Quick answer: +234 is Nigeria. Every Nigerian number has 10 digits after +234. Most mobiles start with 70, 80, 81, 90 or 91 after the code. If the number you were given starts with 0, drop the 0. Example:
+234 803 123 4567.
How to dial Nigeria
| Calling from | Dial |
|---|---|
| Any mobile phone | +234 + 10 digits |
| US or Canada landline | 011 234 + 10 digits |
| UK, UAE or South Africa landline | 00 234 + 10 digits |
Nigerians write numbers with a leading 0, like 0803 123 4567. That 0 is only for calls inside Nigeria. From abroad, leave it out: 0803 123 4567 becomes +234 803 123 4567.
Mobile and landline numbers
Mobiles are 11 digits with the 0, so 10 after +234. Each prefix was first issued to one network (0803 to MTN, for example), but people can switch network and keep the number, so the prefix does not reliably tell you the carrier.
Landlines are rare. They are an area code plus a local number, 10 digits together after +234. The area codes changed in 2023, when 20 was added in front of every code, so check any landline number older than that.
| City | Area code in Nigeria | From abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos | 0201 | +234 201 xxx xxxx |
| Abuja | 0209 | +234 209 xxx xxxx |
| Ibadan | 0202 | +234 202 xxx xxxx |
| Kano | 02064 | +234 2064 xx xxxx |
| Port Harcourt | 02084 | +234 2084 xx xxxx |
| Kaduna | 02062 | +234 2062 xx xxxx |
| Enugu | 02042 | +234 2042 xx xxxx |
| Benin City | 02052 | +234 2052 xx xxxx |
Codes that get mixed up with +234
+233 is Ghana and +235 is Chad.
Time difference
Nigeria is on WAT (UTC+1) all year, with no daylight saving time. The gap changes only when your own clocks change.
| Where you are | Your clocks on summer time | Your clocks on standard time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Same time | Nigeria is 1h ahead |
| Germany or most of Europe | Nigeria is 1h behind | Same time |
| US East Coast | Nigeria is 5h ahead | Nigeria is 6h ahead |
| Houston (US Central) | Nigeria is 6h ahead | Nigeria is 7h ahead |
| UAE | Nigeria is 3h behind all year | |
A 7 AM call from New York reaches Nigeria at noon in the US summer and at 1 PM in the US winter.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
FAQ
Can I still dial a Lagos number that starts with 01?
Not as written. Since 1 January 2024 the old format no longer works. Add 20 after the 0: 01 234 5678 becomes 0201 234 5678, or +234 201 234 5678 from abroad.
Why won't my call to +234 go through?
Check three things: you left out the leading 0, you have exactly 10 digits after +234, and you dialed 234, not 233.