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How to send money to Nigeria
The safest and most cost-effective ways of sending money to friends and family in Nigeria from Australia.
Popular
Exchange Rates
Digital money transfer providers can beat the rates offered by your bank. Transferring money online to Nigeria from Australia, instead of through your local bank, will save you on fees and give you access to stronger exchange rates and faster turnaround times.
Send money to Nigeria with WorldRemit
WorldRemit International Money Transfers Offer
- Send money online within minutes
- Large range of destinations
- Able to send to cash pickup locations
Send money to Nigeria with WorldRemit
Send money to 110+ countries for bank deposit, instant e-wallet, mobile top-up or cash pickup at 30,000+ agent locations worldwide.
- Minimum transfer amount: $1
- Maximum transfer amount: $50,000
- Online transfer fee: $3.99
- Cash pick up available.
Compare services that send money to Nigeria
Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
What's in this guide?
How to send money to Nigeria online
Sign up and send money with a digital money transfer specialist in four steps:
- Sign up for a free account. Pick a provider and sign up for a free online account using your contact information, proof of ID and your preferred payment method.
- Provide transfer details. Submit your recipient's contact information and pick a delivery method. If you're transferring to a bank, you'll need your recipient's Nigerian bank account details.
- Confirm transfer details. Double-check your payment method, expected fees and destination.
- Save your receipt. Record your receipt's confirmation number to track the progress of your transfer to Nigeria. Some money transfer providers send a text or email when your transfer is complete.
What's the best way to send money to Nigeria?
Online money transfer providers typically offer the strongest exchange rates and lowest fees on money transfers to Nigeria. Some offer transfers straight to Nigerian bank accounts, while others allow the money to be picked up in Nigerian naira in person. PayPal, banks and other options are available but come with high fees, weak rates and longer turnaround times.
Digital money transfer services
Companies like OFX and TorFX specialise in foreign currencies, making them some of the most cost-effective transfers. Most offer transfers directly to your recipient's Nigerian bank account, often in as little as a day or two.
Cash transfers
Services like MoneyGram allow you to transfer cash for pickup at a local branch in Nigeria — often in 15 minutes. While it's a fast way to send money, you'll pay for the convenience in weak exchange rates and high fees. If a cash pickup is necessary, look to digital services like WorldRemit or XE when possible.
Banks
Nigerian naira may be carried by your bank. Although your local bank can convert your Australian dollars into Nigerian naira, beware of high fees and wide margins on the exchange rate compared to digital and other options.
Let's crunch the numbers: Sending $1,000 to Nigeria
Let's say you need to send $1,000 to friends or family. Here's what you might face as in fees and exchange rates.
| Digital money transfer service | Bank transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $14 | $25 |
| Exchange rate | 1 AUD = 149.72 NGN | 1 AUD = 145.14 NGN |
| Transfer speed | Within 2 days | 2-5 days |
| Amount received | NGN 149,720 | NGN 145,140 |
| Verdict |
|
|
The bank option ends up being both the slowest and gets the smallest amount of money to your recipient. If you go with the digital money transfer service, your recipient ends up with NGN 4,580 more than the bank offers. If speed is crucial, a cash transfer can typically have your transfer to Nigeria in as little as 15 minutes for just a slightly higher fee.
How to get the most out of your money transfer
Weigh costs and fees against convenience, and learn how to compare money transfer providers that send to Nigeria to meet your needs:
- Exchange rates. The AUD-NGN relationship fluctuates daily, so locking in an exchange rate now may save you money down the line.
- Transfer fees. Transferring money overseas nearly always requires fees, but they might be hidden in the exchange rate. When sending large amounts, it may be cheaper to pay a flat fee to secure a stronger exchange rate.
- Transfer limits. How much you can send varies by company, and different amounts can attract higher or lower fees. Shop around for the best deal on the amount of Nigerian naira you're sending.
- Turnaround. Transferring money through a local bank can take a business week or longer. If you need the funds delivered quickly, seek out a digital specialist that offers instant transfers to Nigeria.
- Maximum limits. When exchange rates are favorable, sending more money can save you money in the future. If you plan to send large amounts of money to Nigeria, be sure to pick a provider that won't limit you.
- Transfer methods. Whether you want money sent to a Nigerian bank account or picked up as cash at a local agent, narrow it down to a company that matches your preferred delivery method.
Emergency cash transfer to Nigeria
When it's more important to get your money to Nigeria quickly, look for money transfer companies that support cash pickup in minutes. You can pay with a credit or debit card for fast pickup, but fees are higher than other methods.
