What is the country code for Nigeria?

Nigeria's country code is +234, assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). When calling from the UK, dial 00 234 or +234 followed by the local number without the leading 0.

How much does it cost to call Nigeria with Sayfone?

Sayfone charges 34¢/min (USD) for calls to Nigerian landlines and mobiles. The rate is billed per minute with transparent per-minute pricing.

What is the time difference between the UK and Nigeria?

Nigeria uses West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1) year-round with no daylight saving. During UK winter (GMT, UTC+0), Nigeria is 1 hour ahead. During UK summer (BST, UTC+1), both countries are on the same time.

How do I dial a Nigerian mobile number from the UK?

Drop the leading 0 from the Nigerian mobile number and prefix it with +234. For example, if the local number is 0803 123 4567, dial +234 803 123 4567. On a UK landline, replace the + with 00 (i.e., 00234 803 123 4567).

Have Nigerian landline area codes changed recently?

Yes. In 2023, Nigeria's NCC updated fixed-line area codes by adding '20' as a prefix. For example, Lagos changed from 01 to 0201 domestically (or +234 201 internationally), and Abuja changed from 09 to 0209 (+234 209). The old format is no longer accepted as of January 2024.

Do I need to download an app to use Sayfone?

No. Sayfone works directly in your browser on desktop, tablet, or mobile. There is no app to install.

What are the common Nigerian mobile prefixes I should know?

Nigerian mobile numbers commonly start with 070, 080, 081, 090, or 091. When dialing internationally, drop the leading 0 — so 0803 becomes +234 803, for example.

When is the best time to call Nigeria from the UK?

For personal calls, evenings between 6 PM and 9 PM UK time work well — this is evening in Nigeria too (especially during BST when clocks align). For business calls, 9 AM to 4 PM UK time overlaps with Nigerian working hours.

UK → Nigeria Calling

Call Nigeria from the UK at 34¢/min

Over 270,000 Nigeria-born residents live in England and Wales. Whether you're calling family in Lagos or colleagues in Abuja, Sayfone lets you connect from your browser with transparent per-minute pricing.

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34¢/min to Nigerian landlines and mobiles
Call from your browser — no app download needed
Transparent per-minute pricing

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🇬🇧From United Kingdom

To Nigeria🇳🇬

$0.34

Per minute

+234

Country code

Call quality

🇬🇧

Active callers now: 261

Landline rate

$0.34/min

Mobile rate

$0.34/min

Same per-minute Sayfone rate for landline and mobile.

Average call quality

Estimate

Calculate your cost

Drag the slider to set your monthly minutes and call type for Nigeria. The totals below estimate what that volume could cost per month at typical retail rates compared to Sayfone—so you can see the full picture before you dial.

Monthly call minutes

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220

min / month

Call type

AT&T / Verizon$3,665

~$16.66/min

T-Mobile$2,768

~$12.58/min

Calling cards$1,646

~$7.48/min

Google Voice$374

~$1.70/min

Sayfone$75

$0.340/min

Annual saving vs. AT&T

Based on 220 min/month

$43,085

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WHY THIS ROUTE MATTERS

Why people in the UK call Nigeria

The UK hosts one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in Europe. Calls on this route are driven by deep family ties, active remittance corridors, and growing professional connections.

Family & Community Ties

The UK-Nigeria corridor is one of the strongest diaspora calling routes in Europe. The 2021 Census recorded over 270,000 Nigeria-born residents in England and Wales alone, with communities concentrated in London boroughs like Peckham, Hackney, and Lewisham. Regular voice calls remain essential for staying close to relatives back home.

270,768 Nigeria-born residents recorded in the 2021 Census for England and Wales (ONS)
London hosts the largest concentration of Nigerians in the UK

Remittances & Financial Coordination

Nigeria is one of the top three destinations for remittances sent from the UK, alongside India and Pakistan. Many calls on this route are linked to coordinating money transfers, checking on family finances, and discussing property or business investments back in Nigeria.

Nigeria is among the top 3 UK remittance destinations (Migration Observatory, Oxford)
Nigeria received $20.93 billion in total remittance inflows in 2024 (CBN)

Professional & Educational Links

Nigeria and the UK share deep educational and professional ties rooted in a long colonial and post-colonial history. Nigerian students are among the largest groups of international students in British universities. Many UK-based Nigerian professionals maintain business and mentoring relationships that rely on regular phone calls to Nigeria.

Nigerian students historically among the top 3 largest international student groups in UK higher education
Long-established professional community in healthcare, law, finance, and tech

PRICING

Rates for calling Nigeria from the UK

Sayfone offers a straightforward rate for calls to Nigeria — 34¢/min to both landlines and mobiles. No bundles to manage, no expiring credits.

Did you know?

Nigeria is among the top three destinations for remittances sent from the UK. Many UK-based Nigerians coordinate transfers and family support by phone — making affordable international calling rates especially valuable on this corridor.

Call Nigeria at 34¢/min

Sayfone rates to Nigeria

Destination	Type	Rate/min
Nigeria	Landline	34¢/min
Nigeria	Mobile	34¢/min

Rate shown in USD. Billed per minute with transparent per-minute pricing.

GETTING STARTED

How to call Nigeria from the UK with Sayfone

Calling Nigeria takes just a few steps. Sayfone runs in your browser — no app install required.

