Compare money transfer to & from Nigeria
💸 What it costs to send money to Nigeria
Benchmark · Q3 2025
From United States
From United Kingdom
From Canada
Best all-in value
LemFi
★★★★☆
Usually zero
Transfer Fee
Tight margin (≈0.5–2%)
Exchange Rate
Naira to bank/wallet
Payout
Minutes to same day
Speed
CBN-licensed IMTO
Licence
Lowest all-in cost
Best For
inbound
Direction
Pros
- Typically zero fees and a tight FX margin
- Fast payout to Nigerian bank accounts and wallets
- CBN-licensed IMTO (RightCard Payment Services)
Cons
- Diaspora-to-Nigeria focus, not a universal service
- A rate margin still applies — compare the all-in rate
- Limits and verification on larger transfers
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeUsually zero
Exchange rateTight margin (~0.5-2%)
PayoutNaira to bank/wallet
Eligibility
- Sending from a country the operator supports
- Sender ID verification (KYC)
- Recipient's Nigerian bank or wallet details
Documents needed
- Sender ID (KYC)
- Recipient account/wallet details
- A payment method in the send country
Best for mobile
Sendwave
★★★★☆
No flat fee
Transfer Fee
Competitive margin
Exchange Rate
Naira to bank/wallet
Payout
Minutes to same day
Speed
CBN-licensed IMTO
Licence
Simple mobile transfers
Best For
inbound
Direction
Pros
- No flat fee; competitive exchange rate
- Very simple, mobile-first app
- CBN-licensed IMTO
Cons
- Fewer send countries than the global players
- FX margin applies — compare all-in
- App-only
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeNo flat fee
Exchange rateCompetitive margin
PayoutNaira to bank/wallet
Eligibility
- Sending from a country the operator supports
- Sender ID verification (KYC)
- Recipient's Nigerian bank or wallet details
Documents needed
- Sender ID (KYC)
- Recipient account/wallet details
- A payment method in the send country
Remitly
★★★★☆
Varies by speed/amount
Transfer Fee
Competitive; promo first rate
Exchange Rate
Naira to bank/wallet
Payout
Express or economy
Speed
Licensed IMTO
Licence
Choice of speed + payout
Best For
inbound
Direction
Pros
- Choice of express vs cheaper economy delivery
- Strong first-transfer promotional rates
- Large, established global operator
Cons
- Standard rates less sharp than LemFi/Sendwave
- Fees vary by speed and amount
- Promo rates are one-off
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeVaries by speed/amount
Exchange rateCompetitive; promo first rate
PayoutNaira to bank/wallet
Eligibility
- Sending from a country the operator supports
- Sender ID verification (KYC)
- Recipient's Nigerian bank or wallet details
Documents needed
- Sender ID (KYC)
- Recipient account/wallet details
- A payment method in the send country
WorldRemit
★★★★☆
Small flat fee
Transfer Fee
Competitive margin
Exchange Rate
Naira to bank/wallet/airtime
Payout
Minutes to same day
Speed
Licensed IMTO
Licence
Many send countries + payout types
Best For
inbound
Direction
Pros
- Wide range of send countries and payout options
- Bank, wallet and airtime top-up
- Established, regulated operator
Cons
- Charges a small flat fee on most routes
- Rate margin varies by corridor
- Not the cheapest all-in on naira
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeSmall flat fee
Exchange rateCompetitive margin
PayoutNaira to bank/wallet/airtime
Eligibility
- Sending from a country the operator supports
- Sender ID verification (KYC)
- Recipient's Nigerian bank or wallet details
Documents needed
- Sender ID (KYC)
- Recipient account/wallet details
- A payment method in the send country
Best for cash pickup
Western Union
★★★★☆
Higher; varies by method
Transfer Fee
Wider margin
Exchange Rate
Bank, wallet or cash pickup
Payout
Minutes (cash pickup)
Speed
Licensed IMTO
Licence
Cash pickup + reach
Best For
inbound
Direction
Pros
- Cash pickup at thousands of agent locations
- Huge global reach and brand trust
- Bank and wallet payout too
Cons
- Usually the most expensive all-in
- Wider exchange-rate margin
- Cash pickup needs ID and can queue
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeHigher; varies by method
Exchange rateWider margin
PayoutBank, wallet or cash pickup
Eligibility
- Sending from a country the operator supports
- Sender ID verification (KYC)
- Recipient's Nigerian bank or wallet details
Documents needed
- Sender ID (KYC)
- Recipient account/wallet details
- A payment method in the send country
MoneyGram
★★★★☆
Higher; varies
Transfer Fee
Wider margin
Exchange Rate
Bank, wallet or cash pickup
Payout
Minutes to same day
Speed
Licensed IMTO
Licence
Cash-pickup alternative
Best For
inbound
Direction
Pros
- Wide cash-pickup plus bank/wallet payout
- Established and widely available
