How to Dial Someone in Nigeria

Nigeria is a country located in West Africa, with a population of over 200 million people. It is a diverse country with over 500 ethnic groups, each with its own unique language and culture. In this article, we will discuss how to dial someone in Nigeria.

Understanding Nigerian Phone Numbers

Before we dive into how to dial someone in Nigeria, it is important to understand Nigerian phone numbers. Nigerian phone numbers consist of 11 digits, and they always start with either "080," "081," "090," "070," "091," or "0811." The first three digits represent the mobile network code, while the remaining eight digits make up the subscriber number.

Dialing a Nigerian Phone Number

To dial a Nigerian phone number, you need to follow these steps:

1. Dial the exit code for your country – If you are dialing from outside Nigeria, you need to dial your country's exit code first. For instance, if you are dialing from the United States, you need to dial "011."

2. Dial the country code for Nigeria – The country code for Nigeria is "234."

3. Dial the mobile network code – The mobile network code is the first three digits of the Nigerian phone number.

4. Dial the subscriber number – The subscriber number is the remaining eight digits of the Nigerian phone number.

5. Press the call button – Once you have entered the Nigerian phone number, press the call button, and you will be connected to the person you are calling.

For example, if you are dialing a Nigerian phone number that starts with "080," the dialing sequence would be as follows:

011-234-80XXXXXXXX

Making International Calls to Nigeria

If you are making an international call to Nigeria, you need to follow these steps:

1. Dial the exit code for your country – If you are dialing from outside Nigeria, you need to dial your country's exit code first.

2. Dial the country code for Nigeria – The country code for Nigeria is "234."

3. Dial the mobile network code – The mobile network code is the first three digits of the Nigerian phone number.

4. Dial the subscriber number – The subscriber number is the remaining eight digits of the Nigerian phone number.

5. Enter the + sign – After dialing the Nigerian phone number, enter the + sign.

6. Dial the international country code – This is the code for the country you are calling from. For example, if you are calling from the United States, the country code is "1."

7. Dial the area code – This is the code for the area you are calling. If you are calling from the United States, you do not need to dial the area code.

8. Dial the phone number – This is the phone number of the person you are calling.

For example, if you are calling a Nigerian phone number that starts with "080" from the United States, the dialing sequence would be as follows:

011-234-80XXXXXXXX+1-XXX-XXX-XXXX

Tips for Dialing Someone in Nigeria

1. Make sure you have the correct phone number – Double-check the phone number before dialing to avoid calling the wrong person.

2. Check the time difference – Nigeria is in the West African Time Zone, which is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States.

3. Be patient – Sometimes, network connectivity in Nigeria can be unreliable. If the call does not go through, try again later.

4. Use an international calling card – International calling cards can help you save money on international calls to Nigeria.

5. Use a VoIP service – VoIP services like Skype and WhatsApp can be used to make international calls to Nigeria.

Conclusion

Dialing someone in Nigeria is easy once you understand the Nigerian phone number system. Remember to double-check the phone number before dialing, check the time difference, be patient, and use an international calling card or VoIP service to save money on international calls.

FAQs

1. Can I dial a Nigerian phone number without the country code?
   No, you need to include the country code for Nigeria when dialing a Nigerian phone number from outside the country.

2. How much does it cost to make an international call to Nigeria?
   The cost of making an international call to Nigeria varies depending on your phone carrier and the country you are calling from.

3. Can I use WhatsApp to make calls to Nigeria?
   Yes, you can use WhatsApp to make calls to Nigeria as long as you have a stable internet connection.

4. Can I use Skype to make calls to Nigeria?
   Yes, you can use Skype to make calls to Nigeria as long as you have a stable internet connection.

5. How do I get an international calling card?
   You can purchase an international calling card from your phone carrier or from a retail store that sells phone cards.