SMS rules for Nigeria
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Sender ID restrictions
| Alphanumeric sender ID | Can be overwritten |
|---|---|
| Foreign numeric sender ID | Can be overwritten |
| Local numeric sender ID | Supported |
| Generic sender ID prohibited | Yes, you can |
| Sender ID can be changed | Yes, you can |
| Virtual number required | Yes, you can |
| Marketing requires opt-in | Yes, you can |
| P2P prohibited | Yes, you can |
| Handset DLR unavailable | No, you can't. |
Content restrictions
| Category | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling / Games | PROHIBITED | Detected from provider text: gambling, betting, casino |
| Political content | PROHIBITED | Detected from provider text: political |
| Religious content | PROHIBITED | Detected from provider text: religious |
| Marketing / Advertising | PROHIBITED | Detected from provider text: marketing, promotion |
Notes
Country: Nigeria (NG).
Nigeria has specific guidelines for sending SMS messages. Alphanumeric sender IDs are supported, but prior registration is required for the MTN Nigeria network. Sender IDs are case sensitive and must include the brand name. Unregistered sender IDs will be overwritten. Messages originating from a Nigerian number are likely to be blocked and international numeric sender IDs are not supported on the MTN Nigeria and 9mobile network. Generic sender IDs such as INFO, SMS, NOTICE, etc. are not allowed.
When it comes to marketing messages, it's important to note that all Nigerian networks have enabled a "Do Not Disturb" (DND) feature, which allows subscribers to opt-out of receiving promotional messages from third-party services. Therefore, recipients who have DND enabled will not be able to receive anything other than OTP and transactional messages. Before sending marketing messages, you must obtain consent from users.
There are also restrictions on P2P traffic and content related to politics, religion, unsolicited advertising or gambling is not allowed. Further content restrictions follow our Acceptable Use Policy. It is important to stay updated on the current rules as they may change over time.
Nigeria has specific guidelines for sending SMS messages. Alphanumeric sender IDs are supported, but prior registration is required for the MTN Nigeria network. Sender IDs are case sensitive and must include the brand name. Unregistered sender IDs will be overwritten. Messages originating from a Nigerian number are likely to be blocked and international numeric sender IDs are not supported on the MTN Nigeria and 9mobile network. Generic sender IDs such as INFO, SMS, NOTICE, etc. are not allowed.
When it comes to marketing messages, it's important to note that all Nigerian networks have enabled a "Do Not Disturb" (DND) feature, which allows subscribers to opt-out of receiving promotional messages from third-party services. Therefore, recipients who have DND enabled will not be able to receive anything other than OTP and transactional messages. Before sending marketing messages, you must obtain consent from users.
There are also restrictions on P2P traffic and content related to politics, religion, unsolicited advertising or gambling is not allowed. Further content restrictions follow our Acceptable Use Policy. It is important to stay updated on the current rules as they may change over time.
Last updated: April 20, 2026