Instant access

Step 1

Open Sayfone in your browser

Visit Sayfone from any browser on your computer, tablet, or phone. No app download or installation is needed.

Dialer

+00 000 000 00

123

Start Calling Now

Step 2

Enter the Nigerian number

Type the full number including Nigeria's country code +234, followed by the local number without the leading 0. For example, to call a Lagos mobile starting with 0803, enter +234 803 XXX XXXX.

HD audio from your browser

Step 3

Review the rate and call

Confirm the displayed rate of 34¢/min, then place your call. Your call connects over the internet from the UK to any Nigerian landline or mobile.

COMMON CHALLENGES

Challenges when calling Nigeria from the UK

International calls to Nigeria can involve a few common pitfalls. Understanding them helps you connect more reliably.

Dialing format confusion

Nigerian numbers use an 11-digit domestic format (starting with 0), but when calling internationally you must drop the leading 0 and dial +234 followed by the remaining digits. Getting this wrong is one of the most common causes of failed calls.

Updated fixed-line area codes

In 2023, Nigeria's regulator (NCC) updated fixed-line numbering by adding '20' to existing area codes. For example, Lagos changed from 01 to 0201 domestically, and +234 201 internationally. If you have old landline numbers saved, they may need updating.

High carrier international rates

Calling Nigeria from a UK mobile or landline through your carrier can be expensive. International rates from traditional carriers vary widely, so it's worth checking the cost before dialing and considering browser-based alternatives.

Network variability in Nigeria

Call quality to Nigeria can vary depending on the recipient's local network conditions, particularly in rural areas. Calls to major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt tend to be more consistent.

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Call duration12 minutes

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Your call

Your call will cost

$4.08

$0.34 per minute

Sayfone$4.08$0.34 / min

Competitors$10.20$0.85 / min

Your savings$6.12$0.51 / min

That's 60% less than competitors

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TIPS & TIMING

Best times and tips for calling Nigeria from the UK

Nigeria operates on West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1) year-round with no daylight saving changes. The UK shifts between GMT (UTC+0) in winter and BST (UTC+1) in summer, which affects the time difference.

🇳🇬

During UK winter (late October to late March), Nigeria is 1 hour ahead. During UK summer (BST), the UK and Nigeria share the same clock time. Plan your calls accordingly.

Time & windows

UK Winter (GMT)

Nigeria is 1 hour ahead

Late October – late March. When it's 6 PM in London, it's 7 PM in Lagos.

UK Summer (BST)

Same time as Nigeria

Late March – late October. BST and WAT are both UTC+1, so clocks align.

🇬🇧Best for personal calls

6 PM – 9 PM UK timeEvening in the UK, evening/night in Nigeria — most people are home from work.

🇬🇧Best for business calls

8 AM – 4 PM UK timeOverlaps with standard Nigerian business hours (9 AM – 5 PM WAT during UK winter; same hours during BST).

🇬🇧Avoid

After 10 PM UK timeThis is 11 PM or later in Nigeria (during GMT). Late-night calls may be unwelcome.

Calling tips

Always dial +234 followed by the local number without the leading 0. For mobile numbers, this gives you a format like +234 803 XXX XXXX.
If calling a Nigerian landline, check whether the area code has been updated to the new format (e.g., Lagos is now +234 201 XXX XXXX internationally).
Save Nigerian contacts in full international format (+234 XXX XXX XXXX) to avoid confusion when dialing.
If a call doesn't connect, wait a moment and try again — network congestion in Nigeria can cause temporary failures, especially during peak hours.

Business etiquette

Greetings matter in Nigerian business culture. Start calls with a warm greeting and ask about the other person's wellbeing before discussing business.
Titles and formality are valued, especially with senior contacts. Use 'Sir', 'Ma', or professional titles unless invited to use first names.
Punctuality for scheduled calls is appreciated, though flexibility is common. Confirm call times in advance, especially if spanning time zones.
If calling during Ramadan or other religious observances, be mindful of prayer times and adjusted schedules.

Sources

1
Wikipedia — Time in Nigeria
Nigeria WAT UTC+1 year-round, no DST

POPULAR DESTINATIONS

Popular cities to call in Nigeria

Most calls from the UK to Nigeria connect to these major cities, each home to significant diaspora-linked communities.

Lagos

Call Nigeria from United Kingdom

Nigeria's largest city and commercial capital, Lagos is home to many families connected to the UK diaspora. As a major financial hub and cultural centre, it is likely the single popular destination on this route. International landline format: +234 201 XXX XXXX.

Best time to call from United Kingdom: 6 PM – 9 PM UK time (evening in both countries during BST; 7–10 PM in Lagos during GMT)

Abuja

Call Nigeria from United Kingdom

Nigeria's capital and administrative centre, Abuja is a key destination for business and government-related calls from the UK. Many embassies and international organisations are based here. International landline format: +234 209 XXX XXXX.

Best time to call from United Kingdom: 9 AM – 4 PM UK time for business calls (overlaps Nigerian business hours)

Port Harcourt

Call Nigeria from United Kingdom

The capital of Rivers State and a major oil and gas hub, Port Harcourt has strong professional links to the UK energy sector. Many UK-based Nigerians originate from the Niger Delta region. International landline format: +234 2084 XXX XXXX.

Best time to call from United Kingdom: 6 PM – 9 PM UK time for personal calls

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