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Send Money to Nigeria

Compare available providers for popular routes and review loaded recipient estimates for your amount.

Updated 2 Jun 2026
Current Estimates
Regulator References

Choose Your Currency

Current USD to NGN quotes

Compare current provider quotes for sending $1,000 USD. Recipient outcome remains the main comparison point.

How rankings work: Methodology · Commercial Policy

Promotional Rates Available

Top row follows the selected sort. The alternate Standard or New User rate appears below when available.

TOP
Remitly logo

Remitly

Recipient Gets
1,377,535NGN
Best New User rate
Rate
1398.76
Fee
FREE
You Send
USD 1,000
Standard users get1,356,310 NGN
Check current quote
WorldRemit logo

WorldRemit

Best Standard rate
#2 loaded estimate
Recipient Gets
1,367,061NGN
vs top
-10,474
Rate
1367.06
Fee
FREE
You Send
USD 1,000
Check WorldRemit quote
Sendwave logo

Sendwave

#3 loaded estimate
Recipient Gets
1,367,060.77NGN
vs top
-10,474.23
Rate
1367.06
Fee
FREE
You Send
USD 1,000
Check Sendwave quote
Paysend logo

Paysend

Recipient Gets
1,364,233.1NGN
vs top
-13,301.9
Rate
1364.23
Fee
USD 1.99
You Send
USD 1,000
Check Paysend quote
Taptap Send logo

Taptap Send

Recipient Gets
1,363,000NGN
vs top
-14,535
Rate
1363.00
Fee
FREE
You Send
USD 1,000
Check Taptap Send quote
Wise logo

Wise

Recipient Gets
1,349,500.41NGN
vs top
-28,034.59
Rate
1366.14
Fee
USD 12.18
You Send
USD 1,000
Check Wise quote
Western Union logo

Western Union

Recipient Gets
1,329,770NGN
vs top
-47,765
Rate
1329.77
Fee
USD 30.00
You Send
USD 1,000
Check Western Union quote
XE Money Transfer logo

XE Money Transfer

Recipient Gets
1,293,623NGN
vs top
-83,912
Rate
1293.62
Fee
FREE
You Send
USD 1,000
Check XE Money Transfer quote

Amount Comparison

Estimate what your recipient may get at different transfer amounts using New User rates.

WorldRemit
Best New User
Rate: 1367.0608 | Fee: $0.00
Send $100
136,706.08
Send $500
683,530.40
Send $1,000
1,367,060.80
Send $5,000
6,835,304.00
Sendwave
Rate: 1367.0608 | Fee: $0.00
Send $100
136,706.08
Send $500
683,530.39
Send $1,000
1,367,060.77
Send $5,000
6,835,303.85
Taptap Send
Rate: 1363.0000 | Fee: $0.00
Send $100
136,300.00
Send $500
681,500.00
Send $1,000
1,363,000.00
Send $5,000
6,815,000.00
Paysend
Rate: 1364.2331 | Fee: $1.99
Send $100
133,708.49
Send $500
679,401.72
Send $1,000
1,361,518.27
Send $5,000
6,818,450.66
Remitly
Rate: 1356.3100 | Fee: $0.00
Send $100
139,876.00
Send $500
699,380.00
Send $1,000
1,356,310.00
Send $5,000
6,781,550.00

Tip: The difference between providers can be significant for larger transfers. For $5,000, you could receive up to 53,754.00 more by choosing the best provider.

Recipient Gets Exactly...

Enter how much your recipient needs in NGN. We'll show how much you need to send.

NGN
Remitly
Remitly
Cheapest New User

$985.16

You send (USD)

2
WorldRemit

$1,008.00

You send (USD)

3
Sendwave

$1,008.00

You send (USD)

4
Taptap Send

$1,011.01

You send (USD)

5
Paysend

$1,012.08

You send (USD)

6
Wise

$1,020.86

You send (USD)

7
XE Money Transfer

$1,065.23

You send (USD)

8
Western Union

$1,066.27

You send (USD)

Save $81.11 by choosing Remitly over Western Union

Why Use Online Money Transfer Services?

