Quick answer
To send money from Nigeria to the UK or US, compare bank international transfer, domiciliary account transfer, approved fintech or card-payment routes, confirm fees and exchange rate, prepare recipient details and keep receipts for records.
This guide is written for Nigerians who need a practical next step. It gives the direct answer first, then shows what to verify, what to prepare, what mistakes to avoid and which related Explainer.NG pages can help.
Routes to compare
The best route depends on whether you are paying school fees, family support, business invoices, travel costs or subscriptions.
Banks may request documentation for some outward transfers, especially school fees, medical bills or business payments.
Start with the purpose of payment. A school-fee transfer may need admission and invoice evidence, while a family-support transfer may need less documentation but still requires correct recipient details.
Compare the total cost, not only the headline fee. Exchange-rate spread, intermediary charges and receiving-bank charges can change the final amount.
- Bank transfer
- Domiciliary account transfer
- Approved fintech service
- Card payment
- School-fee payment route
- Business invoice payment
Details needed
You may need recipient name, bank name, account number, sort code or routing number, SWIFT/BIC, address and payment purpose.
Confirm details with the recipient before sending because wrong international transfers can be difficult to reverse.
For UK payments, sort code and account number are common. For US payments, routing number, account number and sometimes bank address may be required.
If the recipient gives intermediary-bank details, copy them carefully and ask your bank where each field should go.
Safety and records
Check fees, exchange rate, transfer time and refund process. Keep receipts, invoice or admission documents if the payment supports a visa, school or business file.
Avoid informal channels that cannot provide evidence.
Send a small test amount where the provider allows it, especially when paying a new recipient or business abroad.
Keep screenshots, receipts, invoice and chat confirmation until the recipient confirms full value received.
Checklist
- Choose route
- Confirm recipient details
- Check fees
- Check exchange rate
- Keep invoice or purpose evidence
- Save receipt
People also ask
Can I send dollars from a domiciliary account?
Banks may support foreign-currency transfers subject to rules and documentation.
What details do I need for UK transfer?
Recipient name, bank details and payment purpose are usually needed.
What details do I need for US transfer?
Recipient bank and routing details may be needed.
Is informal transfer safe?
It carries evidence and fraud risks.
Can it support visa evidence?
Receipts and legitimate source records can help.