How to Send Money from Nigeria to the USA, UK and Canada

Sending money from Nigeria to the USA, UK, Canada or anywhere abroad is harder than sending money into Nigeria. Remittance apps that pay out in Nigeria are licensed for inbound transfers, and outbound payments are controlled by Central Bank of Nigeria foreign exchange rules.

There are still legitimate ways to do it. Which one fits depends on why you are sending the money and whether you already hold foreign currency.

How to send money from Nigeria to the USA, UK or Canada

1. Through your bank, for an approved purpose. Banks can sell foreign currency for eligible purposes such as school fees, medical bills, and the Personal and Business Travel Allowances, with the right documents (often submitted on a Form A).
2. From your own domiciliary account. If you already hold US dollars or pounds in a domiciliary account, your bank can wire them abroad, subject to its documentation requirements.
3. Through a multi-currency fintech app. Apps such as Grey, Raenest and Cleva give you foreign-currency accounts, mainly for receiving payments from abroad. Some let you send from a foreign-currency balance to an account overseas. Check the current features in the app, as outbound options change with regulation.
4. Pay the recipient directly by card for things like subscriptions, within your bank's international card limit.

Where the money can go

• US bank accounts by domestic US transfer from a fintech USD balance, or by international wire from a Nigerian bank.
• UK bank accounts by sort code and account number from a GBP balance, or by international wire.
• Canadian bank accounts by international wire.
• University fees through your bank (with admission and invoice documents) or the payment platform the university uses, such as Flywire.

Sending money from Nigeria to Ghana, Kenya and other African countries

Intra-African transfers are usually handled by pan-African payment apps and some banks. Fees and supported countries vary a lot, so compare the total amount the recipient will receive, not just the fee.

The cheapest way to send money from Nigeria to the USA

The biggest cost is usually the exchange rate you get when converting naira, not the transfer fee.

• Already hold dollars? Sending from a domiciliary account or a foreign-currency balance avoids a second conversion. That is usually the cheapest route.
• Converting naira? Ask your bank, and any app you use, for the rate. Compare it with the official NFEM rate on the same day. A gap of 1% to 2% is common, and more than that is expensive.
• International wire fees from Nigerian banks are often charged in dollars, sometimes with a correspondent bank charge on top. On small amounts these fees can be larger than the exchange-rate cost.
• Paying for a service abroad? A naira card within your bank's international limit can be simpler than a transfer, but check the card's exchange rate.

Step by step: paying school fees abroad from Nigeria

1. Get the documents: the admission letter, the school's fee invoice with its bank details, and the student's passport data page.
2. Ask your bank for its Form A checklist. Each bank has its own.
3. Submit the application with your BVN, NIN and ID, and pay the naira equivalent plus charges.
4. Track the payment and send the school proof of payment (the SWIFT confirmation, called an MT103).
5. Allow time: document checks and the wire itself can take several working days, so start well before the deadline.

If the school uses a payment platform such as Flywire, follow its instructions. It shows the exact naira amount to pay and passes the payment to the school.

Paying in Nigeria

• Bank transfer in naira to fund a fintech wallet or to buy foreign currency at your bank.
• Debit card for international payments, within the limit your bank sets.

Watch the exchange rate

When you buy foreign currency, compare the rate you are offered with the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate. The difference is the real cost of the transfer.

CBN rules for sending money out of Nigeria

• Personal Travel Allowance (PTA): up to USD 4,000 per quarter for eligible travellers aged 18 and over.
• Business Travel Allowance (BTA): up to USD 5,000 per quarter.
• Cash and card split: under the 2026 Foreign Exchange Manual, up to 25% of PTA/BTA may be paid in cash, and the rest electronically (for example to a prepaid card).
• School fees and medical bills are processed by banks with supporting documents (admission letter, invoice, medical report), usually via Form A.
• Identity: you will need your BVN, NIN and valid ID for any foreign currency purchase.

Rules in this area change often. Confirm the current requirements with your bank before you start.

Common problems when sending money out of Nigeria

• Incomplete documents. Banks reject Form A applications that lack an invoice, admission letter or valid ID. Ask for the bank's checklist first.
• Card limits. Nigerian banks set their own monthly limits on international card spending. Check yours before paying abroad.
• App availability. Fintech outbound features depend on licences and can be paused. Confirm the feature works for your account before converting naira.