Telephone numbers in Nigeria explained

Telephone numbers in Nigeria use an open numbering plan. They are composed of a combination of an area code and a local line or subscriber telephone number. Area codes consist of one digit (Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja) or two digits. Local telephone numbers contain from five to seven digits, and may vary within the area code. Mobile phone numbers start with 070, 080 or 081, 090 or 091 and are followed by eight digits.

Calling formats

These examples use calls to Lagos as example:

• xxx xxxx – Calls within an area code
• 0201 xxx xxxx – Calls from outside Lagos
• +234 201 xxx xxxx – Calls from outside Nigeria
• 0xxx xxx xxxx – Calls to a mobile number (see below)
• 042 xxx xxxx – Landline calls to Enugu.
• 052****** – Landline calls to Edo.
• 064 xx xxxx - Landline calls to Kano.

Mobile network prefixes

The following prefixes are assigned to mobile phone network operators.^[1] Nigeria implemented mobile number portability in 2013. Therefore, prefixes no longer reliably indicate the parent network of a number.^[2]

Prefix	Network
0701	Airtel Nigeria
07020	Smile
07025	MTN Nigeria (formerly Visafone)
07026	MTN Nigeria (formerly Visafone)
07027	Multi-Links
07028	Starcomms
07029	Starcomms
0703	MTN Nigeria
0704	MTN Nigeria (formerly Visafone[3])
0705	Globacom
0706	MTN Nigeria
0707	MTN Nigeria (formerly ZoomMobile)
0708	Airtel Nigeria
0709	Multi-Links
0802	Airtel Nigeria
0803	MTN Nigeria
0804	Mtel
0805	Globacom
0806	MTN Nigeria
0807	Globacom
0808	Airtel Nigeria
0809	9mobile
0810	MTN Nigeria
0811	Globacom
0812	Airtel Nigeria
0813	MTN Nigeria
0814	MTN Nigeria
0815	Globacom
0816	MTN Nigeria
0817	9mobile
0818	9mobile
0819	Starcomms
0909	9mobile
0908	9mobile
0901	Airtel Nigeria
0902	Airtel Nigeria
0903	MTN Nigeria
0904	Airtel Nigeria
0905	Globacom
0906	MTN Nigeria
0907	Airtel Nigeria
0915	Globacom
0913	MTN Nigeria
0912	Airtel Nigeria
0916	MTN Nigeria
0911	Airtel Nigeria

Area codes

LIST OF AREA CODES[4]
Area/City	Area Code	Area/City	Area Code
	01		02
	09		030
	031		033
	034		035
	036		037
	038		039
	041		042
	043		044
	045		046
	047		048
	050		051
	052		053
	054		055
	056		057
	058		059
	060		061
	062		063
	064		065
	066		067
	068		069
	070		071
	072		073
	075		076
	077		078
	079		082
	083		084
	085		086
	087		088
	089		055
	031		057
	053		057

Other numbers

Tollfree numbers start with 0800 (800 without the 0) and non-tollfree numbers start with 0700 or 700 without the 0. This numbers have 10 digits and are not mobile numbers.

The emergency number is 112.

See also

• List of telephone operating companies in Nigeria
• Landline Numbers in Nigeria have changed. See

https://ncc.gov.ng/documents/1169-notification-to-itu-on-changes-in-itu-t-e-164-numbers-in-national-numbering-plan-nnp/file

External links

• ITU allocations list

Notes and References

1. Web site: Allocation of Mobile Numbers as at March 31, 2015. pdf. 2016-01-03. 2015-03-31. Nigerian Communications Commission.
2. Web site: Frequently Asked Questions . 2016-01-03 . pdf . Nigerian Communications Commission.
3. Book: Assistance., Ohio. Department of Job and Family Services. Office of Communications. Ohio. Office of Family. LEAP, Learning, Earning, and Parenting : the program that works for you and helps you reach your goals. 2002. Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services, Office of Communications [and] Office of Family Assistance. 51915709.
4. Web site: National Numbering Plan: 2017 Quarter 3. 2024-01-09. pdf. Nigerian Communications Commission.