Here's What You Need to Know Before Calling Nigeria

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To call Nigeria, you need to follow a core format: international access code + 234 + local number without the leading 0.

Civilian exchanges between China and Nigeria are very frequent. Understanding the size of the local community can help you grasp the closeness of this connection. Ojukwu Emma, chairman of the Nigerian community, once mentioned:

There are about 2,500 Nigerians in Guangzhou. This figure was collected during the last “presidential election.”

Another data point also reflects this:

• Among the 239 foreigners in quarantine hotels, 164 were Nigerians.

Key Takeaways

• To call Nigeria, you need to dial the international access code first, then the country code 234, and finally the local number without the leading 0.
• Before making a call, check the time difference between China and Nigeria to avoid calling when the other party is resting.
• If the call doesn’t go through, check if the number format is correct and confirm that you have enabled international long-distance service and have sufficient call credit.
• Using internet calling apps like WhatsApp can save money, but requires a stable internet connection.
• Be wary of phone scams; do not call back unknown numbers or disclose personal information over the phone.

How to Correctly Call Nigeria

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Mastering the correct dialing method is the first step to a successful call. International long-distance calls, which seem complicated, actually follow clear rules. Below, we will break down every step of calling Nigeria for you to ensure you can connect accurately.

Preparation: Confirm the International Access Code

Your dialing journey begins with a special code, the international access code. This code tells your telephone service provider that you are about to make an international call.

• From mainland China: You need to dial 00 first.
• Using a mobile phone: You can use the + sign instead of 00. Usually, you just need to long-press the 0 key on your phone keyboard, and the + sign will appear automatically. This symbol is the international standard.

Key Step: Enter Country Code +234

After entering the international access code, the next is Nigeria’s country code: 234. This is Nigeria’s unique identifier in the international telephone system.

Important Tip: Remove the Leading “0” This is the most common mistake when making international calls. Nigerian local numbers, whether mobile or landline, usually start with “0”. When making an international long-distance call, you must omit this “0”. For example, a Nigerian local mobile number is 080-XXXX-XXXX, and when dialing, you need to enter +234-80-XXXX-XXXX.

Distinguish Between Mobile and Landline Number Formats

Understanding Nigeria’s number structure can help you better identify and dialed numbers. Nigerian phone numbers consist of area codes and local numbers.

1. Landline Numbers

Landline numbers include a city area code. Area codes for major cities are usually one or two digits.

2. Mobile Numbers

Nigeria’s mobile numbers consist of operator prefixes and user numbers. Through the prefix, you can roughly determine which mobile network the other party is using.

Complete Dialing Format Examples

Now, let’s integrate all the steps and demonstrate how to correctly call Nigeria through two specific scenarios.

Scenario One: Calling a Lagos Landline from Mainland China

Suppose the Lagos landline number you want to contact is 01-1234567.

1. First, dial China’s international access code: 00
2. Next, enter Nigeria’s country code: 234
3. Then, enter the Lagos area code (remove the leading 0): 1
4. Finally, dial the local landline number: 1234567

Complete dialing sequence: 00-234-1-1234567

Scenario Two: Calling a Nigerian MTN Mobile from Mainland China

Suppose the MTN mobile number you want to contact is 0803-123-4567.

1. On your phone, enter the international access code: + (or 00)
2. Enter Nigeria’s country code: 234
3. Enter the MTN mobile number (remove the leading 0): 8031234567

Complete dialing sequence: +234-8031234567

Follow the above steps, and you can confidently initiate the call.

Common Reasons for Call Failure and Troubleshooting

Even if you have mastered the correct dialing format, sometimes the call still cannot connect. This may confuse you. Don’t worry; the problem usually lies in some common details. Below, we have sorted out several main reasons to help you quickly troubleshoot.

Error One: Incorrect Number Format

Incorrect dialing format is the primary reason for connection failure. When calling Nigeria, please check again if your dialing sequence has the following common errors:

• Including the leading “0”: This is the most common error. After entering the country code 234, you must omit the “0” at the beginning of the Nigerian local number.
• Forgetting the country code: Ensure your dialing starts with +234 or 00234.
• Incorrect area code: If you are calling a landline, carefully verify if the city area code is correct, such as Lagos’s area code is 1.

Error Two: Ignoring the Time Difference

The time you make the call may be late at night for the other party. Mainland China time is 7 hours ahead of Nigeria time (WAT).

Time Conversion Tip When it is 4 PM in mainland China, the local time in Nigeria is 9 AM, just starting the day’s work.

To ensure your call does not disturb the other party, it is recommended to choose an appropriate time.

• Business calls: Best to choose between 9 AM and 5 PM local time in Nigeria.
• Personal calls: 7 PM to 9 PM is a common social active time locally.

Error Three: Not Considering the Other Party’s Network Signal

Nigeria’s mobile network coverage has obvious differences between urban and rural areas. Urban areas usually have good signals, while many rural areas face challenges with unstable signals.

If the other party is in a remote area, even if the number is correct, the call may not connect due to signal issues. MTN is considered the operator with the widest coverage in Nigeria, especially performing better in rural areas. If your contact uses other operators, the signal in non-urban areas may be slightly weaker.

Check Your Own Account: Call Credit Balance and International Long-Distance Function

Finally, the problem may lie with yourself. After excluding all the above possibilities, please check your phone account:

1. Confirm that international long-distance function is enabled: Some phone plans disable international calling by default, and you need to contact the operator to enable it manually.
2. Check call credit balance: International long-distance calls are expensive. For example, some U.S. operators charge about $0.49 per minute to call Nigeria. Please ensure your account has sufficient balance to support the call.

