SMS and WhatsApp business messaging in Nigeria
Reach customers in Nigeria on SMS, WhatsApp and voice OTP from one platform, with direct routes to MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Glo and T2. We prepare your sender ID approval, and campaigns respect NCC Do-Not-Disturb rules. BroadNet is licensed in every country where it operates.
A WhatsApp card-alert thread from a sample Lagos wallet app. Brand name and messages are sample data.
Short answer
Updated
Business SMS in Nigeria is regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Alphanumeric sender IDs of up to 11 characters need NCC and licensed aggregator approval, one per use case, typically 5 to 10 business days. Promotional SMS is restricted between 20:00 and 08:00 WAT and subject to the NCC DND registry. OmniChannels.ai, powered by BroadNet, files your sender IDs and sends over direct routes to MTN, Airtel, Glo and T2, plus WhatsApp.
What you can send in Nigeria with OmniChannels.ai
Direct routes to four networks
SMS goes over direct connections to MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Glo and T2, with delivery reports per operator.
Sender ID approval
We prepare and file your sender ID registration with you, per use case, through the NCC process and a licensed aggregator.
DND-aware scheduling
Promotional sends stay out of the 20:00 to 08:00 WAT restriction, and promotional traffic to numbers on the NCC DND registry is suppressed. OTPs and alerts go at any hour.
WhatsApp Business API
BroadNet is an official Meta Business Solution Provider. Onboard through Meta Embedded Signup, send approved marketing, utility and authentication templates, and answer replies in the shared inbox.
Voice OTP
Send one-time passwords by voice call with text-to-speech where an SMS or WhatsApp code is not enough. Voice is provisioned with the account team; contact sales for voice pricing.
One inbox for every channel
WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, SMS replies and email land in one thread per customer, with agent assignment, tags and templates.
Channel fallback
Send on WhatsApp first and fall back to SMS when a message is not delivered. The order is set per use case and statuses return in one webhook format.
REST API and SMPP 3.4
Connect your app or core system through the REST API, or an SMPP 3.4 client over TLS for high volume. Delivery statuses reach your webhook.
What to know before sending in Nigeria
A practical summary, not legal advice. NCC and operator requirements change, so we confirm the current position for your traffic during onboarding.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulator and operators | The NCC is the telecom regulator. Four networks carry most SMS (dialling code +234): MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Glo and T2. |
| Sender ID | Alphanumeric, up to 11 characters. Approval needs the NCC process and a licensed aggregator, one ID per use case, with a typical lead time of 5 to 10 business days. Unregistered IDs may be rejected or replaced by a numeric sender. |
| Do-Not-Disturb registry | Subscribers can block promotional SMS through the NCC DND service (STOP to 2442). Promotional traffic to registered numbers is suppressed, and relabelling marketing as transactional to avoid it is treated as abuse. |
| Promotional hours | Promotional A2P SMS is restricted between 20:00 and 08:00 WAT. Send promotions in daytime. Transactional messages such as OTPs and alerts can go at any hour. |
| Consent and opt-out | Marketing needs consent you can prove, with source, timestamp and channel logged and records kept for at least 12 months. Every promotional message carries a STOP opt-out. |
| Personal data | The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, overseen by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, applies to your lists. Ask Nigerian counsel to review your consent wording. |
| Business-initiated messages need an approved template and customer opt-in. Meta lists Nigeria as its own market for per-message pricing. |
How to launch business messaging in Nigeria
Sender ID approval takes the longest, so we start it in the first week.
- 1
Classify your traffic
Split transactional (OTPs, alerts, receipts) from promotional, and plan one sender ID for each.
- 2
Register sender IDs
Share company registration documents, a letter of authorization where required and sample messages. We prepare the filing with you.
- 3
Collect and log consent
Capture opt-in at the source and store the timestamp, channel and wording, with a STOP instruction in every promotion.
- 4
Connect WhatsApp
Onboard through Meta Embedded Signup and submit templates for approval.
- 5
Test on all four networks
Send to MTN, Airtel, Glo and T2 numbers on your own handsets, set fallback and launch.
Is this the right setup for your Nigeria traffic?
A good fit when
- You send OTPs, payment alerts or receipts to Nigerian numbers and need delivery reports per network.
- You run opted-in campaigns and want promotions to respect DND and sending hours.
- You want SMS, WhatsApp and voice OTP on one platform with fallback.
- You serve Nigeria alongside Kenya or other African markets.
Good to know before you start
- Sender IDs need NCC and aggregator approval, so lead times are typical, not guaranteed.
- Promotional traffic to DND numbers is suppressed, which reduces reach.
- Marketing needs provable consent and a working opt-out.
- Rules change, and we confirm current requirements at onboarding.
SMS list rates in Nigeria
Indicative price per SMS segment by monthly volume tier, averaged across operators, from BroadNet's published rate card. The more you send, the lower the rate.
Indicative list prices in USD before taxes and sender ID fees, reviewed September 24, 2026. Your quote confirms the final rate.
| Operator | Up to 100,000 |
|---|---|
| MTN Nigeria | $0.0385 |
| Airtel | $0.0363 |
| Glo | $0.0340 |
| T2 | $0.0340 |
Nigeria business messaging questions
Who regulates SMS in Nigeria?
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulates telecoms and runs the Do-Not-Disturb service. Personal data is covered by the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, overseen by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
How do I get a sender ID in Nigeria?
Alphanumeric sender IDs of up to 11 characters need approval through the NCC process and a licensed aggregator, per use case. Typical lead time is 5 to 10 business days. We prepare the filing with you, while approval stays with the operators and regulator.
What is the NCC DND registry?
DND is a free service under which subscribers block unsolicited promotional SMS, for example by sending STOP to 2442. Promotional traffic to registered numbers is suppressed. Respect the registry and do not relabel marketing as transactional.
When can I send promotional SMS in Nigeria?
Promotional A2P SMS is restricted between 20:00 and 08:00 WAT, so schedule promotions in daytime. Transactional messages such as OTPs and payment alerts can be sent at any hour.
Which networks can I reach in Nigeria?
MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Glo and T2, each over a direct route. Sender ID approval is handled per network, so a message can arrive on one operator and not another. Report delivery per operator.
Do I need consent to message customers in Nigeria?
Yes for marketing. Keep consent records with source, timestamp and channel for at least 12 months, include an opt-out in every promotion, and do not buy lists. Have Nigerian counsel review your wording, especially in banking and insurance.
How much does SMS or WhatsApp to Nigeria cost?
Prices are on our Nigeria SMS pricing page and, where Meta lists the market, our WhatsApp pricing page. They are indicative list prices that exclude taxes, and your final quote confirms the cost. WhatsApp is billed at Meta's rate with zero markup. For RCS or voice pricing, contact sales.
Should I use WhatsApp or SMS in Nigeria?
Use both. SMS reaches any handset and suits OTPs and alerts, while WhatsApp supports receipts, support chats and rich media for opted-in customers. Many senders send on WhatsApp first and fall back to SMS, configured per use case.
Guides on this topic
- SMS & OTPBulk SMS Nigeria: Sender ID, DND Rules and OTP Best Practice9 min read
- SMS & OTPOTP Messages on WhatsApp and SMS: Security, Delivery and Fraud9 min read
- ComplianceOpt-in and Consent for WhatsApp, SMS and Email Campaigns8 min read
Explore more of the platform
Plan your Nigeria messaging with us
Tell us your use cases, volumes and sender IDs. We will walk you through NCC approval, WhatsApp onboarding and fallback.