How to Send Money to Nigeria from the UK: A Complete 2026 Guide

Why UK bank transfers to Nigeria are among the most expensive options

£1.1B+ — Estimated annual GBP-NGN remittance flows

Cost comparison: £500 GBP to NGN (2026)

Provider	Fee	FX Markup	Total Cost	Speed
UK Bank Wire (SWIFT)	£25–40	2–4%	£45–60	3–5 days
Wise	£3–6	0%	£3–6	1–2 days
WorldRemit	£2–5	1–2%	£7–15	1–2 days
Western Union (bank deposit)	£4–10	1–3%	£9–25	1–3 days
USDC on Stellar (via Kraken + Quidax)	£2–4	~0.3%	£3–5	< 2 hours
USDC on Tron (via Kraken + Quidax)	£2–4	~0.3%	£3–5	< 1 hour

Wise: the benchmark for GBP to NGN transfers

Crypto rails: the cheapest option for larger transfers

Watch out for parallel market rate differences

1. Compare live GBP to NGN rates

2. Choose a transfer method based on your priorities

3. Set up your UK sending account

4. Your recipient receives naira

~92% — Potential savings vs. UK bank wire on a £500 transfer

Bank transfer details your recipient will need

See live GBP to NGN rates right now

More guides for UK senders

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to send money to Nigeria from the UK?

For most amounts, USDC on Stellar or Tron (via Kraken UK and Quidax) is the cheapest option at £3–5 total on a £500 transfer. Wise is the cheapest fully traditional option at £3–6 with zero FX markup. Both are significantly cheaper than UK bank wires or Western Union. Use RemitRoutes to compare live rates for your exact amount.

How long does a GBP to NGN transfer take?

UK bank SWIFT wires: 3–5 business days. Wise: 1–2 business days. WorldRemit bank deposit: 1–2 days. Crypto rails (Stellar/Tron via Quidax): 1–2 hours end-to-end. Western Union cash pickup: minutes to a few hours.

Does my recipient need a crypto wallet to receive money via Quidax?

Yes. Your recipient needs a free Quidax account verified with their BVN. Once they receive USDC, they sell it for NGN on the Quidax exchange and withdraw to their Nigerian bank account. The process takes 30–60 minutes. Quidax is available in Nigeria and supports all major banks.

Is Wise available for GBP to NGN transfers?

Yes. Wise is FCA-regulated and fully supports GBP to NGN. It deposits NGN directly to your recipient's Nigerian bank account using the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent fee of roughly 0.6–1.2%. It is the best regulated option for recipients without crypto access.

Are there limits on how much I can send to Nigeria from the UK?

Wise allows up to £1,000,000 per transfer for verified accounts. WorldRemit limits vary by method but typically allow up to £5,000 per day for verified accounts. UK bank wires have no fixed limit but amounts over £10,000 may require additional source-of-funds documentation. Crypto exchanges like Kraken UK have tiered limits based on KYC level — standard verification allows up to £5,000/day.

Compare live rates across 370+ corridors on RemitRoutes · methodology.