Nigeria license plate (WAN) in 2026 ✅
The current Nigerian car registration plates are the same size as the American system, making it one of the only two countries in Africa that use it this way along with Liberia. Nigerian license plate configuration is three letters, a dash, three numbers, and two letters. Nigerian license plate characters are green on a white background with the map as the background. The name of the region inside Nigeria is displayed at the top of the license plate.
Language: English
International code: WAN
In Nigeria they drive on the right
First plate was registered on: ?.
There are 3 1 cars per 1000 inhabitants.
Continent: Africa
Table of contents of Nigeria license plates
Current Nigeria License Plates
Current Nigeria license plates, in use since November 1992, have a size very similar to that of the United States, measuring 308×140 millimeters (mm). All license plates, regardless of the type of vehicle, display FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA at the bottom, as they have since 1992. At the top, the name of the region is displayed in larger letters, and normally the region's slogan appears below it. In 2011, the design and configuration were changed to include a map of Nigeria.
Configuration of a Nigeria License Plate
In the upper left corner of a Nigeria license plate, to the left of the regional name, the Nigerian national flag is displayed. The character configuration consists of three letters identifying the local government area, separated by a hyphen from three numbers, followed by two serial letters. Private vehicles use blue characters on a white background, while commercial vehicles use red characters on a white background. The use of the regional name and slogan is not mandatory. Personalized license plates are permitted.
As a curiosity, Liberia and Nigeria are the only two African states that use the North American standard license plate size of 170x350 millimeters (mm).
Regional Codes Used on Nigeria License Plates
The regional codes used on Nigeria license plates vary depending on each region. The regional name displayed at the top and the slogan below it also vary. For each region, the combination of numbers is slightly different. Below is a list of the different regions and their slogans.
| State Abbreviation | Full Name |
|---|---|
| Abia | GOD'S OWN STATE |
| Abuja | CENTRE OF UNITY |
| Adamawa | LAND OF DAIRY |
| Akwa Ibom | THE LAND OF PROMISE |
| Anambra | LIGHT OF THE NATION |
| Bauchi | PEARL OF TOURISM |
| Bayelsa | THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS |
| Benue | THE FOOD OF THE NATION |
| Borno | HOME OF PEACE |
| Cross River | THE PEOPLE'S PARADISE |
| Delta | THE BIG HEART |
| Ebonyl | SALT OF THE NATION |
| Edo | HEART OF THE NATION THE HEARTBEAT OF NIGERIA |
| Ekiti | FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE LAND OF HONOUR |
| Enugu | COAL CITY STATE |
| Gombe | JEWEL OF THE SAVANNAH |
| Imo | EASTERN HEART LAND |
| Jigawa | A NEW WORLD |
| Kaduna | CENTRE OF LEARNING Liberal State |
| Kano | CENTRE OF COMMERCE |
| Katsina | HOME OF HOSPITALITY |
| Kebbi | LAND OF EQUITY |
| Kogi | THE CONFLUENCE STATE |
| Kwara | STATE OF HARMONY |
| Lagos | CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE |
| Nasarawa | HOME OF SOLID MINERALS |
| Niger | THE POWER STATE |
| Ogun | THE GATEWAY STATE |
| Ondo | SUNSHINE STATE |
| Osun | LAND OF VIRTUE STATE OF LIVING SPRING |
| Oyo | PACE SETTER STATE |
| Plateau | HOME OF PEACE AND TOURISM |
| Rivers | TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION |
| Sokoto | SEAT OF THE CALIPHATE SARAKUNAN DAULAR USMANIYYA |
| Taraba | NATURE'S GIFT TO THE NATION |
| Yobe | PRIDE OF THE SAHEL |
| Zamfara | FARMING IS OUR PRIDE |
| Table data is licensed under Creative Commons | |
Nigeria Diplomatic Corps License Plate
Nigeria Diplomatic Corps license plates may feature a variety of colors and letters. The letters placed in the central position can identify CC and CT for Consular Corps, CD and CMD for Diplomatic Corps, and UN for the United Nations (white on a blue background). The first three letters identify the embassy, consulate or organization. Some example codes are: 5-Argentina, 92-Mexico, 111-Portugal, 122-Spain, 201-UNDP, 228-UNHCR...
Nigeria License Plates Under the Previous System
From 1992 to 2011, Nigeria used a previous system based on a similar but different configuration and design. The configuration was AA000-AAA, with the three-letter code identifying the local government displayed on the right side of the license plate.
☛ Which code identifies cars from Nigeria?
The code WAN identifies Nigeria. The license plates of Nigeria may be used with the international registration code WAN next to it on the back part of the car.
Example of a car with the international recognition code of Nigeria
Below you can find a car with the oval code and international recognition of Nigeria which is WAN.
Questions and answers about car license plates in Nigeria 🥇
Where is the code WAN in a license plate from?
The international code WAN identifies Nigeria, in Africa.
Which country uses the code WAN on its license plate?
The country that uses the code WAN on its car license plate system is Nigeria.. The letter or letters WAN always identify Nigeria. The international code WAN must always be displayed on the rear of the vehicle inNigeriaSpain in an oval in black characters on a white background when travelling abroad, except in very rare cases.
When did Nigeria have its first ordinary car license plate?
The date of the first car license plate registration officially issued in Nigeria was in ?.
Which side of the road do people drive on in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, you drive on the right side of the road.
On which continent is Nigeria located?
Nigeria is located in the continent Africa. You can check how are the license plates of Africa following the link to the general section within matriculasdelmundo. Car license plates in Africa
What are license plates from Nigeria called in other English-speaking couuntries?
In English, license plate of Nigeria is commonly called a license plate of Nigeria in the United States and Canada. In the UK and Australia, it’s often known as a number plate of Nigeria. Another term, registration plate of Nigeria, is understood globally and is slightly more formal. All these terms refer to the same vehicle identification plate of Nigeria, with usage varying by country. Car plate of Nigeria can be used in more technical situations.
Is it the same a license plate of Nigeria and a registration plate of Nigeria?
Yes, both license plate of Nigeria and registration plate of Nigeria can be used to refer the same vehicle registration unique number of Nigeria.
Cite this section about the license plates of Nigeria
Matriculasdelmundo. License plates of Nigeria. Reviewed and updated information. Matriculasdelmundo.com. Retrieved on 05/10/2026 from https://
License plates from other states and territories that you may be interested in:
Map of the Nigeria license plates
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Official Sources on License Plates of Nigeria
All the information about the license plates of cars and motorcycles in Nigeria and vehicle plates shown here has been extracted from official state archives (such as the BOE and the DGT in Spain), from personal sightings, by contacting automobile clubs from other countries, or through media or files referenced in the text. This information on car and motorcycle plates in Nigeria has been collected since 2009, so we hope you find the information you're looking for about Nigeria license plates.
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