Power & Connectivity (SIM)

Nigeria uses 230V / 50Hz with Type D and Type G sockets (Type G is the British three rectangular pins). Bring a Type D/G adapter; travellers from 100–120V countries need a converter for devices that are not dual-voltage. Power cuts are common, so carry a power bank.

The main operators are MTN (the largest), Airtel Nigeria, Glo (Globacom) and 9mobile. Prepaid SIMs are sold at airports and shops, but registration is required: bring your passport, and be ready for a National Identification Number (NIN) linkage and biometric capture. 4G/LTE is good in cities but can be patchy in rural areas.

eSIM support is growing in Nigeria and some operators offer it, while travel eSIM plans can be bought online before arrival and installed in minutes. This avoids the local SIM registration steps, though coverage still depends on the underlying network.

Wi-Fi is common in hotels, malls and cafés in cities like Lagos and Abuja, though speeds vary and power cuts can interrupt service, so many venues run backup generators. A local SIM or eSIM is often more reliable for getting online on the go. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks.

Internet in Nigeria is generally usable and common apps and services — messaging, social media, maps and streaming — normally work. Access can be affected at times by network outages or occasional service disruptions, so having a backup connection helps.

Handy apps include ride-hailing such as Bolt, Uber and inDrive in cities, maps and translation, plus WhatsApp, which is widely used for messaging and calls. Mobile-money and bank transfer apps are common for payments, as many everyday transactions are digital.

Nigeria's country code is +234. App-based calls (WhatsApp and similar) are very common and often the default way people stay in touch. Save numbers in full +234 international format so they work from any network.