Last reviewed: 2025-01-07 · Reading time: 5 minutes
How do you dial Nigeria from United Kingdom?
- Country code
+234- Mobile numbers
-
Example:
+234 803 123 4567Mobile numbers are 10 digits starting with 7, 8, or 9. Drop the leading 0—dial +234 803, not +234 0803.
- Landline numbers
-
Example:
+234 1 234 5678Lagos landlines start with 1. Abuja is 9. Landlines are less common—most Nigerians use mobile.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Keeping the leading 0—dial +234 803, not +234 0803
- Assuming poor call quality—Nigerian mobile networks have improved significantly
- Not trying again if a call fails—network congestion can cause initial failures
When is the best time to call Nigeria?
Timezone: WAT (UTC+1)—same as UK winter time, 1 hour ahead during UK summer
Same time
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM WAT (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM UK time (winter) / 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM UK time (summer) your time)
Almost no time conversion needed. Your evening is their evening.
Business hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM WAT (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM UK time (winter) / 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM UK time (summer) your time)
Perfect overlap for business calls. Nigerian business culture is relationship-focused.
What should you know about calling Nigeria?
Nigeria has four major mobile carriers: MTN (largest), Airtel, Glo, and
9mobile. Mobile coverage is good in cities and along major routes. Rural
areas can be patchy. Almost everyone uses mobile—landlines are mainly
for businesses and government.
Call quality to Lagos, Abuja, and other major cities is generally good.
Network congestion during peak hours (evenings, holidays) can affect
quality. If a call doesn't connect, wait a moment and try again.
Cultural tips
Nigerians are warm and enjoy conversation—calls often run longer than
expected. Sunday afternoons after church are popular for family calls.
Greet elders properly before getting to business. For business calls,
building rapport matters more than getting straight to the point.
Holidays to know
Christmas and New Year are major holidays with family gatherings.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are important in the Muslim north. Easter
weekend is significant. October 1 is Independence Day. During holidays,
network congestion can make calling difficult—try off-peak hours.
Alternatives to phone calls
WhatsApp is hugely popular in Nigeria for both messaging and calls.
Many Nigerians prefer WhatsApp calls over regular phone calls due to
cost. Facebook Messenger is also widely used. For business contacts,
WhatsApp Business is common.
Frequently asked questions
What's the time difference between the UK and Nigeria?
Nigeria (UTC+1) uses West Africa Time year-round:
- UK winter (GMT/UTC+0): Nigeria is 1 hour ahead
- UK summer (BST/UTC+1): Same time as Nigeria
Nigeria doesn't observe daylight saving. During British Summer Time,
you're in the same timezone—no conversion needed.
What do Nigerian mobile number prefixes mean?
MTN: 0803, 0806, 0813, 0814, 0816, 0903, 0906, 0913, 0916
Airtel: 0802, 0808, 0812, 0902, 0907, 0912
Glo: 0805, 0807, 0811, 0815, 0905, 0915
9mobile: 0809, 0817, 0818, 0908, 0909
Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally.
What are the area codes for Nigerian cities?
Landlines are uncommon, but for reference:
Lagos: 1
Abuja: 9
Port Harcourt: 84
Kano: 64
Ibadan: 2
Most Nigerians use mobile numbers exclusively.
Why do calls to Nigeria sometimes fail on first attempt?
Nigerian mobile networks can experience congestion, especially during
peak hours (evenings) and holidays. If a call doesn't connect, wait
30 seconds and try again. The second or third attempt usually succeeds.
This is normal and not a problem with your service.
Is WhatsApp calling reliable to Nigeria?
Yes, WhatsApp calling works well to Nigeria when the recipient has
good internet. Many Nigerians use WhatsApp as their primary
communication method. Video quality depends on their connection—
voice-only calls are more reliable than video to areas with slower
internet.