Nigeria phone code +234: mobile format & how to dial

Key facts

International code+234

International format+234 XXX XXX XXXXe.g. +234 803 123 4567

Mobile prefixesXXX XXX XXXXe.g. 803 123 4567

Mobile length10 digits

Domestic trunk0

How to read a number

First draft — not yet verified item by item

+2348031234567

+234Country code: Nigeria.
803Mobile prefix (example): Written 0803 domestically — 0 is the trunk prefix, dropped when dialling from abroad. Other mobile ranges are listed under “Number ranges & quality”.
1234567Remaining 7 digits: Allocated to carriers in blocks; usually doesn’t reveal the current carrier.

Domestic format: 0803 123 4567.

This section checked 2026-09-13.

Number ranges & quality

Range	Type	Notes
`07xx / 08xx / 09xx (11 digits)`	Mobile carrier	Nigerian mobile ranges (MTN / Airtel / Glo / 9mobile).

Intl SMSStable

Virtual-number riskMedium

ID requiredReal-name registration with a NIN is required.

Physical SIMs can sign up without issues.

Carriers & prefixes

Mobile prefixes by carrier.

First draft — not yet verified item by item

Number portability status unverified.

MTN Mobile carrier

Owner: MTN
Airtel Mobile carrier

Owner: Bharti Airtel
Glo Mobile Mobile carrier

Owner: Globacom
T2 Mobile carrier

Owner: LH Telecommunication

Show 2 more

ntel Mobile carrier

Owner: NatCom Development & Investment
mcom Mobile carrier

Owner: Mafab Communications

This section checked 2026-09-13. Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_in_the_Middle_East_and_Africa

SIM cards & keeping a number

Nigerian SIMs are registered under NCC rules: foreigners resident two years or more need a NIN; shorter-stay foreigners use their passport bio page plus an embassy letter confirming a stay under two years. Prepaid lines unused for 6 months are deactivated and can be recycled after another 6 months (about 360 days).

MTN / Airtel / Glo prepaid

Local prepaid

Network: MTN / Airtel / Glo / 9mobile
Price: Varies
Keeping the number: A chargeable call, SMS or data use within 6 months or the line is deactivated; recycled after about 360 days without activity
ID check: Short-stay foreigners: passport bio page plus embassy letter; residents: NIN
SMS & calls: A normal Nigerian number

Pros

Use once every six months

Watch out

Foreign registration needs an embassy letter

Sources: www.ncc.gov.ng/sites/default/files/2025-07/Business-Rules-for-the-Registration-of-Communications-Subscribers-Regulations-2025.pdf · www.thecable.ng/ncc-nin-sim-linkage-not-applicable-to-expatriates-living-in-nigeria-under-2-years · technext24.com/2026/02/23/nigerias-tricky-sim-recycling-system

From user and blogger reports; platform risk rules change often — treat as a guide only. This section checked 2026-09-14.

Sign-up availability

What to expect when signing up for these services with a physical SIM from this country:

ChatGPT Works

Claude Works

WhatsApp Works

Telegram Works

LINE Works

WeChat Works

X Works

TikTok Works

Gemini Works

Jump to another country

Calling Nigeria from abroad

Dial +234, then the local number. Drop the leading trunk prefix 0.

Generate the full number →

Dialing within Nigeria

For domestic long distance dial 0 first, then the area code. Local calls and mobiles: dial directly.

Elsewhere in Africa

Community tips

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Common premise & disclaimer

Applies to every platform: VoIP / virtual numbers and heavily-reused number pools get rejected. Physical SIM only.

Checked 2026-09-12. Platform region policies and number-range allocations change — always confirm against each platform’s official supported-regions list and the carrier’s notices.

Sources：www.anthropic.com/supported-countries · support.google.com/gemini?p=gemini_web_availability

Nigeria +234