How to send money to Nigeria without a bank account
Cash transfer services can help you if you're unbanked or marginally banked. If you don't have a bank account, look for a local company that supports storefronts for cash payments. These services include agent locations in other countries that allow your recipient to pick up cash without a bank account.
Nigeria's exchange rates explained
The exchange rate determines how much one country's currency is worth in another country's currency. When a country's currency is strong, it yields more money when exchanging it in a country with a weaker currency. Nigeria's exchange rate often fluctuates when compared to the Australian dollar, so expect exchange rates today to be different than those you'll see tomorrow. Factors that influence the exchange rate include interest rates, economic stability and inflation.
Track how the Nigerian naira trades against the Australian dollar in our historical rate chart.
Documents needed for sending to and receiving money in Nigeria
To send money to Nigeria from Australia, you'll need government-issued ID and other documents, while documents needed to pick up money in Nigeria may be different by company.
Documents to send money from Australia
To send money from Australia to Nigeria, you'll need documentation and details that include:
- Identification. Most services require a driver's license, passport or other government-issued ID.
- Payment method. Your service may accept credit or debit cards, cash, bank accounts or personal checks.
- Recipient information. Submit your recipient's name as it appears on their ID, along with their phone number, Nigerian bank account and routing number if sending to their bank.
Documents to receive money in Nigeria
To pick up money in person, documentation can include:
- Transfer number. The person sending you money can forward the transfer's confirmation details — called a PIN, a MTCN, a reference number or a tracking number, depending on the company.
- Government-issued ID. A Nigerian Passport or other ID issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) may be required to pick up your transfer in cash.
- Amount sent. You may need to know how much was sent, usually within 10% of the total.
- Sender's information. Take along your sender's full name, the sending country and their address, if known.
What to watch out for
Nigerian money transfer scams have been plaguing the money transfer world for many decades, and may be referred to as 419 scams, Nigerian Prince scams or overseas funds transfer scams. Typical signs of this scam include:
- The money needs to be sent urgently.
- The transaction requires confidentiality.
- A US or UK based person acts as a go-between for a foreigner with large amounts of money.
- Money is requested to cover a fee.
- Scammer claims they are being persecuted for religious beliefs and want to give their money away.
- Claims that your distant relative died, but you need to send money to cover fees in order to access their wealth.
If you suspect someone may be contacting you through one of these scams, you can report the scam to the ACCC if you are in Australia to alert them of this fraud attempt.
Bottom line
Sending your hard-earned money to Nigeria shouldn't cost a fortune. Compare transfer companies that specialise in foreign for the strongest rates, lowest fees and flexible delivery. For transfers to other countries, rely on our country specific guides the next time you need to make a transfer.
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Ask an Expert
Hi, how do I send money from Nigeria to Australia
Hi Kim,
Thank you for leaving a question.
On the comparison table shown on this page, the companies indicated can also send money from Nigeria to Australian and vice versa. All you need is to contact an agent location available in Nigeria for you to start the process of transferring funds to Australia. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Can I send money to Nigeria from Australia to an unrelated person and does the money have to go into a bank account. Do I need to provide written proof that the person I am sending money to is related to me.
Hi Julie,
Thanks for your question.
You may send money to Nigeria even to someone not related to you. Most money transfer providers will not require you to show proof of relationship. Your recipient may receive the money through a bank account or agent locations.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Anndy
how long does it take to receive bank to bank transfer from nigeria & does the money get held up before it reaches my bank account
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your question.
The processing times usually will depend on the bank of the sender. You’d be best if you could ask your sender to check with their bank as to how long will you have to wait before you receive the funds.
May
Hi, I’m going to Lagos, Ikea, Nigeria. Will I be able to withdraw funds from a Commonwealth key card?
I want to send money to Nigeria but it’s already in pounds and I’m in Chicago. How do I send it without having to change it?
Hi English Pounds,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately due to the mechanics of an online international money transfers, the funds are required to be converted from the domestic currency to the foreign currency in the process.
We don’t know of any process where you could send it without having to convert it.
Sorry that we couldn’t be much of an assistance.
Hi George,
Thanks for your enquiry.
Depending on the Commonwealth Bank product that you’re referring to, it may be possible for you to withdraw funds when you’re in Nigeria.
You can read our Commonwealth Bank travel money guide on this page to find out more about using your existing card overseas.
Thanks,
Belinda