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Sending Money to Nigeria: Complete Guide 2026
Compare the best services to send money to Nigeria from the UK, US and Europe. Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit and Western Union compared with fees and exchange rates.
In summary
Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and receives over $20 billion in remittances annually. Compare the best money transfer services to Nigeria at the best rates.
Nigeria is the largest remittance recipient in Sub-Saharan Africa, receiving over $20 billion annually according to the World Bank. The Nigerian diaspora in the UK, US, Italy, and Spain sends billions back home to Africa's most populous country each year.
Why compare before sending?
Transfer fees to Nigeria can reach 7-8% with traditional banks. Using Wise or Remitly can reduce these fees to under 1%. The savings add up significantly over a year of regular transfers.
Best providers for Nigeria
**Wise** — Excellent for bank transfers. Real mid-market exchange rate, transparent fees from 0.5% to 1%. Delivery to Nigerian bank accounts in 1-2 business days.
**Remitly** — Great for transfers to Nigerian bank accounts and mobile wallets. Competitive fees from 0.5% in economy mode. Supports express transfers in minutes.
**WorldRemit** — Very popular for Nigeria. Send to bank accounts, mobile money, and cash pickup. Fees from 1.5% of the amount.
**Western Union** — Extensive network across Nigeria with hundreds of agents. Ideal for instant cash pickups nationwide, including rural areas. Higher fees (3-5%).
**MoneyGram** — Reliable alternative with good agent network. Fast transfers to bank accounts and cash pickups.
**Sendwave** — App specialized in African transfers. Very competitive for Nigeria with low fees and fast transfers.
Fee comparison table
For a $200 transfer to Nigeria in 2026:
| Service | Fee | Rate | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ~$1.50 | Real | 1-2 days |
| Remitly | ~$1 (economy) | Real + 0.5% | 3-5 days |
| WorldRemit | ~$2.50 | Real + 0.8% | 1-24h |
| Western Union | ~$6 | 2-3% margin | Minutes |
| MoneyGram | ~$5 | 2% margin | Minutes |
| Sendwave | ~$1.50 | Competitive | Minutes |
| Traditional bank | ~$10-15 | Poor rate | 3-5 days |
Reception methods in Nigeria
Recipients in Nigeria can receive money to bank accounts (local NGN transfer), cash at Western Union/MoneyGram agents, or via mobile wallets like Paga and OPay. Mobile banking is booming with over 60% of adults using mobile financial services.
Tips to save money
Use TransfertCompare to see current rates and save up to 80% on your transfers to Nigeria.
Charles Parenteau
Fondateur de TransfertCompare. Expert en transferts d'argent internationaux et en fintech. Je compare les solutions pour vous aider à économiser sur chaque envoi.En savoir plus →