- A solid backup to Western Union
Cons
- Pricier all-in than app-first services
- Wider FX margin
- Cash pickup needs ID
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeHigher; varies
Exchange rateWider margin
PayoutBank, wallet or cash pickup
Eligibility
- Sending from a country the operator supports
- Sender ID verification (KYC)
- Recipient's Nigerian bank or wallet details
Documents needed
- Sender ID (KYC)
- Recipient account/wallet details
- A payment method in the send country
Diaspora favourite
TapTap Send
★★★★☆
US, UK, Canada and several European countries into Nigeria (inbound only)
Corridors
Positioned as a fast app-first service; actual delivery time depends on the corridor and payout method
Speed
Operates as a regulated money transmitter in its sending markets; check the app's legal pages for the entity covering your country
Licence/ Registration
Regular family remittances from the diaspora in small-to-medium amounts
Best For
Remittance app (inbound to Nigeria)
Type
Pros
- Nigeria is an actively supported destination, confirmed on the current site
- Simple mobile-first flow designed around repeat family transfers
- Multiple payout rails advertised (bank deposit, mobile money, cash pickup), depending on corridor
Cons
- You cannot send out of Nigeria — it is an inbound-only corridor
- Nigeria-specific fees and rates are only visible inside the app, not on the public site
- Coverage of payout methods varies by sending country, so two senders can get different options
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer costMostly built into the exchange rate, with a small fixed fee on some corridors — always compare the delivered naira amount, not the advertised fee
Eligibility
- Sender must be resident in a supported sending country (US, UK, Canada, EU markets)
- Recipient needs a Nigerian bank account or supported payout channel
- Smartphone required — TapTap Send is app-only
Documents needed
- Government-issued photo ID for the sender
- Proof of address or additional verification for larger amounts
- Recipient's bank account details
CBN-licensed IMTO
Afriex
★★★★☆
US, UK, Canada, and EU countries (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Netherlands, Romania, Belgium) into Nigeria
Corridors
Afriex claims most transfers arrive within seconds; treat this as a best case
Speed
States CBN IMTO licence plus FinCEN MSB (US) and FINTRAC (Canada) registration — per its own site
Licence/ Registration
Diaspora senders who want a Nigeria-focused app with local licensing
Best For
Remittance app (inbound to Nigeria)
Type
Pros
- Publicly states a CBN International Money Transfer Operator licence — rare among newer apps
- Wide sending footprint across North America, the UK and Europe
- Send-to-bank flow built specifically around Nigerian accounts
Cons
- Daily sending cap (site states $3,000 or equivalent per day to Nigeria) limits larger transfers
- Rates are only fully visible in-app, so comparison requires downloading it
- Younger company than the legacy networks, with a smaller support footprint
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer costSite advertises low or zero fees on some transfers; the margin sits in the exchange rate — compare the delivered naira amount before sending
Eligibility
- Sender resident in a supported country (US, UK, Canada, listed EU markets)
- Within the stated $3,000/day equivalent limit to Nigeria
- Recipient with a Nigerian bank account
Documents needed
- Government-issued photo ID
- Selfie/biometric verification in-app
- Additional source-of-funds documents may be requested at higher volumes
Fast bank payouts
NALA
★★★★☆
UK, US and 19 EU countries into Nigeria (inbound only)
Corridors
NALA's own FAQ lists Nigeria bank payouts as arriving in seconds; allow longer for first transfers and checks
Speed
US transfers provided by NALA Payments LLC (NMLS 2530895); regulated entities vary by sending country
Licence/ Registration
UK/EU-based diaspora who want quick bank deposits and rate transparency
Best For
Remittance app (inbound to Nigeria)
Type
Pros
- Bank payouts to Nigeria described as near-instant on NALA's own support pages
- Broad EU sending coverage on top of the UK and US
- Publishes a rate-transparency stance and shows the delivered amount before you pay
Cons
- Bank account payout only for Nigeria — no cash pickup or mobile-money option
- Daily limit (site states up to 5,000 in USD/GBP/EUR terms) constrains bigger transfers
- Cannot send from Nigeria outward
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer costShown per corridor in the app; part of the cost sits in the exchange rate — judge it by the delivered naira amount
Eligibility
