The Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), in keeping with its responsibilities under the enabling law, the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, to manage Nigeria’s numbering resources, has announced new numbering format for fixed lines.
In the process, Nigeria’s Fixed-Lines Numbering Format has changed from eight digits to 10 digits by just adding “02” prefix before existing fixed number.
The commission, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Reuben Muoka, informed the public of the changes and also clarified that existing numbers would continue to operate concurrently till the cut-over date of December 31, 2023.
“From January 1, 2024, the new numbering format beginning with “02” prefix will be operational,” NCC announced.
“In other words, 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.
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“For example, in the new order, to dial the hitherto existing number, 09461700, please 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,” the statement reads further.
NCC added that however, it was important to note that the change only affected the Fixed Telephone Numbers.
“There is NO CHANGE to the existing mobile numbering format,” it emphasised.
The announcement was said to have been made to give expression to a key responsibility of the NCC and that it was in consistent with the practices of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, the United Nations arm supervising Information and Communication Technologies, ICT.
