The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has established a new numbering system for fixed lines in line with its mandate under the enabling law, the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.
The Commission has stated that the Fixed-Lines Numbering Format in Nigeria has been expanded from eight to ten digits, with the “02” prefix simply added to the beginning of all current eight-digit fixed numbers.
Until the cut-over date of December 31, 2023, current numbers will continue to function concurrently, as the Commission explains below.
The document states that the new numbering scheme, with the “02” prefix, will go into effect on January 1, 2024.
It was clarified that, until the transition date (December 31, 2023) both the old and new number formats can coexist.
The Commission has said that the new fixed-lines format will be universally recognized by all networks as of January 1, 2024.
In the new arrangement, for instance, you would dial 02094617000 rather than the previously used 09461700.
In other words, the present 014630643, 094630643, 084460643, and 064460643 in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano will become 02014630643, 02094630643, 02084460643, and 02064460643 under the new numbering system.
It’s worth emphasizing, though, that this modification only applies to Fixed Telephone Numbers. The format of current cellphone numbers will not be altered in any way.
This proclamation is in line with the policies of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the branch of the United Nations responsible for supervising Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and thus fulfills a crucial role of the NCC.
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