The 234 country code belongs to Nigeria. Whether you're calling family in Lagos, conducting business in Abuja, or reaching friends in Port Harcourt, the +234 prefix connects you to Africa's most populous nation with over 220 million people.
Quick Answer: The country code +234 is for Nigeria. Nigerian phone numbers have 10 digits after the +234 prefix. Always drop the leading 0 when calling internationally. For example, a mobile number like
0803 123 4567becomes+234 803 123 4567.
How to Call Nigeria: Quick Reference
The dialing format for Nigeria varies depending on where you're calling from. Here's a quick-reference table for the most common countries with significant Nigerian diaspora communities.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +234 [number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-234-[number without leading 0] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-234-[number without leading 0] |
| Germany | 00-234-[number without leading 0] |
| South Africa | 00-234-[number without leading 0] |
| UAE | 00-234-[number without leading 0] |
Nigeria has one of the largest diasporas in Africa, with significant populations in the UK, US, Germany, South Africa, and the Gulf states. This makes international calling to Nigeria common.
Understanding Nigerian Phone Numbers
Nigerian phone numbers follow a consistent structure, though it's important to understand the trunk prefix system.
The Trunk Prefix (0)
Like many countries, Nigeria uses a leading 0 as a trunk prefix for domestic calls. When calling internationally:
- Drop the leading 0 from any Nigerian number
- Domestic format:
0803 123 4567 - International format:
+234 803 123 4567
This is the most common mistake when dialing Nigeria. If your call isn't connecting, check whether you've accidentally left the 0 in place.
Mobile Numbers
Nigerian mobile numbers are the most common type you'll encounter:
- Length: 10 digits after +234 (11 digits with the domestic 0)
- Starting Digits: Mobile numbers start with 7, 8, or 9 after the trunk prefix
- Common Prefixes: 0703, 0706, 0803, 0806, 0810, 0813, 0816, 0903, 0906, 0913
- Example:
0803 456 7890becomes+234 803 456 7890
Nigeria has several mobile operators including MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, each with their own number ranges.
Landline Numbers
Nigerian landline numbers use geographic area codes:
- Structure: 0 + area code + local number = 10-11 digits
- Starting Digits: Landlines typically start with area codes like 1 (Lagos), 9 (Abuja), etc.
- Example: Lagos number
01 234 5678becomes+234 1 234 5678
Nigeria Area Codes Reference Table
When calling a landline in Nigeria, the first digits after the trunk prefix indicate the geographic region. Here are area codes for major Nigerian cities:
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos | 1 | +234 1 xxx xxxx |
| Abuja | 9 | +234 9 xxx xxxx |
| Ibadan | 2 | +234 2 xxx xxxx |
| Kano | 64 | +234 64 xxx xxxx |
| Kaduna | 62 | +234 62 xxx xxxx |
| Port Harcourt | 84 | +234 84 xxx xxxx |
| Enugu | 42 | +234 42 xxx xxxx |
| Benin City | 52 | +234 52 xxx xxxx |
| Jos | 73 | +234 73 xxx xxxx |
| Warri | 53 | +234 53 xxx xxxx |
| Maiduguri | 76 | +234 76 xxx xxxx |
| Calabar | 87 | +234 87 xxx xxxx |
Note: Mobile phones are far more common in Nigeria than landlines. Most numbers you'll encounter will be mobile numbers starting with 07, 08, or 09.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +234 number is mobile or landline by looking at the digits after the trunk prefix:
- Starts with 7, 8, or 9 (after 0): Almost always a mobile number (e.g., 0803, 0705, 0913)
- Starts with 1-6 (after 0): Usually a landline number with an area code
This distinction matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers may differ.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Nigerian numbers:
Example 1: Calling a Lagos Mobile from the US
- Nigerian Number: 0803 456 7890
- From a US Mobile:
+234 803 456 7890 - From a US Landline:
011 234 803 456 7890
Example 2: Calling an Abuja Landline from the UK
- Nigerian Number: 09-234-5678 (Abuja area code 9)
- From the UK:
00 234 9 234 5678
Example 3: Calling a Port Harcourt Business from Germany
- Nigerian Number: 084-123-4567 (Port Harcourt area code 84)
- From Germany:
00 234 84 123 4567
Example 4: Calling from South Africa
- Nigerian Mobile: 0706-123-4567
- From South Africa:
00 234 706 123 4567
Best Times to Call Nigeria
Nigeria operates on West Africa Time (WAT), which is UTC+1 year-round. Nigeria does not observe daylight saving time.
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Nigeria 9 AM - 5 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Nigeria is 6 hours ahead | 3 AM - 11 AM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | Nigeria is 9 hours ahead | 12 AM - 8 AM PST |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Nigeria is same time (GMT) / 1 hour behind (BST) | 9 AM - 5 PM GMT |
| Germany (CET) | Nigeria is same time (CET) / 1 hour behind (CEST) | 9 AM - 5 PM CET |
| South Africa (SAST) | Nigeria is 1 hour behind | 10 AM - 6 PM SAST |
| UAE (GST) | Nigeria is 3 hours behind | 12 PM - 8 PM GST |
Tip: For US callers, early morning calls work best for reaching Nigeria during business hours. If you call at 6 AM EST, it will be 12 PM in Nigeria.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 234 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: The most frequent error.
+234 0803...is wrong;+234 803...is correct. - Confusing +234 with +233: +234 is Nigeria, while +233 is Ghana. These neighboring countries have similar codes.
- Wrong number length: Nigerian mobile numbers should be 10 digits after +234 (without the trunk 0).
- Mixing up mobile prefixes: Nigerian mobiles start with 07, 08, or 09. Numbers starting with 01-06 are typically landlines.
- Forgetting time zones: Nigeria is 6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. An afternoon call from America arrives late at night in Nigeria.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +234 country code?
The +234 country code is for Nigeria. Any call from a number starting with +234 originates from Nigeria.
How many digits is a Nigerian phone number?
Nigerian phone numbers have 10 digits after the +234 country code. Domestically, they're written with 11 digits including the trunk prefix 0.
What is the area code for Lagos?
The area code for Lagos is 1. For international calls, dial +234 1 followed by the local number.
What is the area code for Abuja?
The area code for Abuja is 9. Internationally, dial +234 9 followed by the local number.
How do I call Nigeria from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +234 followed by the Nigerian number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 234, then the number without the leading 0.
Do I drop the 0 when calling Nigeria internationally?
Yes, always drop the leading 0. Nigerian domestic numbers start with 0 (like 0803 for mobile or 01 for Lagos), but from abroad, replace the 0 with +234. So 0803 123 4567 becomes +234 803 123 4567.
Is +234 Nigeria or Ghana?
+234 is the country code for Nigeria. The country code for Ghana is +233. These West African neighbors have similar codes but are different countries.
Related Country Codes
Looking for other country codes in Africa? Check out these guides:
- +27 South Africa - Major trade partner
- +20 Egypt - Another African economic hub
- +44 United Kingdom - Large Nigerian diaspora
- +1 USA/Canada - Large Nigerian diaspora
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