- Sender resident in the UK, US or a supported EU country
- Transfers within the stated daily account limit
- Recipient with a Nigerian bank account
Documents needed
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of address for some sending markets
- Recipient bank account name and number
Big cash-pickup network
Ria Money Transfer
★★★★☆
US and other Ria sending markets into Nigeria (inbound)
Corridors
Ria says transfers can be ready in minutes when funded by card; bank-funded transfers take days
Speed
Long-established licensed money transmitter (Euronet group) in its sending markets
Licence/ Registration
Recipients who want cash pickup rather than a bank deposit
Best For
Traditional remittance network
Type
Pros
- Cash pickup across a large Nigerian agent network (4,000+ locations per Ria's Nigeria page)
- Bank deposits to major Nigerian banks including First Bank, Access, UBA and GTBank
- Decades-old, heavily regulated operator with promotional pricing for first transfers
Cons
- Funding by bank account is slow (several business days per Ria's own page)
- Exchange-rate margin varies by corridor and payment method — the headline fee is not the whole cost
- Web experience is more dated than the newer Africa-focused apps
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer costFee plus an exchange-rate margin that changes with how you pay; compare the delivered naira amount against the app-based rivals before sending
Eligibility
- Sender in a Ria-supported sending country
- Recipient with valid photo ID for cash pickup, or a Nigerian bank account for deposit
Documents needed
- Sender government ID for registration and larger transfers
- Recipient photo ID matching the transfer name for cash collection
PayPal-backed
Xoom (a PayPal service)
★★★★☆
US, Canada, UK and EEA into Nigeria (inbound)
Corridors
Cash pickup typically available in minutes per Xoom; bank deposits depend on the receiving bank
Speed
Operated under PayPal's regulated money-transfer licences in its sending markets
Licence/ Registration
Existing PayPal users who want a familiar, well-known brand
Best For
Remittance service (inbound to Nigeria)
Type
Pros
- Backed by PayPal's infrastructure, security and fraud monitoring
- Both bank deposit and cash pickup available in Nigeria, including GTBank and First Bank
- Full cost and delivered NGN amount shown upfront before you send
Cons
- Exchange-rate margins on card-funded transfers can be significant — the delivered amount is what matters
- No sending from Nigeria; it is a one-way diaspora corridor
- Rates move through the day, so quotes are only good at the moment you confirm
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer costFee varies with payment method (PayPal balance, bank, card); the rate margin is the bigger cost — compare the delivered naira amount
Eligibility
- Sender in the US, Canada, UK or EEA
- PayPal or Xoom account in the sending country
- Recipient bank account, or valid ID for cash pickup
Documents needed
- Sender identity verification through PayPal/Xoom
- Recipient photo ID for cash pickup
Mid-market rate
Wise
★★★★☆
Inbound only — send from 20+ currencies into Nigerian bank accounts; no outbound NGN transfers
Ngn Support
Wise states most transfers arrive within a day, many far faster
Speed
Regulated e-money/money-transfer institution across its sending markets (FCA in the UK, state licences in the US, others)
Licence/ Registration
Cost-conscious senders who want the transparent mid-market rate
Best For
Multi-currency transfer platform (inbound to Nigeria)
Type
Pros
- Uses the mid-market exchange rate with the fee shown separately — the most transparent pricing model in this table
- Delivered naira amount is displayed exactly before you pay
- Strong regulatory footprint and long operating history in its sending markets
Cons
- No sending from Nigeria — NGN is a receive-only currency on Wise
- Nigeria transfers have been suspended more than once historically (2016, 2020, 2022), so corridor availability is worth re-checking before relying on it
- Bank deposit only; no cash pickup for recipients
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer costA disclosed upfront fee plus the mid-market rate with no added margin; still worth comparing the final delivered naira amount against app rivals
Eligibility
- Sender in a Wise-supported country (Nigeria is not one for sending)
- Recipient's Nigerian bank account details
- Standard Wise account verification
Documents needed
- Government-issued photo ID for the sender
- Proof of address in some markets
- Source-of-funds evidence for large transfers
Most payout options
Send App by Flutterwave
★★★★☆
