List of Nigeria Vehicle Plate Number Abbreviation and Meaning

Have you ever wondered why vehicle plates are necessary? Why all those digits and figures? What do they mean?

About all Nigerians know that every vehicle in Nigeria must have a number plate, but only a few can decide what the number and abbreviations mean. Here is a privilege for you to understand the abbreviations and numbers written on vehicle plates in Nigeria. Read along!

Plate Number Abbreviation in Nigeria

All the countries of the world use plate number on their vehicles so, this is not a case peculiar to Nigeria alone. The adoption of the use of plate numbers is the government’s firm method of identifying all vehicles in a country.

Vehicles are made in similar models, external features, and colours which makes it a bit difficult to differentiate one from the other. So, whether you ride a motorcycle or own a car, your vehicle must carry a number plate.

Vehicle number plates are formed in different ways with each character having its own significance. The numbers are formed based on individual country preferences.

Nigeria’s unique format:

• XYZ-234MN

The “XYZ” signifies what Local Government Area you got your vehicle registration done. Next to it are 3 figures, and then the other two letters are added. These last two letters are basically for numbering.

• Example:

The numbering starts from 1 like this: 001AA, and ends at 9; 999AA. Once this cycle is complete, you’ll move to 001AB till 999AB, the numbering goes on and on like that. Sometimes, the first letters in this sample could be used for different vehicle types. A for private vehicles, X for commercial vehicles, Q for tricycles and bikes and H is used for Hilux.

Nigeria Plate Number Colours

Nigeria plate numbers are usually white in colour while the numbers are written in blue. Perhaps you have noticed that the numbers are written in different colours, some red while some are green. The paint used is also significant. Red is used for commercial vehicles, green for government plates, purple is used for imprinting diplomatic plates, and white colour is used for lettering.

In the case of diplomatic plates, two or three figures are used to symbolize what country the owner of the car represents. These figures are imprinted then followed by two letters and figures. CORPS DIPLOMATIQUE would be clearly written where the state is supposed to be on this type of number plate.

As aforementioned, the first three letters on a typical Nigeria number plate represent the Local Government Area in which the vehicle was registered. These LGAs are always abbreviated, which confuses many individuals.

Below is a list of typical Nigeria Plate Number Abbreviation under each state and what they represent;

Abuja Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
KWL	Kwali Area Council
ABC	Abuja Municipal Council
BWR	Bwari Area Council
RSH	Karshi Area Council

Lagos State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local government
FST	Festac
SMK	Somolu
JJJ	Ojo
KJA	Ikeja
AAA	Lagos Island LG
FKJ	Ifako Ijaiye
AKD	Ibeju Lekki
LND	Lagos Mainland
LSR	Surulere
LSD	Oshodi Isolo
KSF	Kosofe
AGL	Ajeromi Ifelodun
APP	Apapa
KTU	Alimosho
BDG	Badagry
EKY	Eti-Osa LG
KRD	Ikorodu
EPE	Epe
MUS	Mushin
GGE	Agege

Osun State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
KRE	Ikire
FNN	Ifon Osun
SGB	Osogbo
LES	Ilesa
EDE	Ede
GBN	Gbongan

Katsina State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
BAT	Batagarawa
CRC	Charanchi
BDW	Bindawa
DDM	Dandume
BKR	Bakori
DMS	Danmusa
NGW	Ingawa
JBY	Jibia
KFY	Kafur
BRE	Baure
DJA	Danja
MLF	Malumfashi
KTN	Katsina
DTS	Dutse

Oyo State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
BDJ	Bodija
GBR	Igbo Ora
SEY	Iseyin
LUY	Oluyole (Ibadan)
AME	Arowomole (Ogbomoso)
MAP	Mapo (Ibadan)
NRK	Onireke (Ibadan)

Cross River State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
BJE	Boki (Boje)
KAM	Akamkpa
ANA	Calabar South (Anatigha)
CAL	Calabar Municipal
KMM	Ikom
BRA	Obubra
DUK	Odukpani
GEP	Yakurr
BNS	Obanliku (Sankwala)
EFE	Etung (Effraya)
GGJ	Ogoja
CKK	Yala (Okpoma)
TGD	Abi (Itigidi)
UDU	Obudu
BKS	Bakassi

Kano State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
GWL	Gwale
NSR	Nasarawa
UGG	Ungogo
KMC	Kano Municipal
TRN	Tarauni
DTF	Dawakin Tofa
DAL	Dala

Ekiti State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
KER	Ikere Ekiti
EFY	Efon Alaye
ADK	Ado Ekiti
EMR	Emure Ekiti
AMK	Aramoko
KLE	Ikole Ekiti
TUN	Moba LG (Otun)

Ondo State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
WEN	Idanre LG (Owena)
KEK	Ile Oluji LG (Ile oLuji)
AKR	Akure South LG (Akure)
KTP	Okitipupa LG
FFN	Ose LG (Ifon)
REE	Odigbo LG (Ore)
SUA	Akoko South East LG (Isua)
JTA	Akure North LG (Ita Ogbolu)
NND	Ondo West LG (Ondo)

Rivers State Vehicle Plate Number

Abbreviation	Local Government
ABU	Aboa/Odual
AHD	Ahoada-East
KNM	Ahoada-West
ABM	Akukutoru
NDN	Andoni
BGM	Asari-Toru
BNY	Bonny
DEG	Degema
NCH	Eleme
MHA	Emuoha
KHE	Etche
KPR	Gokana
SKP	Ikwerre
BRR	Khana
RUM	Onia/Akpor
RGM	Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni
GGU	Ogu/Bolo
KRK	Okirika
BER	Omuma
PBT	Opobo/Nkoro

You cannot just hit the road with a new car in Nigeria, there are due processes you must follow. You must first get your new vehicle registered in your preferred Local Government Area and get a number plate. If you have a plate number that has not been used before, you must get it verified at the appropriate quarters first before attaching it to your vehicle. Getting a plate number would cost you a bit but the amount cannot be compared with the price of your vehicle.