Sending money to Nigeria has never been more competitive. With over 25 providers now active on the GBP–NGN, EUR–NGN and USD–NGN corridors, the difference between the best and worst rate on a £500 transfer can exceed £40 — money that stays in your family's pocket if you choose wisely.
The cheapest services to send money to Nigeria
For most senders, the best combination of low fees and competitive NGN exchange rates comes from these providers:
How to get the best NGN exchange rate
The exchange rate is where providers make their margin. Some advertise "zero fees" but apply a 2–4% spread on the mid-market rate. To find the true best deal, always look at the amount received in Naira — not the advertised rate alone.
- Use our comparator above — it calculates the exact NGN amount after all fees and rate spreads.
- Compare at least 3 providers — rates fluctuate daily, the best option changes.
- Avoid your high street bank — banks typically apply a 5–8% margin on NGN, costing you significantly more.
- Check both fees AND rate — a provider with zero fees but a bad rate can cost more than one with a small fee and mid-market rate.
Sending money to Nigeria via Mobile Money
Mobile Money transfers (sending directly to an MTN, Airtel or Glo mobile wallet) are the fastest option for recipients in Nigeria. Sendwave, LemFi, Remitly and WorldRemit all support mobile money delivery to Nigeria.
Bank transfer to Nigeria (GTBank, Access, Zenith…)
For larger amounts or recipients with Nigerian bank accounts, Wise, Remitly and WorldRemit offer direct bank deposits to all major Nigerian banks including GTBank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank and First Bank. Processing takes 1–3 business days.
Cash pickup in Nigeria
If your recipient prefers cash, Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria Money have extensive agent networks across Nigeria including locations in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.