How to call Nigeria from the UK
Dialling codes, number formats for mobiles and landlines, the time difference and the ways to call Nigeria from the UK.
Updated 1 October 2026
To call Nigeria from the UK, put three things in front of the local number: the code for dialling out of the UK, Nigeria's country code (+234) and the number without its first 0.
The quick version
- From a UK mobile or landline: dial 00, then 234, then the number without its first 0, for example 00 234 803 XXX XXXX.
- From a smartphone you can type + instead of 00: +234 803 XXX XXXX.
- In DanaTel: type 234 (the + is already there), then the number without its first 0, or paste a number that starts with +234. The dialer shows Nigeria and the price as soon as it recognises the code.
Calling a mobile in Nigeria
A mobile number written locally as 0803 XXX XXXX becomes +234 803 XXX XXXX when you call from the UK. If the number already starts with +234 or 00234, don't add the code again.
Calling a landline
Landline numbers start with an area code. Drop the area code's 0 and keep the rest:
| City | Written locally | From the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos | 01 | +234 1 |
| Abuja | 09 | +234 9 |
| Ibadan | 02 | +234 2 |
What it costs
There are three common ways to call, and the costs work differently:
- Your UK phone plan. Calls abroad usually aren't part of your monthly minutes and are charged per minute at your provider's international rate, unless you buy an international add-on. Check your provider's price list before a long call.
- Internet calling apps. Free when both of you have the same app and a good data connection, but they don't help when the person you're calling isn't online.
- Browser calling with DanaTel. You call from your browser and they answer their normal phone. You pay a per-minute rate shown before you dial, billed in 6-second steps, and unanswered calls are free.
When to call
Nigeria is 1 hour ahead in the UK winter and on the same time in the UK summer. A call at 7pm UK time reaches Nigeria at 8pm in winter (7pm in summer).
Good to know
Most people in Nigeria use mobile numbers, which have 10 digits after +234. They start with 7, 8 or 9 once the first 0 is removed.
Ready to call? See DanaTel's rate for Nigeria, or create a free account and top up from £5.