Nigeria
Africa · 18 specs
Direct Answer
Nigeria (NG / NGA / 566) operates on a 230 V / 50 Hz electrical grid using British BS 1363 (Type G) and Type D sockets. Traffic drives on the right (RHT, switched from left to right in 1972). The official currency is the Nigerian Naira (NGN, ₦), country calling code is +234, emergency dispatch is 112, and paper standard is NIS ISO 216 A4.
Source: SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria) / NERC / NCC / ISO 3166-1 / NIPOST · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Federal Republic of Nigeria ISO 3166-1 |
| Local Endonym | Federal Republic of Nigeria / Naija |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | NG |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | NGA |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 566 UN M49 (Code 002) |
| Country Calling Code | +234 NCC (ITU-T E.164) |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 009 dial prefix for international calls |
| Internet ccTLD | .ng NiRA Registry |
| Vehicle Registration Code | WAN FRSC Standard Plate |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Nigerian Naira (NGN, ₦) 100 Kobo (k) |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 230 V (±6%), 50 Hz NERC / NEMSA Standard |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type G (BS 1363 standard) & Type D 13 A / 230 V (fused) |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD) Right-Hand Drive switch in 1972 |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) SON Standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | NIS ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 112 (National Emergency Communication Centre) Emergency Dispatch |
| Postal Code Regex / Format | 6 Digits (NNNNNN, e.g. 100001 Lagos, 900001 Abuja) NIPOST Standard |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC+1 (WAT–West Africa Time) No DST |
British Type G Plug Standard & 1972 Driving Switch
- Electricity Standards: Domestic sockets predominantly use British BS 1363 (Type G) 13 A fused plugs with safety shutters, though older round-pin Type D (BS 546) sockets remain in use in some older buildings and installations.
- 1972 Driving Side Switch: On April 2, 1972, Nigeria switched from driving on the left to driving on the right to align with neighboring francophone West African nations (Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon).
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 230 V (±6%), 50 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type G (BS 1363 standard) & Type D. Modern Type G 3-pin rectangular blade plugs with internal fuse protection and child safety shutters are now the standard, while older round-pin Type D (BS 546) sockets persist in older buildings.
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +234. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 009 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 112 (National Emergency Communication Centre). Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the right (RHT) with Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Nigerian Naira (NGN, ₦).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize NIS ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC+1 (WAT–West Africa Time).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes 6 Digits (NNNNNN, e.g. 100001 Lagos, 900001 Abuja).
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Federal Republic of Nigeria.