Nigeria Phone Number Format for Local & International Calls

The key components of a Nigerian phone number include the country code, a local trunk prefix, an area code or a mobile prefix, and the subscriber number. Mobile numbers usually have a consistent length, while a landline number’s length can vary depending on the area codes used.

• Nigeria Country Code (+234)
  Nigeria’s country code is +234. You must include it when you call Nigeria from another country. Dialing this code after the exit code informs your telephone network to route your call to the Nigerian phone network.
• Trunk Prefix (0)
  Nigeria uses 0 as the national (trunk) prefix for domestic dialing. You must add it before the local number when making domestic calls. However, they must be omitted when dialing from abroad. This single digit often causes formatting errors when people dial the number from overseas.

• Area Code
  Area codes identify the city/region where a landline number is registered. In recent updates, Nigeria revised many fixed-line area codes by adding “20” before older codes to create a more consistent numbering format and support the expansion of the national telecom network.

  City	Old area code (fixed line)	New area code (fixed line)
  Lagos	1	201
  Abuja	9	209
  Ibadan	2	202
  Kano	64	2064
  Kaduna	62	2062
  Jos	73	2073
  Port Harcourt	84	2084
  Enugu (Nsukka–Enugu)	42	2042
  Benin City	52	2052
  Maiduguri	76	2076

• Mobile Prefix (Cell Numbers)
  Mobile numbers use a mobile prefix (destination code/range) instead of area codes in Nigeria. The prefix usually starts with 070x, 080x, 081x, 090x, or 091x.
• Subscriber Number
  The subscriber number is the remaining part of the phone number after the area code (landline) or mobile prefix (mobile). It works as the unique identifier of a phone line.

The Nigerian phone number format for local calls starts with the trunk code ‘0’, then the area code, mobile prefix or toll-free prefix, depending on the type of number, followed by the unique subscriber number.

Here’s how to dial a Nigerian phone number domestically:

1. Type trunk prefix “0” first.
2. Add the correct code for the number type:
   • Landline: enter area code
   • Mobile: enter mobile prefix (such as 070x, 080x, 081x, 090x, 091x)
   • Toll-free: enter the toll-free prefix, 800
3. Dial the remaining digits to complete the full Nigerian phone number.

• Landline Phone Number: 0 + area code + subscriber number

  Example: 0 201 123 456X

  • 0 - Trunk code
  • 201 - Lagos area code
  • 123 456X - Local landline number

• Mobile Phone Number: 0 + mobile prefix (070x/080x/081x/090x/091x) + remaining digits

  Example: 0 803 123 456X

  • 0 - Trunk code
  • 803 - Mobile prefix
  • 123 456X - Local mobile number

• Toll-Free Number: toll-free prefix + remaining digits

  Example: 0800 123 456X

  • 0 - Trunk code
  • 800 - Toll-free prefix
  • 123 456X - Local subscriber number

The International phone number format for Nigeria consists of the exit code, the Nigeria country code ‘234’, and the subscriber number without the leading 0.

Steps to dial a Nigerian phone number for international calls:

1. Enter your country’s exit code (the code used to dial internationally).
2. Dial 234 (Nigeria’s country code).
3. Dial the Nigerian number without the leading trunk prefix “0”:
   • Landline: enter the area code, then the subscriber digits
   • Mobile: enter the mobile prefix, then the remaining digits
   • Toll-free: enter 800, then the remaining digits
4. Dial the remaining digits.

Nigeria uses a short phone number structure for emergency phone numbers. The main national emergency number is 112, which connects callers to the appropriate emergency response services, including police, fire and medical response. For road traffic incidents, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also provides a dedicated emergency hotline, and some states offer additional local emergency numbers for faster regional response.

Using the local Nigerian number format for international calls, entering an incorrect landline area code, or assuming toll-free numbers work internationally can all lead to failed connections. In addition, not considering the time zone differences between your country and Nigeria can result in unanswered calls.

• Keeping the trunk prefix (0) for international calls: This is the most common mistake. Nigerian numbers often start with 0 for local calls, but that “0” must be removed for international dialing.
  
  To call Nigeria internationally, simply dial your exit code (or +), then 234, then the Nigerian number without the leading 0.
• Using the wrong landline area code: Nigeria has recently updated many fixed-line area codes for landlines, adding ‘20’ before the older code. However, many users still use the older code, which leads to a failed connection.
• Assuming toll-free works internationally: Calls to toll-free numbers may not connect from outside the country. Even if it does work, your carrier may still charge you based on international calling rates. If a toll-free call fails, try an alternative local or mobile number.
• Calling without checking time zone and network: Nigeria follows West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1), which can differ significantly from your local time zone. Calling without considering this difference may result in reaching the recipient at an inconvenient hour or outside normal business hours.

The Nigerian phone number format follows a simple structure, consisting of an area or mobile prefix and subscriber number for local calls. For international calls, you’d add your country’s exit code and Nigeria’s country code ‘234’ at the beginning of the phone number.

If you frequently call Nigeria, managing costs becomes just as crucial as dialing correctly, especially when calling from overseas. The international calling rate is often expensive with traditional carriers.

For an affordable alternative, you can get a virtual phone number from Calilio. We offer a low international calling rate to contact Nigeria from anywhere. Also, with our robust network technology, you’ll rarely encounter any connectivity issues during the call. Our basic plan starts at just $15 per month.
 

• Landline Phone Number: exit code + 234 + area code (without 0) + subscriber number

  Example: 011 234 201 123 456X

  • 011 - US exit code
  • 234 - Nigeria country code
  • 201 - Lagos area code
  • 123 456X - Local landline number

• Mobile Phone Number: exit code + 234 + mobile prefix (without 0) + remaining digits

  Example: 011 234 803 123 456X

  • 011 - US exit code
  • 234 - Nigeria country code
  • 803 - Mobile prefix
  • 123 456X - Local mobile number

• Toll-Free Number: exit code + 234 + 800 (without the leading 0) + remaining digits

  Example: 011 234 800 123 456X

  • 011 - US exit code
  • 234 - Nigeria country code
  • 800 - Toll-free prefix
  • 123 456X - Local subscriber number

Note: If you’re calling a Nigerian number from a smartphone, you can use + instead of the exit code.