount You Repay
₦50	₦7.50	₦42.50	₦50
₦100	₦15	₦85	₦100
₦200	₦30	₦170	₦200
₦500	₦75	₦425	₦500
₦1,000	₦150	₦850	₦1,000

When I first borrowed ₦500 and saw only ₦425 credited to my account, I thought something went wrong. It took me a moment to realize the 15% fee had already been deducted. You still owe the full ₦500 when you recharge, so understanding this upfront helps manage expectations.

Who Can Borrow Airtime from Airtel Nigeria: Complete Eligibility Requirements

Not everyone can access Airtel Extra Credit immediately. Airtel has specific criteria that determine whether you qualify for the service. Here are the requirements:

Basic Eligibility Criteria

You must be an active prepaid Airtel customer. Postpaid subscribers have different billing arrangements and do not need this service.

Your NIN must be linked to your Airtel line. This is now a standard requirement for most telecom services in Nigeria following the NIN-SIM integration mandate. You can check your NIN linkage status by dialing *996#.

You must have used your Airtel line for at least three months. Airtel needs time to assess your usage patterns before extending credit. New SIMs do not qualify regardless of how much you recharge.

You should recharge a minimum of ₦200 monthly. Consistent recharge history demonstrates your ability and likelihood to repay borrowed airtime.

You must have no outstanding borrowed airtime. This is where Airtel differs significantly from MTN. All previous loans must be fully cleared before you can borrow again.

The Key Difference Between Airtel and MTN Borrowing Policies

I learned this difference the hard way. On MTN, you can borrow additional airtime even if you have an outstanding loan, as long as you stay within your credit limit. Airtel does not work this way.

Feature	Airtel Policy	MTN Policy
Borrow with outstanding loan	Not allowed	Allowed within limit
Must clear previous loan first	Yes	No

If you try to borrow on Airtel with an existing loan, you will simply see a message saying you are not eligible. The only solution is to recharge and clear your debt first. For more details on how MTN handles borrowing, check our guide on the code to borrow airtime from MTN.

How to Check Your Airtel Extra Credit Eligibility

Before attempting to borrow, I recommend checking your eligibility status to avoid frustration.

Method 1: Via USSD Dial *303#, then select Eligibility and Help, then choose Eligibility. The system will display whether you qualify and your available credit limit.

Method 2: Via MyAirtel App Open the app, tap on Borrow Airtime, then select the CLS option. Your eligibility status will be displayed along with available borrowing amounts.

Code to Borrow Airtime from Airtel: The 2026 Update Explained

This is crucial information that many websites get wrong. The new code to borrow airtime from Airtel is *303#, not the old *500# that you might still see referenced in some places.

Why the Code Changed

The Nigerian Communications Commission mandated the harmonization of USSD codes across all mobile networks in Nigeria. According to the official Airtel prepaid user guide, the current code for borrowing airtime is *303#. Telecommunications operators adopted these uniform codes to make services more accessible and reduce confusion for consumers using multiple networks.

Complete Code Harmonization Table

Network	Old Borrowing Code	New Code (2026)
Airtel	*500#	*303#
MTN	*606#	*303#
Glo	*321#	*303#
9Mobile	*665#	*303#

The beauty of this harmonization is that you now only need to remember one code, *303#, regardless of which network you use. If you recently switched from MTN to Airtel or vice versa, the borrowing code remains the same.

A Note About the Old Code *500#

The old *500# code may still work for some users, but *303# is the NCC-harmonized standard that works across all networks. If *500# is not working for you, switch to *303#.

How to Borrow Airtime from Airtel Nigeria: Four Complete Methods

Airtel provides multiple ways to access Extra Credit. I will walk you through each method based on my personal experience using them.

Method 1: Using USSD Code *303# (Primary Method)

This is the quickest way to borrow airtime and works on any phone without internet connection. According to the official Airtel user guide, this is the designated code for borrowing airtime.

Step 1: Open your phone dialer and type *303#

Step 2: Press the call button to dial the code

Step 3: When the menu appears, select Borrow Credit

Step 4: You will see a list of amounts you can borrow based on your eligibility. Choose your preferred amount

Step 5: Confirm the transaction by selecting the confirmation option

Step 6: Within seconds, you will receive an SMS confirming the borrowed amount has been credited

The entire process takes less than 30 seconds once you know the menu structure. I have done this countless times while walking, in meetings, and even during power outages using just my phone screen light.

Method 2: Alternative Method Using *312# Menu

If the *303# code is not working or you prefer a different menu structure, you can also borrow airtime through the *312# menu:

Step 1: Dial *312# on your Airtel line

Step 2: From the menu, select option 8 for the borrow section

Step 3: Select option 2 to borrow airtime (or option 3 for data)

Step 4: Choose your preferred amount based on eligibility

Step 5: Confirm the transaction

To check repayment or manage your loan: Dial *312#, select option 8, then option 4.

