What is MTN VAS, and why is it deducting my airtime?
VAS stands for value-added services — billable extras layered on top of your basic call, SMS, and data plan. On MTN Nigeria this includes caller tunes, content clubs (jokes, horoscopes, sports alerts), and third-party subscription games or quizzes. Many of these get activated by tapping a promotional ad or pop-up, sometimes without a clear confirmation step, and then renew automatically and deduct airtime daily or weekly until cancelled. This is the single most common cause of "mystery" airtime disappearing from an MTN line.
How do I unsubscribe using *305#?
- Dial *305# and press call.
- Select the option for Active Services (sometimes labelled "Manage Active Services").
- A list of every billable subscription currently running on your line displays.
- Select the service you want to stop, then choose Unsubscribe and confirm.
MTN Nigeria's own customer-support handle has publicly directed subscribers experiencing unwanted deductions to dial *305# and use this Active Services option. Repeat the process for each subscription if more than one is active — the menu handles them one at a time.
How do I stop data bundle auto-renewal?
Data bundle auto-renewal is billed and managed separately from general VAS content. To opt out, dial *312*1*12# and follow the prompts. MTN's support account has pointed to this exact code specifically for regular data bundle auto-renewal, distinct from the *305# menu used for caller tunes and content subscriptions.
What if *305# doesn't respond on my handset?
USSD menus occasionally fail to load due to network congestion or handset compatibility. If *305# doesn't respond:
- Install the myMTN app (Google Play or App Store), sign in with your MTN number and OTP, then go to Manage Services > Active Subscriptions and unsubscribe from there.
- Visit an MTN store or connect point and ask a representative to check and clear active VAS subscriptions on your line.
A caveat on sourcing: secondary aggregator guides also mention an SMS "STOP" method (sending STOP to a specific shortcode per service) and an older *123*5*1# menu as alternate routes to the same VAS list. Neither of these could be confirmed against an MTN-owned channel in this research pass, so treat them as unverified until confirmed directly with MTN — stick to *305# and *312*1*12# as the confirmed methods.
What if deductions continue after I've unsubscribed?
Nigerian users have reported unauthorized or recurring VAS-style deductions (including small amounts like ₦100) even after attempting to opt out, and this has drawn public scrutiny in 2026. If a charge repeats after you've confirmed an unsubscribe through *305#, don't assume the deduction is legitimate just because it recurred. Dial 180 to reach MTN customer care, report the specific service code and the date of the deduction, and ask for both a refund and written confirmation that the service has been removed from your line. If MTN does not resolve it, a complaint can be escalated to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) through its consumer portal.
People also ask
Is unsubscribing from MTN VAS free?
Yes. The *305# and *312*1*12# USSD sessions do not require airtime or data balance to use.
Will unsubscribing from one service cancel all of them?
No. Each active subscription must be selected and unsubscribed individually from the *305# Active Services list.
Does unsubscribing affect my main data or voice plan?
No. VAS unsubscription only removes the specific add-on service. Your regular data bundle, voice plan, and SMS plan are unaffected unless you separately opt out of their own auto-renewal.