Nigeria is described as the giant of Africa. Nigeria is a land of great cuisines, languages and culture and expansive natural landscapes and resources. Whether you are planning to visit the beautiful Nigeria or dialing someone calling overseas is not very simple, particularly when you are trying to dial somewhere far and vast with remote areas.
In case you want to make a call to Nigeria when abroad, in the following blog, we are discussing some of the best practices that you can make in order to get in touch with your contacts, friends and family members in Nigeria.
What are the calling codes of Nigeria?
Nigeria follows the international phone number structure so that to make a call to it, you should know the structure. Nigeria’s country code is +234. The calling format between the mobile numbers and the landlines is varied. The cell phone numbers usually begin with 7, 8 or 9 then the rest of the number comes and the telephone numbers in landlines have the area code and then the local number.
Guide to calling Nigeria
You also should be familiar with the charges that your carrier imposes on international calls to Nigeria before making the dial. Another thing to ensure is that your connection is good to eliminate the problem of latency and choppy transmission of your voice.
- Check the time in Nigeria
It is a big issue to realize the time difference when placing a call to Nigeria. In Nigeria the timezone is GMT +1 and this is at least six hours forward of the U.S. The appropriate time differences depending on your time zone are in the table below. You want to call in the morning in the U.S. with it being afternoon in Nigeria ideally.
- Dial the exit code
The U.S. exit code is 011. This code means that you are making a call abroad. This is a sign that you are making a call abroad.
- Enter Nigeria’s country code
The country code to dial Nigeria is +234.
- Enter the local number and the area code.
Begin by calling the exit code of all international call 011 which is the exit code of all U.S. origin calls. This code indicates that your call is going to be routed out of the country.
After the exit code, you must dial the country code of Nigeria, 234, to make your call to Nigeria.
The following action will be based on the calling of a landline or a mobile phone in Nigeria. If you’re calling a landline:
- Enter the area code of the particular region in Nigeria you are calling. Nigerian area codes are normally one or two digits.
- Call the local landline number that is typically seven digits.
An example would then be having a landline number in Lagos with an area-code of 1 as well as the local number of 2345678, and the number would be 011-234-1-2345678.
Conversely, when you are calling a cell phone in Nigeria, things are a little easier. The digits which constitute the Nigerian mobile numbers typically begin with 7, 8 or 9 and the area code is not required after which the country code is placed. When dialing a cell phone number in Nigeria and the number is 08031234567 in Nigeria the number would be typed as 011-234-8031234567.
Tips for a successful call
You should also make sure you have a good connection before making a call to Nigeria so you do not get disconnected. Nevertheless, a backup strategy in case of technology problems is still necessary. An example is, when the call went dead, then know whether to call back or wait until the other person makes a call to you.
It is also important to have an insight into and an admiration of the Nigerian business culture and etiquette. There are few things that one should not forget:
- Addressing someone by their titles unless you are told otherwise.
- Being polite.
- Being respectful in your talk.
Lastly, as always, be patient, and flexible, because the speed of doing business in the country will not be the same as you were used to in the U.S.
Considerations for Nigeria
Any international destination such as making calls to Nigeria may be affected by a number of factors. The following are the main factors that may influence your calls: language, time differences and other factors:
- Language and culture
Nigeria is a multilingual nation, which was colonized by the English, and it is one of the reasons that English is the official language of Nigeria. The following are typical English greetings:
- Hello–A universal greeting.
- In the morning / high noon/evening – Time-based greeting.
- What is your well-being?-An excellent manner of beginning a chat.
Nigerian Pidgin is a social and cultural language. “Hello! How you dey?”–which means “Hello! How are you?” in English–is a kind of polite way to begin a conversation when communicating with a Nigerian.
Other languages that are dominant in Nigeria other than the English Yoruba are Igbo and Hausa.
