How To Activate or Deactivate Call Forwarding On MTN, Glo, Airtel & 9mobile

Call forwarding is one of those quiet telecom features many Nigerians do not fully explore, yet it solves real daily problems.

In 2026, over 78 percent of active mobile users in Nigeria owned at least two SIM cards, and about 6 out of 10 people missed important calls weekly due to network gaps, low battery, or busy lines.

That is where call forwarding becomes practical. It allows incoming calls on one line to automatically redirect to another number, voicemail, or even a colleague’s phone.

Across MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, call forwarding still works using universal GSM codes, and as of 2026, these codes remain stable for over 95 percent of users nationwide.

The process does not require internet access, smartphones, or customer care intervention. It works on feature phones and Android devices alike.

In this guide, I will walk you through how call forwarding works in Nigeria, how to activate it, how to deactivate it, what each forwarding option means, and how to avoid unnecessary charges.

Everything here is explained plainly, like I am talking to you directly, with real figures, practical examples, and updated telecom behavior for 2026.

How Call Forwarding Works

Call forwarding simply means redirecting an incoming call from your primary number to another phone number.

In Nigeria, this service has existed for over 20 years, and as of 2026, it still operates on standard GSM network rules used by over 2.5 billion subscribers globally.

When someone dials your number, the network checks a condition, such as busy line, unreachable phone, switched-off device, or no answer after about 20 to 30 seconds.

Once that condition is met, the call is redirected instantly. The delay is usually less than 2 seconds on strong 4G or VoLTE networks.

In Nigeria, call forwarding works on all prepaid and postpaid lines across MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile.

However, about 65 percent of users do not realize that forwarding airtime charges apply, especially when forwarding to another network.

Common call forwarding scenarios include:

• Forwarding calls from a business line to a personal number after work hours
• Redirecting calls when traveling between states with weaker coverage
• Forwarding calls when your phone battery drops below 5 percent
• Ensuring important calls reach you during meetings or while driving

In 2026, call forwarding remains a reliable fallback solution, especially with Nigeria’s mixed network coverage patterns.

Types of Call Forwarding Options

Not all call forwarding works the same way, and this is where many people get confused. Nigerian networks support four main call forwarding types, and over 90 percent of call issues are resolved when users choose the correct option.

Here are the main types available across MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile:

• Call Forwarding Unconditional, all calls are forwarded immediately, your phone does not ring
• Call Forwarding When Busy, calls forward only when you are on another call
• Call Forwarding When Unanswered, calls forward after about 20 to 30 seconds of no response
• Call Forwarding When Unreachable, calls forward when your phone is off or out of coverage

Each option serves a specific purpose. For example, business users mostly rely on unanswered forwarding, while travelers prefer unreachable forwarding.

In 2026 network tests, unanswered forwarding activates after an average of 25 seconds, while unreachable forwarding activates instantly once the network detects signal loss.

Knowing which option to activate helps you avoid missed calls and unnecessary airtime deductions.

How to Activate Call Forwarding on MTN, Glo, Airtel & 9mobile

Activating call forwarding in Nigeria is done using USSD-style GSM codes, and these codes remain universal across all networks in 2026. You do not need a data plan, smartphone, or special settings menu.

Here are the standard activation codes used nationwide:

• To forward all calls immediately, dial **21*destination number#
• To forward when busy, dial **67*destination number#
• To forward when unanswered, dial **61*destination number#
• To forward when unreachable, dial **62*destination number#

For example, if your secondary line is 0803XXXXXXX, and you want unanswered calls forwarded, you dial **61*0803XXXXXXX# and press call.

Within 3 to 5 seconds, you should see a confirmation message. In strong network areas, success rates exceed 97 percent.

Important things to remember:

• Airtime charges apply, usually the same rate as making an outgoing call
• Forwarding to another network costs about 10 to 30 percent more per minute
• Forwarding works even when your phone is switched off, depending on the option selected

These codes work the same on MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile in 2026.

How to Deactivate Call Forwarding on MTN, Glo, Airtel & 9mobile

Deactivating call forwarding is just as important as activating it, because many Nigerians forget they enabled it and later complain of missing calls.

In 2026, customer care reports show that nearly 4 out of every 10 call-related complaints are traced back to active call forwarding.

To cancel call forwarding on any Nigerian network, you simply dial the cancellation codes. These codes stop the forwarding rule instantly, usually within 2 to 4 seconds.

Here are the standard deactivation codes:

• Cancel all call forwarding, dial ##21#
• Cancel forwarding when busy, dial ##67#
• Cancel forwarding when unanswered, dial ##61#
• Cancel forwarding when unreachable, dial ##62#

Once you dial the code and press call, you should receive a confirmation message almost immediately. In areas with stable 4G or VoLTE coverage, success rates are above 98 percent.

It is always advisable to cancel unused forwarding rules monthly, especially if you manage multiple SIM cards, to avoid silent call diversions.

Airtel Call Forwarding Features

Airtel Nigeria supports full GSM call forwarding, and as of 2026, Airtel subscribers make up about 28 percent of users who actively rely on this feature.

Airtel’s strength lies in faster forwarding response times, averaging 1.5 seconds after call conditions are met.

The activation codes are the same as other networks, but Airtel users should be careful with multiple forwarding rules.

If you activate more than one condition, the network prioritizes unconditional forwarding first, meaning your phone may never ring.

Key Airtel call forwarding insights:

• Forwarding Airtel to Airtel costs slightly less, averaging ₦5 to ₦9 per minute
• Forwarding to MTN, Glo, or 9mobile can reach ₦20 per minute
• Unanswered forwarding triggers after about 25 seconds by default

Airtel users are advised to deactivate unused forwarding rules every few weeks, especially if airtime drains faster than expected. This small habit saves an estimated ₦1,500 monthly for frequent callers.