UK, US and 18 European countries into Nigeria; also sends between several African markets
Corridors
Advertised as near-instant for most destinations ('no long waiting periods')
Speed
Operated by Flutterwave; regulatory disclosures vary by sending country — check them in-app before sending
Licence/ Registration
Diaspora senders who want a choice of bank, wallet or cash-pickup payout
Best For
Remittance app
Type
Pros
- Three payout options in Nigeria: bank transfer, mobile money and cash pickup
- Wide sending coverage — UK, US and most of the eurozone in one app
- Flat transfer fee with a high advertised sending limit (up to $20,000)
Cons
- The exchange-rate margin is where cost can hide — the flat fee alone is not the full price
- A newer consumer brand than Western Union or Wise, with a smaller support track record
- Cash-pickup availability depends on agent coverage in the recipient's area
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeAdvertised as a low flat fee per transfer; the exchange rate applied is the bigger cost driver — always compare the delivered naira amount against two or three rivals before sending
Eligibility
- Resident of a supported sending country (UK, US or listed European countries)
- Aged 18 or over
- Recipient needs a Nigerian bank account, mobile money wallet, or valid ID for cash pickup
Documents needed
- Government-issued photo ID for sender verification
- Recipient's bank account details or wallet number
- Proof of address may be requested at higher sending amounts
BOSS Money (BOSS Revolution)
★★★★☆
United States into Nigeria (bank deposit payout)
Corridors
Most online transfers advertised as completed within minutes
Speed
US remittance service from IDT Corporation, a long-established, publicly listed telecoms and fintech group — see bossmoney.com for state licensing disclosures
Licence/ Registration
US-based senders paying into a Nigerian bank account
Best For
Remittance app
Type
Pros
- Naira paid directly into accounts at 26 Nigerian banks, including Access, GTBank, UBA and Zenith
- Frequent $0-fee promotions, including fee-free transfers for new customers
- Backed by IDT Corporation, a remittance operator with decades of US corridor experience
Cons
- US-focused — not the app for senders in the UK or Europe
- Bank deposit is the only advertised delivery method for Nigeria on its site
- Zero-fee offers can be offset by the exchange-rate margin, so the headline saving may be smaller than it looks
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeAdvertises $0-fee transactions and new-customer promotions, but a margin can still sit in the exchange rate — judge it by comparing the delivered naira amount, not the fee line
Eligibility
- US resident with a US payment method
- Aged 18 or over
- Recipient needs an account at one of the participating Nigerian banks
Documents needed
- Email address and phone number to register
- US government-issued ID for verification
- Recipient's bank name and account number
Paysend
★★★★☆
US, UK, Europe, Australia and other markets into Nigeria (dedicated corridor pages per country)
Corridors
Advertised as usually same day; US corridor page states arrival within one business day
Speed
UK-based transfer service; PCI DSS-certified card handling per its site — check paysend.com for the regulatory disclosures of your sending country
Licence/ Registration
Senders who want a small, predictable fixed fee and a simple card-to-bank flow
Best For
Remittance app
Type
Pros
- Delivers to any Nigerian bank account — no restriction to a partner-bank list
- Small fixed fee shown upfront ($1.99 on the US–Nigeria corridor at the time of checking)
- Very broad sending coverage, with dedicated Nigeria corridor pages from dozens of countries
Cons
- Bank account payout only — no cash pickup or mobile wallet delivery in Nigeria
- Same-day is the norm but the stated window is up to one business day, slower than instant rivals
- The applied exchange rate carries a margin, so the low fixed fee is not the whole cost
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeSmall fixed fee per transfer, displayed before you confirm ($1.99 quoted on the US–Nigeria page at the time of checking); the exchange rate is the other half of the price — compare the delivered naira amount before sending
Eligibility
- Resident of a supported sending country with a bank card
- Aged 18 or over
- Recipient needs a Nigerian bank account
Documents needed
- Sender's bank card details
- Government-issued ID for verification
- Recipient's bank account details
Fast card payouts
TransferGo
★★★★☆
UK, Germany and wider Europe (multiple currencies) into Nigeria
Corridors
Card payouts advertised in minutes; bank transfers from minutes to a few hours
