Best Way to Send Money to Nigeria
Nigeria receives ~USD 20bn / year — heavily through Western Union, Sendwave, mobile-wallet partners and informal channels. FX controls make pricing volatile. This page lists the realistic options for Nigeria (NGN) and explains when each one wins on cost or speed.
Details
Realistic options for sending to Nigeria: Sendwave; WorldRemit; Wise (NGN); Western Union; MoneyGram; Remitly; TapTap Send.
Cash pickup: Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria — extensive bank-branch pickup at Nigerian banks.
Mobile wallet / digital rails: Naira bank transfer is the standard payout; some providers support OPay / PalmPay.
Best practice: Sendwave and TapTap Send are typically the cheapest digital options. CBN regulations frequently change — always confirm exchange rates and KYC on both sides before sending.
Whichever provider you choose, if the transfer is SWIFT-routed it will have a UETR — paste it into Ohmyfin to see live GPI status across the correspondent chain.
Key facts
- Destination: Nigeria (NGN)
- Realistic providers: Sendwave, WorldRemit, Wise (NGN), Western Union, MoneyGram
- Cash pickup options: Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria — extensive bank-branch pickup at Nigerian banks.
- Always quote at least 2 providers at the moment of transfer — pricing changes daily.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money to Nigeria?
For retail amounts, fintechs (Wise, Remitly, Xoom, WorldRemit) are usually cheapest. For cash pickup or unbanked recipients, Western Union / MoneyGram. Always quote at least 2 providers.
What is the fastest way to send money to Nigeria?
Mobile-wallet and local-rail payouts are typically minutes. Cash pickup with Western Union / MoneyGram is also minutes once funded. SWIFT bank-to-bank: 1-3 business days.
Do I need a SWIFT code to send money to Nigeria?
Yes for bank-to-bank wires. Each Nigeria bank has a BIC. Many fintechs handle this internally — you just provide the recipient bank name and account.
How do I track a SWIFT transfer to Nigeria?
Get the UETR from your provider and paste it into Ohmyfin for live GPI status. Completely free for individuals — 10 free trackings/day per IP, no signup, no card required.
Are there limits on sending money to Nigeria?
Yes — most providers impose per-transfer and per-day limits, and the destination country may have its own inbound rules. Check with the provider and check Nigeria's central-bank inbound-remittance rules.
What happens if my transfer to Nigeria goes wrong?
Contact your provider immediately. For SWIFT-routed transfers, track the UETR on Ohmyfin first to identify exactly where the funds are stuck — that information dramatically speeds up any recall or investigation.
Related — more from how to send money by country and beyond
Get 100 free credits — track unlimited SWIFT payments
No card needed. Free for ordinary users — 10 free trackings per day per IP, no signup required. Track any international wire across 11,000+ banks.
Track a payment now — completely free Or try the tracker now →