This method provides the same Extra Credit service through an alternative menu path. I discovered this method when the *303# menu was temporarily unavailable during a network upgrade.

Method 3: How to Borrow Airtime from Airtel Online Using MyAirtel App

For those who prefer a visual interface, the MyAirtel app offers a smooth experience for borrowing airtime online.

Step 1: Download the MyAirtel app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store if you have not already

Step 2: Open the app and log in with your Airtel number. First-time users will need to verify via OTP

Step 3: On the app dashboard, look for and tap Borrow Airtime

Step 4: Tap the CLS option to view your eligibility status and available borrowing amounts

Step 5: Select the amount you want to borrow from the available options

Step 6: Review the details including the service fee and tap Confirm

Step 7: You will receive both an in-app notification and SMS confirmation

I find the app method particularly useful when I want to see my exact eligibility status before borrowing. The visual display makes it easier to understand your options compared to navigating USSD menus.

For those who struggle with apps on slow networks, you might find our guide on productivity apps that work offline helpful for managing your digital tools.

Method 4: Via Customer Support (Call 300)

If you prefer speaking to someone or are having trouble with the other methods, you can contact Airtel customer support.

Step 1: Dial 300 from your Airtel line (this is toll-free)

Step 2: Listen to the automated menu and follow the voice prompts for airtime services

Step 3: Select the option to borrow airtime or request to speak with a live agent

Step 4: Confirm the amount you want to borrow

Step 5: Receive SMS confirmation once the transaction is processed

I rarely use this method because it takes longer than USSD, but it is invaluable when troubleshooting issues or when the USSD system is experiencing problems.

How Much Airtime Can I Borrow from Airtel

Your borrowing limit on Airtel depends on several factors related to your account history and activity. There is no fixed amount that applies to everyone. Based on available information, users can borrow anywhere from ₦50 up to ₦2,000 or more depending on their eligibility tier.

Factors That Determine Your Credit Limit

Length of time on Airtel network: Customers who have been on the network longer typically have access to higher borrowing limits.

Monthly recharge consistency: Regular recharges of ₦200 or more per month demonstrate your reliability and increase your limit over time.

Previous borrowing and repayment history: Successfully borrowing and repaying on time builds your credit profile with Airtel.

Overall account activity: Active usage of calls, SMS, and data contributes to a higher assessed limit.

How to Check Your Specific Limit

Dial *303# and navigate to the borrowing menu. The amounts displayed are what you are eligible to borrow. Your limit can range from as low as ₦50 to ₦2,000 or more depending on the factors above.

How to Repay Borrowed Airtime on Airtel

One of the best features of Airtel Extra Credit is that repayment is completely automatic. You do not need to dial any special code or take any manual action.

Understanding the Automatic Repayment Process

When you recharge your Airtel line, the system automatically deducts what you owe before crediting the remaining amount to your main balance. This amount includes the full borrowed amount plus the 15% service charge that was already deducted upfront.

Example scenario:

• You borrowed ₦500 (received ₦425 after 15% fee)
• You later recharge with ₦1,000
• Airtel automatically deducts ₦500 for loan repayment
• ₦500 is credited to your main airtime balance

What Happens If Your Recharge Is Less Than What You Owe

If you recharge an amount smaller than your outstanding loan, Airtel takes the entire recharge amount toward your debt.

Example:

• You borrowed ₦500 and owe ₦500
• You recharge with ₦300
• Airtel takes the full ₦300 toward your loan
• You still owe ₦200
• Your main balance shows zero usable airtime
• Your next recharge will first clear the remaining ₦200

This is important to understand because until you fully repay, you cannot borrow again on Airtel. Planning your recharge amount accordingly saves frustration.

Manual Repayment Check via *312#

You can also check your loan status or manage repayment through the *312# menu:

Step 1: Dial *312#

Step 2: Select option 8 for the borrow section

Step 3: Select option 4 for repayment information

This shows your current loan status and repayment details.

How to Check Your Airtel Airtime Balance After Borrowing

After borrowing, you will want to monitor your balance to track usage and know how much you owe.

Method 1: Comprehensive Balance Check Dial *310# to see all your balances including main airtime, borrowed airtime, and data balance in one view.

Method 2: Quick Balance Check Dial *123# for a quick summary of your airtime balance.

Method 3: Data Balance Check Dial *323# specifically for data balance information.

Method 4: Via MyAirtel App Open the app and check your dashboard for real-time balance information.

I personally use *310# most often because it gives a complete picture of all balances at once, making it easy to see exactly what I have available and what I owe.

Common Problems When Borrowing Airtime from Airtel and How to Fix Them

Problem: “You are not eligible for this service”

This is the most common issue people face. Here are the potential causes and solutions:

Check your NIN linkage: Dial *996# to verify your NIN is properly linked to your Airtel line. If not, visit an Airtel store to complete the linkage.

