The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new numbering format for fixed lines in Nigeria, primarily used by businesses.
The telecom regulator announced that fixed lines will now include the prefix “02” before their original numbers.
This change aligns with the NCC’s responsibilities under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 to manage the country’s numbering resources.
Nigeria extends fixed line numbers
The new format extends Nigeria’s fixed-line numbering from eight to ten digits by adding the “02” prefix before the existing fixed numbers.
Existing numbers will continue to operate concurrently with the new format until December 31, 2023. Starting from January 1, 2024, the new numbering format, beginning with the “02” prefix, will become fully operational.
Both old and new formats will coexist until the cutoff date, after which the new format will be recognized across all networks.
The current format for numbers like 09461700, 014630643 (Lagos), 094630643 (Abuja), 084460643 (Port Harcourt), and 064460643 (Kano) will change to 02094617000, 02014630643, 02094630643, 02084460643, and 02064460643, respectively, in the new numbering format.
It’s important to note that this change only applies to fixed telephone numbers, and there will be no alterations to the existing mobile numbering format.
The NCC’s announcement is in line with its responsibilities and international telecommunications standards set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency overseeing ICT matters.