From January 1, 2024, the “02” prefix will be added to Nigeria’s Fixed-Lines Numbering Format, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced.
Announcing this in a statement, NCC said the alteration is in keeping with its responsibilities under the enabling law, the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, to manage Nigeria’s numbering resources, has announced a new numbering format for fixed lines.
“Nigeria’s Fixed-Lines Numbering Format has changed from eight digits to 10 digits by just adding “02” prefix before the existing fixed number,” it announced in the statement signed by Reuben Mouka, Director of Public Affairs at the Commission.
The Commission however clarified that existing numbers will continue to operate concurrently till the cut-over date of December 31, 2023. Meaning, that the old and new number formats are allowed to run concurrently till the cut-over date (December 31, 2023). Thereafter (from January 1, 2024), the new fixed-lines format will assume full recognition across all networks.
What this means is that from January 1, 2024, instead of dialing the hitherto existing number, 09461700, fixed-line users are expected to dial 02094617000.
Additional examples are: For Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano’s current number format of 014630643, 094630643, 084460643 and 064460643, will now be 02014630643, 02094630643, 02084460643 and 02064460643 respectively in the new numbering format.