Cheap Calls to Nigeria from the US
Call family, friends, and businesses in Nigeria for just $0.08/min. No contracts, no connection fees, and your credits never expire. Whether you're reaching Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, or any city in Nigeria, InternationalCall offers the most affordable way to stay connected.
Why Nigerian-Americans Need Affordable Calls Home
Over 400,000 Nigerian-born immigrants live in the United States, with the broader Nigerian diaspora exceeding 1.4 million. Strong family ties and business connections mean regular communication with loved ones back home. Here are the most common reasons people need cheap calls to Nigeria:
Family Connections
Regular calls to parents, grandparents, and extended family in Lagos, Abuja, and across Nigeria. Staying connected during celebrations, checking on elderly relatives, and coordinating family matters across the Atlantic.
Banking and Financial Matters
Calling Nigerian banks like GTBank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank. Managing accounts, coordinating money transfers, resolving documentation issues. Many banking matters still require phone verification.
Business Communications
Nigeria is Africa's largest economy. US-based entrepreneurs and businesses coordinate with suppliers, partners, and customers in Lagos, the commercial capital. Import/export, real estate, and tech startups require reliable voice communication.
Property and Legal Matters
Managing property in Nigeria, coordinating with lawyers, and handling inheritance matters. Land registration, tenant management, and legal proceedings often require direct phone calls to offices in Nigeria.
Nigeria Calling Rates Compared
See how much you save compared to carriers and other services when calling Nigeria.
| Provider | Nigeria Mobile | Connection Fee | 30-min Call Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| InternationalCall | $0.08/min | $0.00 | $2.40 |
| AT&T | $3.50/min | $0.00 | $105.00 |
| Verizon | $2.99/min | $0.00 | $89.70 |
| T-Mobile | $3.00/min | $0.00 | $90.00 |
| Google Voice | $0.28/min | $0.00 | $8.40 |
| Calling Cards (avg) | $0.15/min | $0.99/call | $5.49 |
Why InternationalCall beats the alternatives:
- vs. US Carriers: Save 97%+ on every call. A weekly 30-minute call to family costs $2.40 instead of $105.
- vs. Google Voice: 71% cheaper ($0.08 vs $0.28/min). Plus, Google Voice is US-only and requires a Google account.
- vs. Calling Cards: No PINs to remember, no maintenance fees, no expiring balances. Just dial directly.
- vs. WhatsApp: Call any Nigerian phone number, even if they don't have the app or internet access.
How to Dial Nigeria from the US
Nigeria's country code is +234. Here's how to format your calls:
Dialing Format
Or from a mobile: +234 [phone number without leading 0]
Important: Drop the Leading Zero
Nigerian phone numbers start with 0 when dialed locally (e.g., 0803 xxx xxxx). When calling from the US, drop the leading 0 and dial +234 803 xxx xxxx instead.
Calling Nigerian Mobile Phones
Nigerian mobile numbers are 11 digits locally (starting with 0). Drop the 0 when dialing internationally.
Example: Lagos mobile (MTN)
+234 803 123 4567
Local format: 0803 123 4567
Calling Nigerian Landlines
Landlines include an area code. Major cities: Lagos (1), Abuja (9), Port Harcourt (84), Kano (64).
Example: Lagos landline
+234 1 234 5678
Local format: 01 234 5678
Nigerian Mobile Carrier Prefixes
Nigeria has four major mobile carriers. You can identify the carrier by the prefix (first 4 digits after +234):
MTN Nigeria
Nigeria's largest carrier with over 70 million subscribers.
Glo (Globacom)
Nigerian-owned carrier with strong nationwide coverage.
Airtel Nigeria
Part of Airtel Africa, strong in urban areas.
9mobile (formerly Etisalat)
Fourth largest carrier, popular for data services.
For a complete list of Nigerian prefixes, see the Nigeria telephone numbering plan.
Pay-As-You-Go: The Smart Way to Call Nigeria
No monthly fees, no contracts, no commitment. Just add credits and call. Here's why pay-as-you-go works better than calling plans:
Only Pay for What You Use
Add $5, $10, or $25 in credits. Use them whenever you want. Your credits never expire, so you never lose money on unused minutes.
No Monthly Fees
Unlike carrier international plans ($10-15/month) or VoIP subscriptions, there's no recurring charge. Perfect for occasional callers.
Transparent Pricing
$0.08/min means $0.08/min. No connection fees, no maintenance fees, no hidden charges. What you see is what you pay.
How Far Your Credits Go
$5
62 minutes to Nigeria mobile
$10
125 minutes to Nigeria mobile
$25
312 minutes to Nigeria mobile
Start Calling Nigeria in 3 Steps
Create Your Account
Sign up with just your email address. No credit card required to create an account. Takes less than 30 seconds.
Add Calling Credits
Start with as little as $5. Pay securely with credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Credits are added instantly and never expire.
Dial +234 and Start Talking
Call from our web app, iOS app, or Android app. Dial +234 followed by the Nigerian phone number (without the leading 0). Crystal-clear HD voice quality on any internet connection.
No credit card required to sign up
Best Times to Call Nigeria from the US
Nigeria is on West Africa Time (WAT), which is UTC+1. Here's how that translates from US time zones:
| US Time Zone | Your Time | Nigeria Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern (EST) | 2:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Evening calls to Nigeria |
| Central (CST) | 1:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Evening calls to Nigeria |
| Pacific (PST) | 11:00 AM | 8:00 PM | Evening calls to Nigeria |
| Eastern (EST) | 6:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Lunch hour in Nigeria (ideal for business) |
Note: Nigeria does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The time difference is 5 hours ahead of EST (6 hours during US Daylight Saving Time).
Cheap Calls to Nigeria FAQ
How much does it cost to call Nigeria from the US?
With InternationalCall, calls to Nigeria cost $0.08/min to mobile phones and $0.05/min to landlines. There are no connection fees or hidden charges. For comparison, US carriers like AT&T charge $3.50/min and Verizon charges $2.99/min for the same calls. Google Voice charges $0.28/min.
What is the dialing format to call Nigeria?
To call Nigeria from the US, dial: 011 + 234 + phone number (without the leading 0). For example, if the local number is 0803 123 4567, dial +234 803 123 4567. From a cell phone, you can dial +234 instead of 011-234.
Can I call all Nigerian mobile carriers?
Yes, you can call all Nigerian mobile carriers at the same rate: $0.08/min. This includes MTN Nigeria, Glo (Globacom), Airtel Nigeria, and 9mobile. Landlines are $0.05/min.
What is the cheapest way to call Nigeria?
VoIP services like InternationalCall offer the cheapest rates at $0.08/min with no connection fees. This is 71% cheaper than Google Voice ($0.28/min) and 97% cheaper than US carriers. WhatsApp is free but only works if the recipient also has the app and reliable internet access.
Do I need to download an app?
No app download is required. You can make calls directly from our web app in any browser on your computer, tablet, or phone. We also offer mobile apps for iOS and Android if you prefer a native app experience.
Do my credits expire?
No, your credits never expire. Unlike calling cards (30-90 day expiration), InternationalCall credits remain in your account until you use them. Add $5 today and use it over the next year if you want.
Ready to Call Nigeria?
Join thousands of customers who use InternationalCall to stay connected with family and business in Nigeria. $5 gets you over 60 minutes of talk time.