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The short answer
Cash pickup still exists in Nigeria through operators such as Western Union and WorldRemit, usually paid at bank branches and agent locations, but under CBN rules the cash is paid only in naira. Reports of the CBN directives say cash is for smaller amounts, around the naira equivalent of $200, with larger sums going to a bank account, and the collector needs a valid photo ID.
Many families still prefer to collect remittances in cash: an older relative without a smartphone, someone whose bank account is restricted, or a person who simply wants the money in hand the same day. Cash pickup has not disappeared in Nigeria, but it has changed a great deal since 2024. This guide sets out who still pays cash, what the central bank rules now say, what to bring to the counter and where things usually go wrong.
The naira-only rule
The biggest change is the currency. In a circular dated 31 January 2024, reported by TheCable from a notice issued by Access Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria said all transfers through international money transfer operators (IMTOs) "will be received only in Naira, either directly into the beneficiary's bank account or received in cash". The old practice of collecting dollars over the counter ended for these transfers.
The CBN went further in a circular effective 1 May 2026. According to Techeconomy's explainer (28 March 2026), IMTOs must pay inbound retail remittances only in naira, settle through naira accounts with authorised dealer banks, and price against real-time Bloomberg BMatch rates. USD cash payouts and USD credits to domiciliary accounts were removed for these transfers.
How much can be collected in cash
Both the 2024 and 2026 reports describe a cash ceiling. TheCable's 2024 report says amounts above the equivalent of $200 go to a bank account, with cash for smaller sums. Techeconomy's 2026 explainer describes the same threshold: naira cash is allowed, but above roughly $200 equivalent the money should go to a bank account. Ask the operator or paying bank to confirm the current ceiling, because the naira figure moves with the exchange rate.
Worked example (illustrative)
Suppose an aunt in London sends the naira equivalent of $150 for school fees, and a cousin in Houston sends the equivalent of $600 for rent. Under the threshold described in the reports, the first can be collected in cash at a paying location. The second should go to the recipient's bank account. If the recipient has no account, the sender should open the conversation before sending, not after the money is stuck.
Who still pays cash
What each operator's own pages said when we read them in October 2026:
| Operator | Cash pickup in Nigeria? | What its page says |
|---|---|---|
| Western Union | Yes | Collect at any Western Union agent location; bank deposit also offered |
| WorldRemit | Yes | Cash collection "at any of our pickup locations"; partners not named on the page |
| Taptap Send | No | Says cash pickup and USD domiciliary payouts were discontinued in February 2024 following the CBN directive; pays to bank accounts and mobile money |
Banks act as paying agents for many operators. Zenith Bank's international money transfer page lists Western Union, MoneyGram, WorldRemit, Sendwave and others as operators it pays for, with counter hours of 8am to 4pm on weekdays. Other banks and agent networks do the same, but the list changes, so use the sending operator's own location finder rather than a bank's old list.
What to bring to the counter
Western Union's Nigeria help page lists what a recipient needs:
- A valid ID: international passport, driver's licence, permanent voter's card, national ID card or BVN (Western Union's list)
- Be 18 or over
- The tracking number (MTCN for Western Union) or the operator's transaction reference
- The expected amount, the sender's full name and the sending country
TheCable's 2024 report lists the same four photo IDs for cash under the $200 threshold. The name on the transfer must match the ID exactly. A missing middle name or a nickname is the most common reason a counter refuses to pay.
Steps for a smooth pickup
- Sender confirms the amount is under the cash ceiling; if not, chooses bank deposit.
- Sender types the recipient's name exactly as it appears on their ID.
- Sender shares the reference number privately, never in a group chat.
- Recipient checks the operator's location finder for a nearby paying point and its hours.
- Recipient brings the original ID, the reference and the sender's details, and counts the naira before leaving the counter.
Where cash pickup goes wrong
- Name mismatch. Fixing it usually means the sender edits the transfer in the app, which can take time.
- Weekend timing. Bank counters keep business hours, so a transfer sent on Friday night may not be collectable until Monday.
- Fraud. Anyone who has the reference and a matching name can try to collect. Never read the reference out to a caller claiming to be from the bank. Our guide to remittance scams in Nigeria covers common tricks.
- Amount too large for cash. The operator may hold or redirect it. Our guide to money sent to Nigeria that has not arrived sets out what to do.
Where Pryme fits
Cash is still useful for small sums, but most families now receive larger transfers into an account. A Pryme Personal Account can be opened from any country and holds NGN, USD, GBP and EUR with local account details for each, so relatives abroad can pay in their own currency. The money stays in that currency until the account holder chooses to Swap, with the rate shown first and the fee on its own line. See multicurrency accounts or read bank account or wallet for the trade-offs.
Questions people ask
Can I still collect dollars from Western Union in Nigeria?
No. Under CBN directives reported in 2024 and 2026, IMTO transfers are paid only in naira, in cash or to a bank account.
How much can I collect as cash pickup in Nigeria?
Reports of the CBN rules describe a ceiling around the naira equivalent of $200, with larger sums sent to a bank account. Confirm the current figure with the paying operator.
What ID do I need for cash pickup?
Western Union lists an international passport, driver's licence, voter's card, national ID card or BVN. Bring the original, plus the reference number and sender's details.
Which banks pay Western Union and WorldRemit in Nigeria?
Several commercial banks act as paying agents, and Zenith Bank's page lists many operators. Use the operator's own location finder for today's list.
Sources
- TheCable: Banks to pay IMTO dollar transactions in naira after CBN's directive (13 Feb 2024) · accessed Oct 2026
- Techeconomy: What CBN's naira-only remittance policy means (28 Mar 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- WorldRemit: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Western Union Nigeria: Receive money FAQs · accessed Oct 2026
- Taptap Send: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Zenith Bank: International Money Transfer · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.