By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) changed the numbering format for fixed lines from January 1 next year.
The agency said the fixed-lines numbering format will no longer be eight digits but would be 10 digits, with the addition of the 02 prefix before the existing fixed number.
This change is totally different to the existing mobile numbering format.
The decision is in keeping with its responsibilities under the enabling law, the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, to manage Nigeria’s numbering resources, according to Mr Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, in a statement.
According to the telecommunications regulator, “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 the 02 prefix will be operational.
“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.
“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.
“However, it is important to note that the change only affects the Fixed Telephone Numbers.
“There is NO CHANGE to the existing mobile numbering format.
“The announcement is made to give expression to a key responsibility of the NCC, and it is consistent with the practices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations arm supervising Information and Communication Technologies (ICT),” he said.