Compare Bank Costs

Bank wires can combine exchange-rate margins with fixed wire fees. Digital providers may be cheaper on this route, but compare the final recipient amount and checkout terms before sending.

Faster Delivery

Bank wire transfers take 3-5 business days. Online services often deliver within 24 hours, with instant transfers available to Paga and OPay mobile wallets.

Easy & Convenient

Send money from your phone or computer 24/7. No need to visit a bank branch. Track your transfer in real-time and get notifications when it arrives.

Sending Money to Nigeria: What You Need to Know

Bank Transfer Requirements

  • Account Number: Recipient's Nigerian bank account number (10 digits)
  • Bank Name: Full name of the recipient's bank
  • Recipient Name: Must match exactly as on bank records
  • BVN: Bank Verification Number (may be required for larger amounts)

Payment Options

  • Bank Transfer (ACH/SWIFT): Often lower-cost funding, 1-3 days
  • Debit Card: Fast, moderate fees
  • Credit Card: Fastest, higher fees (3-5% extra)
  • Apple/Google Pay: Available with select providers

Supported Nigerian Banks

All major Nigerian banks accept international transfers:

GTBank
Access Bank
Zenith Bank
First Bank
UBA
Ecobank
Fidelity Bank
Union Bank

Delivery Options in Nigeria

  • Bank Deposit: Direct to any Nigerian bank account
  • Paga: Instant mobile money transfer
  • OPay: Instant mobile money transfer
  • Cash Pickup: Available at partner locations nationwide
  • Airtime Top-up: Send mobile airtime directly

Nigeria: Largest African Remittance Market

$20B+

Remittances received annually

15M+

Nigerian diaspora worldwide

5-12%

Potential cost gap vs bank wires

Nigeria is the largest remittance-receiving country in Africa. Major sources include United States, United Kingdom, and other European countries. Most diaspora communities are concentrated in the US and UK. Remittances form a critical part of Nigeria's economy, accounting for approximately 6% of GDP.

Understanding Remittances to Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa's largest remittance market, receiving over $20 billion annually from its global diaspora. With more than 17 million Nigerians living abroad — primarily in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other African and European countries — remittances are a critical economic lifeline. They account for approximately 4% of Nigeria's GDP and provide essential support for families, education, healthcare, and small businesses.

The US-to-Nigeria and UK-to-Nigeria corridors are major source routes. Provider choice has widened in recent years, with fintech services like Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit competing with traditional operators. Nigeria's naira (NGN) has experienced periods of volatility following currency reforms, making current quote comparison especially important.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulates all inbound remittances and requires recipients to receive funds in naira at prevailing market rates. Nigeria's banking system supports direct deposits to all major banks including GTBank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, and UBA. Mobile money is growing through platforms like OPay and PalmPay, though bank transfers remain the dominant delivery method for international remittances.

How to Choose the Right Provider for Nigeria

Nigeria's volatile exchange rate environment makes provider comparison critical. Here's how to get the best value:

Best NGN Exchange Rate

Compare Wise and WorldRemit. With naira volatility, exchange-rate differences between providers can be large. Always check the final NGN amount and understand which benchmark rate the provider is using.

Fastest Delivery to Nigerian Banks

Compare Remitly and WorldRemit. Same-day bank delivery can be useful for urgent needs, but availability, delivery time, and fees vary by sending country and recipient bank.

Sending from the UK (GBP to NGN)

Compare Wise, WorldRemit, and Remitly. The UK-to-Nigeria corridor has multiple strong options. Compare bank, cash, and mobile delivery quotes because the final GBP/NGN amount can vary meaningfully.

Cash Pickup Across Nigeria

Compare Western Union and WorldRemit. For recipients without bank accounts, cash pickup remains important. Compare the total naira received because cash pickup services may price differently from bank deposit options.

