Nigeria SMS Laws And Regulations
When sending SMS messages to Nigeria, it’s crucial to be aware of the country’s strict regulations, particularly regarding unsolicited messages and message volume.
Here’s a breakdown of key regulations:
Do Not Disturb (DND) Registry: Nigeria has implemented a DND registry to protect subscribers from unwanted messages and calls. It’s crucial to ensure your recipient list respects this registry to avoid penalties.
Volume Restrictions and Traffic Categories: Sending multiple messages to the same number on the same day is not recommended, as it can lead to message blocking. Nigerian operators categorize SMS traffic as follows:
- Banking Traffic: Messages from banks regarding transactions are always delivered, regardless of DND status or time of day.
- Promotional Traffic: This category encompasses all other messages, including transactional messages from non-banking institutions. Delivery of these messages may be restricted to specific times of the day.
Before sending SMS messages to any international destination, please familiarize yourself with the local messaging regulations. All programs must comply with applicable laws in the target country. If you’re unsure about any regulations, please contact our support team for clarification.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| International SMS prefix | +234 |
| General Content Restrictions | • All content with URLs must be whitelisted. • It is best practice to obtain end-user consent before sending any communication from your service. • Unsolicited messages will not be sent to end-users. |
| Sender ID Regulations | All sender IDs will be overwritten with a local short code. |
| Sender ID Documentation Required | No |
| Shortcode Availability | N/A |
| Number Portability | Yes |
| Opt-in Requirements | It is best practice to obtain end-user consent before sending any communication from your service. |
| Opt-out Requirements | No |
| DND Exists | No |
| Time Restrictions | No |
| Local Traffic | N/A |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| International SMS prefix | +234 |
| General Content Restrictions | Gambling traffic is not allowed |
| Sender ID Regulations | • Generic sender IDs are blocked by the MNOs • Valid company or service names must be set as a sender ID • Sender ID registration is required in most cases |
| Sender ID Documentation Required | Yes |
| Shortcode Availability | N/A |
| Number Portability | Yes |
| Opt-in Requirements | N/A |
| Opt-out Requirements | — |
| DND Exists | Yes |
| Time Restrictions | No |
| Local Traffic | • Only customers residing in Nigeria can qualify to terminate traffic over the local binds at the local rates • Local traffic in Nigeria is split into banking traffic and non-banking traffic. Non-banking traffic is further split into promotional and transactional traffic. • Banking traffic and transactional non-banking traffic bypasses DND • Promotional non-banking traffic does not bypass DND |
Please note: It is essential to recognize that these regulations can change without notice, and it is the customer’s responsibility to stay up to date with any changes. If you have further questions or need clarification, do not hesitate to contact our support team.
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