The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a new numbering format for fixed lines (landlines) in the country from 8 digits by adding a 02 prefix before the existing number to make it a 10-digit number.
This was disclosed through a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Muoka, on Tuesday. According to him, this new development is in keeping with its responsibilities under the enabling law, the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, to manage Nigeria’s numbering resources.
As of July 2023, there were 96,771 fixed wireless and fixed wired (i.e., landline) lines in the country, according to the NCC.
The statement reads, “The Commission hereby informs the public of the changes and clarifies that existing numbers will 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.”
The commission clarified that old and new number formats will be allowed to run concurrently till the cut-over date, after which from January 1, 2024, the new fixed-lines format will assume full recognition across all networks.
“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 commission further highlighted.
The commission also stressed that the numbering change will only affect fixed telephone numbers, stating that there is no change to the existing mobile numbering format (11 digits) in the country.