Cost-Effective Alternative Communication Solutions

International long-distance call charges may make you hesitate. Fortunately, you have more economical options. Internet calling (VoIP) uses the internet for calls, which can help you save significantly, even achieving free communication.

Advantages of Internet Calling

Traditional calls to Nigeria may cost more than $0.30 per minute, often accompanied by various hidden fees. Internet calling provides a more transparent and cost-effective solution.

You can intuitively see the differences between the two in the table below:

Using internet calling, you don’t need to worry about high roaming fees or complicated SIM card settings, and call costs are clearer and more controllable.

Using Apps Like WhatsApp for Calls

In Nigeria, WhatsApp is a very popular communication app. As long as you and the other party have installed this app and are connected to the internet, you can make free voice or video calls.

How to Initiate a Group Call on WhatsApp?

1. Open the group chat you want to call.
2. Click the phone icon (voice call) or video icon (video call) in the top right corner.
3. The call will be initiated immediately, connecting members in the group.

Besides WhatsApp, you have many other options:

• Google Voice: Comprehensive features, considered one of the best international calling apps.
• FaceTime: If you and the other party both use Apple devices, this is an excellent free calling tool.
• Viber: Known for high cost-effectiveness, also suitable for individual users.

Potential Issues with Internet Calling

Although internet calling is cheap, call quality highly depends on the network connection. A stable network is more important than simply high speed. Usually, 100 Kbps to 500 Kbps speed is sufficient to support calls, but when the network is unstable, you may encounter the following issues:

• Audio Latency: There is obvious delay when you and the other party speak, easily leading to awkward interruptions.
• Choppy or Distorted Audio (Jitter): The other party’s voice sounds like a robot, intermittent, because data packets are transmitted irregularly.
• Audio Loss (Packet Loss): Parts of the voice are lost during the call, making it hard to hear what the other party is saying.

If your network connection can smoothly stream videos, it is likely sufficient for a clear internet call.

Safe Calling: Beware of Potential Phone Scams

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Connections with Nigeria bring opportunities but may also come with risks. Phone scams are a global issue, and understanding common tactics is the first step to protecting yourself. Scammers are very active; for example, social platform Meta recently removed tens of thousands of accounts originating from Nigeria used for financial scams.

Identify Common Scam Tactics

Scammers use various methods, but their core purpose is usually to trick you into calling back high-rate numbers or directly defrauding you of money. You need to be wary of the following common scams:

• "One Ring and Hang Up" Scam (Wangiri): This is one of the most common tactics. Your phone will ring once and then hang up, and the caller ID usually shows a strange international number. Scammers hope you call back out of curiosity; once you do, the call will be connected to a high-rate paid line, generating high charges unknowingly.
• Fake Emergencies: You may receive a text message or voice message claiming your family member is injured or in trouble abroad, needing you to call back immediately or remit money.
• Fake Official Notifications: Scammers will impersonate banks zweite, tax authorities, or courier companies. They may claim suspicious activity on your account or an undelivered package, asking you to call back a non-official number to “resolve the issue.”

Staggering Scam Losses According to survey data, in 2005 alone, Nigeria-related scams caused about $720 million in losses to U.S. individuals and companies. This reminds you to remain highly vigilant against any suspicious calls.

Principles for Protecting Personal Information

Protecting your personal information is key to preventing scams. Many scams start with your account information being leaked. Please follow the following basic principles to strengthen your digital defenses:

• Set Strong Passwords: Set complex passwords for all your communication apps (like WhatsApp) and emails. A strong password should have at least 12 characters and include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This is like adding an extra lock to your account. Even if your password is stolen, scammers cannot easily log in.
• Do Not Disclose Sensitive Information: No matter how trustworthy the other party sounds, never disclose your bank card number, password, ID number, or home address over the phone.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call

When you receive a suspicious international call, staying calm and taking the right actions is crucial.

1. Do Not Call Back: If it is an unknown international number that rings once and hangs up, ignore it directly. People who really need to reach you will call again or leave a message.
2. Search the Number Online: Before calling back, you can enter this strange number into a search engine to query. Many scam numbers have been reported by other users.
3. Block Directly: The most effective way is to block the number directly. Whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, you can easily find and block the number in your call history to prevent further harassment.

Through these simple steps, you can greatly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of phone scams and ensure your international communication is safe and smooth.

Now, you have mastered all the key information. Please remember the three elements for successfully calling Nigeria: the correct international access code (such as 00), country code 234, and the local number without the leading 0.

Small Tip Before Calling Don’t forget to check the time difference between the two places and your call credit balance, and stay vigilant against unknown calls. According to your network situation and budget, flexibly choose traditional phone or apps like WhatsApp to start your smooth and safe communication.

FAQ

Why Does My Call Connect But No One Answers?

This is likely due to the time difference. Mainland China is 7 hours ahead of Nigeria. When you make the call, the other party may be resting. It is recommended to try again during Nigeria’s local working hours (9 AM to 5 PM).

How Much Does It Cost to Call Nigeria?

International long-distance fees vary greatly. Through traditional telephone networks, the cost may be $0.30 USD per minute or higher. You can consult your telephone operator for specific rates to get accurate information.

Can I Directly Use WeChat to Call My Friend in Nigeria?

Yes, but there is a prerequisite. You and your friend must both have WeChat installed and logged in, while maintaining a stable network connection. If the other party does not use WeChat, you cannot contact them this way.

How to Quickly Determine If a Nigerian Number Is Mobile or Landline?

You can determine by the area code of the number.

1. Landline Numbers: Usually start with a city area code, such as Lagos’s area code is 1.
2. Mobile Numbers: Usually start with an operator code, such as 80, 70, etc.