Common Mistakes When Sending Money to Nigeria

1. Not Checking the Actual NGN Rate Being Applied

Nigeria's exchange rate landscape is complex, with official and market rates sometimes differing. Provider quotes can vary materially, so compare the total NGN your recipient may receive and confirm the checkout quote before sending.

2. Sending USD Instead of Local Currency

Some senders try to send USD to Nigeria hoping recipients can exchange locally at better rates. However, CBN regulations require most remittances to be paid out in naira. Receiving in USD often involves additional conversion fees at the Nigerian bank. Send in naira through a provider with a good NGN rate for the best outcome.

3. Not Using Nigerian-Focused Providers

Generic international transfer services may not specialize in the Nigeria corridor. Providers like WorldRemit and LemFi have built strong Nigeria-specific infrastructure and often offer better rates and faster delivery than general-purpose services. Check providers that specifically highlight Nigeria as a key market.

4. Ignoring Transfer Limits and BVN Requirements

Nigerian bank accounts are linked to a Bank Verification Number (BVN). Recipients need an active BVN-linked account to receive international transfers above certain thresholds. For large transfers, ensure your recipient's account is fully verified and has adequate receiving limits set by their bank.

5. Falling for Remittance Scams

Unfortunately, the Nigeria corridor sees more fraud attempts than most. Never send money based on unsolicited requests, even if they appear to come from known contacts. Only use regulated, well-known providers listed on our comparison. Verify any unusual transfer requests directly with your recipient by phone.

Top Money Transfer Services for Nigeria

Nigeria Remittance & NGN News

View all

Frequently Asked Questions: Various to NGN

The lowest-cost option depends on amount, funding method, payout method, provider eligibility, and the live exchange-rate margin. Digital providers such as Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit are worth comparing with banks and cash-pickup services because the final NGN received can vary by route and timing.
Most online transfers to Nigeria take 1-3 business days for bank deposits. Some providers offer instant transfers to Nigerian bank accounts or mobile wallets like Paga and OPay. Debit card payments are usually faster than bank transfers. First-time transfers may take longer due to verification requirements.
You typically need a government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license), proof of address, and the recipient's bank account details or mobile wallet information. For larger transfers above $10,000, you may need to provide proof of income or source of funds documentation due to regulatory requirements.
Yes, when using regulated money transfer services. Look for providers regulated by financial authorities like FCA (UK), FinCEN (US), or local regulators. We aim to list established providers and show known regulator references where available. Verify the provider's licence, jurisdiction, and payout coverage before sending.
Sender limits vary by provider and country - typically $1,000-$50,000 per transaction for most services. Nigeria allows receipt of foreign remittances for personal and family support. Higher transfer amounts may require additional verification or business accounts.
Yes, most providers accept credit cards, but fees are usually higher (3-5% extra) compared to bank transfers or debit cards. Credit card payments are faster but may also be treated as cash advances by your card issuer, incurring additional interest charges.
All major Nigerian banks accept international transfers including GTBank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, UBA (United Bank for Africa), Ecobank, and others. Most providers support direct deposits to any bank account in Nigeria using the account number.
Yes, many providers now support direct transfers to Nigerian mobile wallets like Paga and OPay. This is often the fastest delivery method, with funds available within minutes to hours. Mobile wallet transfers are especially popular for smaller amounts under NGN 100,000.
In most cases, personal remittances to family members in Nigeria are not taxable for the recipient. However, large gifts or income transfers may have tax implications. The sender country may also have reporting requirements for transfers above certain thresholds. Consult a tax professional for specific advice.
There is no guaranteed best time. Exchange rates move throughout the day, and provider margins can change independently of the mid-market rate. Use rate alerts and compare the final NGN received when you are ready to send.

Ready to Send Money to Nigeria?

Compare current provider options and choose the route that fits your next transfer to Nigeria. Most transfers arrive within 1-2 business days.

New to sending money to Nigeria? Read our complete guide to the best ways to send money to Nigeria in 2026.