25 Dec 2024
Whether you need to ring family in Lagos, connect with friends in Abuja, or handle overseas business, knowing how to call Nigeria from the UK properly can save you serious money. Below is everything you need: the exact dialling format, what it costs on each network, and how to make completely free calls when possible.
To call Nigeria from the UK - whether from a mobile phone or a landline - simply follow this format:
00 + 234 + area code or mobile prefix (without leading 0) + local number
The international access code from the UK is 00, and the country code for Nigeria is 234. You can also replace 00 with the + symbol on most smartphones by holding down the 0 key, so +234 works identically to 00234.
A typical format for calling Nigeria includes +234 or 00234 followed by the local number without the leading zero.
Here are two concrete examples:
Lagos landline: To dial a Lagos landline written locally as 01 234 5678, you would dial 00 234 1 234 5678 from the UK.
Nigerian mobile: To call a Nigerian mobile 0803 123 4567, drop the leading zero and dial 00 234 803 123 4567. For Nigerian mobiles, dial 00234 plus the 10-digit number.
This format is the same whether you use a UK mobile, a BT landline, or an international calling card - only the cost differs. The sections below cover cheap calls, free apps, dialling code details, and the best time to plan your calls to Nigeria.
Getting the dialling code right avoids failed or misrouted calls. Every call to Nigeria from the UK has three parts:
UK exit code: 00 (or +)
Country code: 234
Local number: either an area code + subscriber number (landline) or a mobile prefix + subscriber number
Mobile prefixes: Nigerian mobile numbers start with prefixes like 070, 080, 081, 090, or 091 when dialled locally. When you call from the UK, always drop the leading zero. For example, 0908 123 4567 becomes +234 908 123 4567. Most Nigerian mobile numbers are 11 digits domestically, which means 10 digits after the country code.
Landline area codes: Nigeria has 58 area codes for different regions. Key examples:
Lagos - area code 1
Abuja - area code 9
Kano - 64
Port Harcourt - 84
Warri - 53
Sokoto - 60
To dial a Kano landline 064 123 4567 from the UK, you'd enter 00 234 64 123 4567.
One practical tip: internet based apps require saving Nigerian numbers in the international format (+234…) so your contact list works across every calling app and service provider you use.
Completely free calls to Nigeria are possible - but only when both sides use the same app over an internet connection. For reaching a regular phone without any app, very cheap alternatives exist.
Free calls via calling apps:
WhatsApp allows free calls if both users have internet. WhatsApp calls to Nigeria are free with a reliable internet connection - voice and video.
Facebook Messenger offers video calls to users in Nigeria and also supports voice-only chat.
FaceTime (Apple devices), Telegram, and Signal all work the same way.
Skype was shut down in May 2025, so it is no longer an option. Zoom remains popular for video calls, especially since lockdowns made it a household name.
The catch: both caller and receiver need a smartphone, the same app installed, and stable data or Wi-Fi. In Nigeria, 4G coverage is strong in cities like Lagos and Abuja but can be patchy in rural areas, which affects call quality.
Nearly free calls to any Nigerian number:
Services like Rebtel allow calls without internet at the Nigeria end - Rebtel connects calls without requiring an app in Nigeria. They route the call from your phone to the Nigerian network at low rates, often just a few pence per minute. Some services offer free bonus credit or a free first call so you can test quality before you pay anything.
This combination - free apps for online contacts and a cheap VoIP service for everyone else - is the cheapest way to stay in touch.
The best option depends on how often you call and whether you value convenience or the absolute lowest cost. Here is what to expect from each method.
UK landlines (BT, Sky, Virgin Media):
Standard rates are steep. Calls to Nigeria from BT cost 137.06p per minute without any add-on. Calling Nigeria from a landline can cost as little as 2p per minute if you use a dial-in access number service instead, potentially saving up to 90% compared to direct dialling.
UK mobile networks (O2, EE, Vodafone, Three):
Without an international bolt-on, regular calls are extremely expensive:
| Provider | Standard rate to Nigeria |
|---|---|
| EE | £3.42 per minute |
| O2 | £3 per minute |
| Vodafone/Three | Varies - check contract |
Always check with UK providers for international calling charges before dialing. Some networks sell international add-ons that cut costs significantly, but read the small print for fair-use limits and whether Nigerian mobiles are included.
International calling cards:
A traditional calling card lets you buy credit (say £5 or £10), dial a UK access number, then enter the Nigerian number. International calling cards can reduce costs for regular calls to Nigeria. Watch out for connection charges, maintenance fees, and per-minute rounding. Calling cards can reduce costs for regular calls, but hidden fees sometimes erode the headline rate.
App-based and VoIP services:
Rebtel rates for calls to Nigeria start from 1–3p per minute, even when the person in Nigeria has no app or data. These services combine the low rates of a calling card with the convenience of an app - no long PINs, no physical card to carry.
You can call Nigeria 24/7, but picking the right window improves both call quality and the chances the person you're calling is actually free.
Time difference: Nigeria's time zone is WAT (UTC+1) year-round with no daylight saving. The UK shifts between GMT (winter) and BST (summer):
UK winter (late Oct–late Mar): Nigeria is 1 hour ahead. 2pm London = 3pm Lagos.
UK summer (late Mar–late Oct): Same time in both countries. 7pm London = 7pm Lagos.
Recommended calling windows:
Business calls: 8am–4pm UK time on weekdays.
Family and friends: early evening UK time, when both sides have finished the day. Avoid calling past 9–10pm Lagos time on a week night.
Nigeria uses a single time zone across the entire country, so no matter whether you ring Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, or Enugu, the local time is identical.
If you're travelling outside the UK with a UK sim card, be aware of roaming charges. Use Wi-Fi calling or a VoIP app to keep control of costs.
Set up a world clock on your smartphone so you never have to worry about waking someone up.
The cheapest way to call Nigeria depends on how often you call, whether the other person has an internet connection, and whether you need to reach a landline or a mobile that isn't always online.
Key strategies:
Use Wi-Fi at home instead of mobile data when making app-based calls - this keeps your data costs down.
Compare per-minute rates for Nigerian landlines versus mobiles; some plans charge differently for each.
Check whether your UK mobile contract already includes any international minutes to Nigeria before buying a separate service.
Look beyond the headline rate. A service advertising 10p per minute might add a 20p connection fee or round every call up to the next full minute. Always compare connection charges, billing increments (per-second vs per-minute), monthly subscriptions, and credit expiry dates.
Combine methods for the best results:
Use completely free calls via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger for friends and family who are online.
Use a low-cost international calling service like Rebtel (1–3p per minute) for reaching Nigerian banks, government offices, or relatives without smartphones.
Test call quality with a short call at different times of day, especially if you rely on the connection for business or interviews. With a bit of comparison, customers in the UK can regularly pay just a few pence per minute for reliable calls to Nigeria - instead of £3+ per minute via standard mobile tariffs. Save this guide, share it with your community, and stop overpaying.
