How to call Nigeria from the UK
Do you have friends and family living in Nigeria? Or perhaps you need to make regular calls for business purposes? Whatever your reason for wanting to call Nigeria from the UK, you’ve come to the right place.
Approximately 178,000 Nigerian nationals were residing in the United Kingdom in 2021, which is a figure that continues to rise every year. Similarly, the number of Nigerians studying in the UK rose from 13,020 in the 2019/2020 academic year to 21,305 by 2020/2021, representing a 64% increase.
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WorldRemit Content Team
• 4 mins read • Updated
How to call Nigeria from the UK for free
A lot of people assume that calling Nigeria from the UK is going to be expensive, and in the past this was certainly the case. However, for the more tech-savvy callers, there are now various ways of making calls for free. Whether it’s using apps, web messengers or social media platforms, there are plenty of ways of saving your hard-earned cash. In most instances, all you will need is a smartphone, tablet or laptop – as well as the app of your choice.
Arguably the most popular way of making calls to Nigeria and other locations around the world is WhatsApp. Whether your loved ones live in Lagos or Abuja, as long as they have the WhatsApp app downloaded onto their smart device and access to a reliable WiFi connection, they are ready to go. You’re also able to set up a group call, which means you can chat with several people at the same time, no matter where they are located.
Alternative options include Zoom and Skype, which have surged in popularity in recent years as a result of Covid-19 lockdowns. If you are keeping in touch with people of a slightly older age demographic, then they may find these two platforms easier to use than WhatsApp, especially if they are using a laptop or computer.
Equally, Facebook now has a video call function on its messaging service that allows you to set up calls with people in Nigeria. As of December 2022, there were around 28 million Facebook users in Nigeria, so this is likely to be a popular choice.
How to call Nigeria from a UK landline
Despite not being the cheapest option, this is still the most convenient for many people. However, you should be aware that the standard BT international rate for calls to Nigeria will set you back 137.06p/min.
Luckily, there are now various companies who offer cheaper alternatives when making international calls from a UK landline. We would just advise that you make sure you thoroughly check the full terms and conditions for each company and its service before you commit. Companies like Talk Home App offer this kind of service.
Make sure that you take a look at the Nigerian area codes we have listed further down this article for assistance.
How to call Nigeria from a UK mobile
Calls from a UK mobile will vary in cost depending on your provider, but they can often be more expensive than using a landline. As you are using your mobile, we would recommend using some of the free apps we have listed in this article, rather than relying on phone calls.
With O2? Then you can expect to pay £3 a minute if you are a pay monthly customer. With EE? You will pay slightly more at £3.42 a minute. Before you know it, you could have an extortionate phone bill on your hands, so please do check the rates for your provider before you choose this option.
How to call from the UK to Nigeria: other methods
If none of the above methods takes your fancy and you are still wondering how to call Nigeria from the UK, then here are several more options.
International calling card
You regularly make calls to Nigeria and do not want to pay extortionate costs every time, so getting an international calling card is a good choice. In the UK, both the Post Office and Travelex offer good international calling cards, making it easier and more affordable to stay in touch with loved ones. There are different suppliers to choose from, so just be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any hidden costs when comparing which is the best.
Laptop or computer
Despite the rapid growth in smartphone usage, using a laptop or computer is still a popular way of making calls internationally. By doing so, you are able to see a larger image of the person you are calling and you do not have to use your hands to hold the device. Skype and Zoom are popular choices for making video calls. All that you and your loved one needs is a stable internet connection.
Apps
There are dozens of apps available on your smartphone or tablet to get in touch with people internationally. WhatsApp, FaceTime (used by Apple users) and Google Voice are all leading names that allow you to make calls abroad. Important considerations before you download apps include: performance, security, features and costs. Talk 360, Rebtel and Talk Home Mobile are lesser-known alternatives that still do a good job.
Nigeria area codes
Now you know how to call Nigeria from the UK using your landline or mobile, it is always handy to have a list of area codes so that you are confident of using the correct format when dialling the number.
Simply follow this step-by-step process:
Enter the 00 exit code for the UK. Not only do you need to do this when calling Nigeria, but it is also essential for any phone call abroad.
Dial 234, which is the country code of Nigeria.
Lastly, you will need to enter the right area code and the rest of the telephone number. In total, there are 58 area codes in Nigeria. Below, we have listed some of the main ones, but you can check out the full area code list here.
Sapele 54
Sokoto 60
Kano 64
Bauchi 77
Makurdi 44
Warri 53
Zaria 69
Maiduguri 76
Ahoada 86
When is the best time to call Nigeria from the UK?
Nobody wants to be rudely awakened in the middle of the night or during a challenging day at work. Fortunately, because the time difference between Nigeria and the UK is one hour ahead, you greatly reduce the chances of this happening. Plus, because the UK observes daylight saving time from March to October, the time difference will be exactly the same during this time.
Staying in touch with your loved ones in Nigeria
Helping you stay in touch with your loved ones back home is important to WorldRemit and our community. You can call your family and friends in Nigeria from the UK or you can send airtime top up to Nigeria with WorldRemit to make sure they always have their data topped up. That way they can surprise you with a call.
You can also support them with our excellent low cost, online money transfer service to Nigeria: one that allows to send fast and secure money transfers. We offer you a choice of ways for your money to be received: cash pick-up, bank transfer, mobile money and airtime top up.
Sign up now
Useful resources
– a list of the best international phone call apps.
– list of area codes for Nigeria.
– different mobile phone networks in the UK.
This communication is intended for marketing purposes only and does not constitute or provide legal, tax, investment or financial planning related advice.
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