Speed
European transfer service; regulatory disclosures per sending market are on transfergo.com — check them before first use
Licence/ Registration
UK and Europe-based senders who want speed and upfront pricing
Best For
Remittance app
Type
Pros
- Three delivery options in Nigeria: bank account, payment card or multi-currency wallet
- Card transfers advertised as arriving in minutes
- Exact cost and exchange rate shown upfront before you confirm the transfer
Cons
- Built around European sending markets — not an option for US-based senders to Nigeria
- Fees are dynamic, varying by pay-in method, payout method and amount, so quotes need checking each time
- The cheapest (free-fee) tiers are typically the slower delivery options
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeDynamic fee depending on pay-in method, payout method and amount, shown in full before you confirm; because fee and rate interact, compare the delivered naira amount rather than the fee line alone
Eligibility
- Resident of a supported European sending country (including the UK)
- Aged 18 or over
- Recipient needs a Nigerian bank account, card or TransferGo wallet
Documents needed
- Government-issued photo ID for sender verification
- Recipient's bank account or card details
- Proof of source of funds may be requested for larger amounts
Africa-wide app
Chipper Cash
★★★★☆
USA into Nigeria, plus transfers between its African markets (Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa); payouts reach 21+ African countries
Corridors
Marketed as instant in-app transfers; delivery to bank/mobile money varies by destination
Speed
Operates country-by-country across its six live markets; check the in-app disclosures for the entity serving your country
Licence/ Registration
People moving money within Africa, or US-based senders already in the Chipper ecosystem
Best For
Money app with cross-border transfers
Type
Pros
- One app covers transfers across multiple African markets plus the USA
- Sends to bank and mobile money accounts in more than 21 African countries
- Extra features beyond remittance: virtual card, bill pay, airtime and fractional stock investing
Cons
- Only six live app markets — most of Europe cannot send from Chipper, unlike dedicated remittance apps
- The company restructured heavily in 2023 (layoffs and down-rounds), a fact worth knowing before making it your main money app
- USD cash-outs in Nigeria require a domiciliary account at specific partner banks, which not everyone has
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer feeAdvertises free transfers and low cross-border rates; the effective cost sits in the exchange rate applied, so compare the delivered naira amount against a dedicated remittance app before sending
Eligibility
- Resident of one of the six live app countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, USA)
- Aged 18 or over
- Identity verification (KYC) required before transacting
Documents needed
- Government-issued photo ID
- Phone number and selfie verification
- For USD cash-out in Nigeria: a domiciliary account at FCMB, UBA, Zenith or Wema
Juicyway
★★★★☆
Transfers and exchanges across NGN, USD, CAD, EUR and GBP — notably useful for Canada- and US-based Nigerians
Corridors
Advertises same-day payments to multiple countries
Speed
Not stated in detail on the public site — confirm the regulated entity serving your country before moving significant amounts
Licence/ Registration
Nigerians in Canada or the US who want a multi-currency account with NGN built in
Best For
Multi-currency account and transfers
Type
Pros
- NGN sits alongside USD, CAD, GBP and EUR in one account, with real-time switching between them
- Serves a corridor (Canada–Nigeria) that many mainstream remittance apps handle poorly
- Supports both individuals and businesses, including stablecoin (USDT/USDC) rails
Cons
- A young platform without the long operating track record of the established remittance brands
- Licensing details are not clearly published on its public site
- Stablecoin features add exchange and volatility considerations that a plain money transfer does not have
Fees, eligibility & documents
Fees
Transfer costNot published as a simple fee table on the public site; pricing shows in-app per transaction — before committing, compare the delivered naira amount against a mainstream remittance app on the same corridor
Eligibility
- Individuals and businesses in supported countries
- Aged 18 or over
- Identity verification (KYC) required to open an account
Documents needed
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of address may be requested
- Business documents for company accounts
