Words and sender IDs Nigerian networks block
What gets filtered, why it costs you units, and how to write around it.
What happens when a network blocks a message
Your message is accepted by us, passed to the network, and dropped there. The recipient never sees it and no delivery receipt comes back. Units are charged for every message submitted, not for every message delivered: our SMS partner bills us whether the network delivers it or not, so a blocked message costs exactly what a delivered one costs and none of it is refundable. That is why this page exists. The cost lands on you before anyone can tell you it failed.
Refund policyThis list is not exhaustive
It comes from our SMS partner and reflects what the networks were filtering when we received it. The networks change it without notice and publish nothing authoritative. If nothing on this page matches your message, that means nothing matched our copy of the list. It is not a guarantee of delivery.
This is the promotional route, and it does not reach DND numbers
Sendam sends on the standard promotional bulk SMS route. Nigerian networks do not deliver promotional messages to numbers registered on Do Not Disturb, so those recipients will not receive your message, and your units are still deducted for them.
Transactional and OTP delivery, which is the route that reaches DND numbers, is not available yet. It is coming soon, and this page will say so when it is live.
Sender IDs
A sender ID that looks like a bank, a mobile network, a government agency or a brand you do not own will be rejected, and messages sent under it are dropped. Register your own business name instead.
How to write around it
Say the specific thing instead of the promotional word. Name the item and the price rather than calling it a prize or a bonus. Avoid asking anyone to reply with a code, a NIN or a BVN. Send a test to your own number before a large campaign.
On the operator list
These are ordinary words. In normal business copy they are usually fine, but they can still trip a filter, so they are worth knowing about.
Prizes and promotions37 terms
Money and amounts7 terms
Banks and payments24 terms
Mobile networks8 terms
Government and security23 terms
Politics and elections16 terms
Brands and platforms16 terms
Identity and credentials6 terms
Adult content3 terms
Other11 terms
Not on the list, but commonly filtered
Our own advice, not published by any operator.