Verify your network tenure: You must have been on Airtel for at least three months. New SIMs simply need to wait.

Clear outstanding loans: Unlike MTN, Airtel requires zero outstanding balance before allowing new borrowing. Recharge to clear any existing debt.

Review your recharge history: Ensure you have been recharging at least ₦200 monthly for the past three months.

Problem: Old Code *500# Not Working

Solution: Use the new harmonized code *303# instead. The NCC standardized borrowing codes across all networks, making *303# the current standard.

Problem: *303# Menu Not Loading

Solution: Try the alternative *312# method. Dial *312#, select option 8, then option 2 for airtime borrowing. This provides the same service through a different menu structure.

Problem: Cannot Borrow Despite No Outstanding Loan

Possible causes:

• Recent SIM (less than 3 months old)
• Inconsistent recharge pattern
• NIN not linked
• System temporary issue

Solution: Verify all eligibility requirements. If everything checks out, wait a few hours and try again. Occasional system glitches resolve themselves.

Important Things to Know Before Borrowing from Airtel

Key Facts to Remember

The 15% service fee is non-negotiable. Every borrowed amount incurs this fee, deducted upfront from what you receive.

You cannot borrow with outstanding balance. This is Airtel’s policy and differs from MTN. Plan your recharges accordingly.

Borrowed airtime works for everything. You can use Extra Credit for calls, SMS, and even purchasing data bundles.

Repayment is automatic and mandatory. There is no option to delay repayment. Your next recharge goes toward clearing the loan first.

Check eligibility before attempting to borrow. This saves time and frustration when the service is unavailable to you.

Airtel Borrowing Compared to Other Nigerian Networks

Feature	Airtel	MTN	Glo	9Mobile
Borrowing Code	*303#	*303#	*303#	*303#
Alternative Code	*312# (option 8)	*312#	*312#	*312#
Service Fee	15%	15%	15%	15%
Minimum Network Tenure	3 months	30 days	4 months	3 months
Borrow with Outstanding Loan	No	Yes	No	Yes
Min. Monthly Recharge	₦200	₦200	₦200	₦200

If you frequently need to borrow before clearing previous loans, MTN or 9Mobile might suit your usage pattern better. However, if you typically clear your debts before needing to borrow again, Airtel’s policy will not affect you.

For those managing tight budgets, our guide on saving money on NYSC allowance includes broader financial strategies that can help reduce how often you need emergency airtime.

Can I Use Borrowed Airtime to Buy Data on Airtel

Yes. Borrowed airtime from Airtel Extra Credit can be used for purchasing data bundles, making calls, and sending SMS. There are no restrictions on how you use the credit once it is in your account.

This makes the service even more useful during emergencies. If you run out of data and airtime simultaneously, borrowing airtime allows you to quickly purchase a data bundle to get back online.

If you stream content regularly, you might want to explore the best data plans for streamers in Nigeria to get better value when purchasing data.

A Note for Users in Other Countries

This guide covers Airtel Nigeria specifically. Airtel operates in multiple African countries including Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, and others, but each market has different codes and processes. If you are using Airtel outside Nigeria, please check your local Airtel website for the correct borrowing codes and eligibility requirements for your country.

Frequently Asked Questions About Borrowing Airtime from Airtel

My Personal Tips After Using Airtel Extra Credit

After using this service regularly, here is my practical advice:

Borrow only what you need. The 15% fee adds up over time. If you only need to make one quick call, borrowing ₦100 makes more sense than ₦500.

Clear your loan promptly. Since Airtel does not allow borrowing with outstanding balance, leaving a loan unpaid blocks you from future borrowing when you might really need it.

Keep track of your repayment. Before recharging, remember that your loan will be deducted first. If you need ₦500 worth of usable airtime and owe ₦200, recharge at least ₦700.

Use the eligibility check. Before attempting to borrow, dial *303# and check your eligibility status. This prevents the frustration of going through menus only to be rejected.

Know both codes. Having *303# and *312# as backup options ensures you can always borrow even if one menu is temporarily unavailable.

Consider your usage patterns. If you frequently need emergency airtime, maintaining consistent monthly recharges of ₦200 or more keeps you eligible for the service.

For those working remotely who need to stay connected, our guide on essential gadgets for remote work in Nigeria includes recommendations for managing communication needs effectively.

The ability to borrow airtime from Airtel through the *303# code is one of those simple services that makes a real difference during emergencies. Understanding the eligibility requirements, the 15% fee structure, and Airtel’s policy on outstanding loans helps you use the service effectively when you need it most.

Whether you are a student in Lagos, a professional in Abuja or Port Harcourt, or anyone else in Nigeria who occasionally runs low on airtime at inconvenient moments, Airtel Extra Credit provides a reliable safety net. Just remember to repay promptly so you maintain access to the service for future emergencies.