How to Send Money Between the UK and Nigeria: What Works and What Doesn’t.
For many Nigerians living in the UK, students, workers, and business owners, etc., sending money home is a regular part of life. It’s how families stay connected, businesses run, and dreams are supported from a distance.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria was the top remittance-receiving country in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, receiving almost $20 billion in remittances, with the UK being one of the top source countries. But the process isn’t always easy. And, in between high fees, long delays, and failed transactions, many people are asking: what’s the best way to send money between the UK and Nigeria?
In this post, let’s break down what works (AfriChange), what doesn’t, and what you should watch out for.
Read also: How to Send Money from the UK to Nigeria with AfriChange.
What Works: Trusted Money Transfer Platforms.
Traditional banks aren’t your only option anymore. In fact, for most people, they aren’t in vogue anymore when it comes to sending money from one country to another.
Here’s what does work:
- AfriChange.
FinTech platforms like AfriChange are built for sending money seamlessly between countries. From the UK (GBP), you can send money to Australia, Canada, USA, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and other countries. You can also send through different options like Pay by Bank, Pay By Card, or regular bank transfer. With AfriChange you get:
- Better exchange rates.
- Lower transfer fees.
- Fast delivery times (minutes, not days).
- Easy-to-use mobile app or web platform.
- Zero hidden charges.
AfriChange allows people who live in the UK to send money directly to Nigeria in minutes.
Read also: Pay by Bank on AfriChange: An Easier Way to Send Money from the UK.
- Bank-to-Bank Transfers.
If both parties use banks that support international transfers, you can send money via SWIFT. But this often comes with:
- High fees (sometimes over £25 per transaction).
- Hidden currency conversion costs.
- Transfer delays of 3 to 7 working days. And in some cases, the receiving bank in Nigeria may deduct additional charges from the recipient.
What Doesn’t Work When Sending Money From The UK To Nigeria.
- Using unreliable transfer mobile apps.
Nowadays, there are dozens of money transfer apps on the market, but not all of them are built for UK to Nigeria payments. Some have complicated user interface, limited payout options, or hidden fees on transactions. Always check reviews and confirm the app supports the NGN currency directly before using it.
- Relying only on traditional UK banks for Naira transfers.
Most traditional banks in the UK don’t offer direct Naira transfers, and those that do often use poor exchange rates or require a lot of processes to initiate a transaction. You’ll likely pay higher fees and wait longer than necessary, especially when compared to digital-first platforms like AfriChange that specialise in these corridors.
- Ignoring account readiness on the Recipient’s side.
Even if you send through the right channel, some problems can still arise if the recipient’s account is inactive, has restrictions (like BVN issues), or is under compliance review. Always confirm with the recipient that their account is active and able to receive international inflows.
What to Watch Out For When Sending Money From The UK To Nigeria.
There are a few things you should always double-check before hitting “send” during your transaction:
- Exchange rates: Some platforms offer zero hidden fees but give you terrible exchange rates. Always compare the rate to the current market rate.
- Transfer limits: Some apps or services limit how much you can send daily or monthly.
- Recipient’s bank: Some Nigerian banks are faster than others. While most transfers are instant, delays can happen due to bank-side issues.
- Hidden fees: Watch out for platforms that promise ‘no fees’ but deduct heavily during conversion.
With AfriChange, you don’t have to stress about any of these. We’re transparent about our rates, fast with our transfers, and zero hidden fees, when sending money from the UK to Nigeria or any part of the world.
Wrapping Up…
Sending money between the UK and Nigeria doesn’t have to be expensive, slow, or frustrating. With the right tools and information, you can skip the fees, avoid failed transactions, and get your money where it needs to be, quickly and securely.
AfriChange makes it easy to send and receive money between the UK and Nigeria. No hassle, no stress, just a better way to move money.