- Time zones
Timing is paramount with international calls as a result of time differences. Nigeria has West Africa Time Zone (WAT). Here is a fast reference to the time difference:
| US Time Zones | Nigeria |
| Eastern (EST) | 6 hours ahead |
| Central (CST) | 7 hours ahead |
| Mountain (MST) | 8 hours ahead |
| Pacific (PST) | 9 hours ahead |
Advantages of dialing Nigerian Cell Phone Numbers.
There are various advantages of calling Nigerian telephone numbers when out of the country, either as an individual or a business person. The right dialing procedure and the services of trusted providers can help improve your communication quite a bit. Here are the key benefits:
- Uninterrupted Global communication.
You may want to know the country code, the area code, and the local number format by following this you will be able to make sure that your call to Nigeria reaches successfully. This information makes it easier to make a call and prevents possible mistakes in making an international connection.
- Clarity and Accuracy
The dialing can be completed accurately due to the knowledge of the formats of landline, mobile, and toll-free numbers in Nigeria. The landline numbers have an area code and afterwards a subscriber number, and mobile numbers commence with a network code. This will make certain that your call is sent to the right receiver, either on landline or on a mobile phone.
- Cost-Effective Communication
The costs will be minimized by employing the services of reliable telecom services providers or VoIP such as Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber, which enhances the quality of calls. Such services usually provide either cheap or no-charge calling services and as such, it is now easy to connect with friends, family and business associates in Nigeria without having to worry about expensive international calling rates.
- Improved Business opportunities.
In the case of businesses, calling the Nigerian phone numbers can be a new discovery and a way of improving relations with clients and partners. You can make sure that your business communication will be received well and effective by calling in Nigeria at the time when the country is likely to be at the business and not on weekends or during public holidays.
- Greater Customer Satisfaction.
In the case of businesses in Nigeria, customer service is improved by offering toll-free numbers (i.e. 0800, 0808, and 0700). Instead of paying to call, the customers can contact you to seek help or ask questions, which means that customers will be more satisfied and dedicated to the services you offer.
- Convience and Flexibility.
Time zone conversion using online tools and mobile applications can make you schedule your calls and do so at a convenient time. This guarantees that you are calling at the right time, considerate of the time of the recipient and no late-night or early-morning nuisance.
- Fraud Prevention
The awareness of possible fraud and the use of official directories to check Nigerian numbers can save you and keep you out of fraud. This caution makes your phone calls secure and makes sure that you are dealing with legit organizations.
In Conclusion
Conclusively, when making phone calls to Nigerian phone numbers abroad, one has to be aware of the proper format, which consists of country code +234, proper area code and local subscriber number. Dialing landline, mobile or toll-free numbers, it is important to follow this format in order to make right and successful connection. Calls can be improved and be more affordable using trusted service providers such as Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber. Another important thing is to verify the time zone difference so as not to call at wrong time.
Also, it is important to know about scams when calling Nigeria internationally. Nigerian fraud can be avoided by checking the official sources such as the Nigerian Communication Commission and observing suspicious actions. Although it is possible to use several services to make free calls. It is also possible to make the calling experience more efficient by knowing the difference between landline and mobile numbers, as well as the advantages of VoIP services. With these tips, you will be guaranteed safe and efficient communication with the Nigerian contacts.
FAQs
Q1.What is the format of a Nigeria phone number?
A Nigeria phone number has the number format of +234 XXX XXX XXXX where its country code, area code and subscriber number are.
Q2. What is the Nigeria code?
Nigeria has country code +234. It is applied in the international calling to Nigeria when calling abroad.
Q3. Are all the numbers of the phones the same in Nigeria?
No, Nigerian phone numbers have several varieties, based on the kind of a number. The structure and format of mobile numbers are different as compared to landline numbers.
Q4. What to do to make a call to a Nigerian phone number in another country?
Making a call to a Nigerian phone number in a different country requires a dialer of your own country exit code, country code of Nigeria ( +234 ), area code and subscriber number of the recipient.
Q5. Does it have special area codes of the Nigerian phone numbers?
Yes, there are special area codes of Nigerian phone numbers. As an example, Abuja has the area code 9 and Lagos the area code 1. They are applied in intra-Nigeria calling.
