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The short answer
Western Union Nigeria lists a valid international passport, driver's licence, permanent voter's card, national identity card or BVN as acceptable, and asks the receiver to bring the MTCN, the expected amount, the sender's full name and the sending country. The name on the ID must match the name you entered. Note the cap: reports of the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual 2026 say cash paid over the counter on inbound transfers is limited to the naira equivalent of $200, with larger sums credited to a bank account.
The ID lists providers publish
Each money transfer company and paying bank sets its own list, within Nigerian rules. Two published examples:
| Source | IDs listed | Other items the receiver needs |
|---|---|---|
| Western Union Nigeria receive FAQ | International passport, driver's licence, permanent voter's card, national identity card, or BVN | Receiver's name, MTCN, expected amount, sender's full name, sending country, proof of being 18 or over |
| Access Bank MoneyGram page | BVN, driver's licence, international passport, PVC, NIMC card | Reference PIN, expected amount, name, address, phone number |
Access Bank's page also says only a verified BVN is acceptable in one place while listing other IDs elsewhere, and parts of it describe US dollar cash payouts that do not match the 2026 naira rules. Treat it as a guide and ask the paying branch what it accepts before the recipient travels.
The name must match
This is where most failed pickups go wrong. WorldRemit's blog on transfer problems says a cash pickup fails if the name does not match the recipient's ID,. Enter the recipient's name exactly as it appears on the ID they will bring, including the order of first and surname, and avoid nicknames or a shortened middle name.
The reference number
The sender's provider issues a reference when the transfer is paid for. Western Union calls it the MTCN, and MoneyGram the reference number or PIN. Send it to the recipient privately, together with the exact amount and your full name as entered. Anyone who has the reference and a matching ID can collect, so do not post it in a family group chat.
Where to collect
Paying locations are usually bank branches and agents working with the transfer company. The sender's app or website shows which locations pay out for that service; ask the recipient to check opening hours before travelling, especially near public holidays, and to go early in the day so that any query can be resolved while the branch is open. If the recipient lives far from a town, a bank deposit or wallet credit may cost them less in time and transport than a pickup.
How much cash can be collected
TheCable's summary of the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual 2026 says inbound transfers through money transfer operators are paid in naira, that over-the-counter cash is limited to the naira equivalent of $200, and that anything above that is credited to a bank account. In practice, this makes cash pickup suitable for small amounts; for anything larger, use a bank deposit.
What the recipient should bring
- ID
- One original, in-date document from the provider's list, with the same name you entered.
- Reference
- The MTCN, reference number or PIN you sent them.
- Amount
- The exact amount expected, in naira.
- Sender details
- Your full name as entered and the sending country, Australia.
- Phone
- A working phone in case the agent needs to call or send a code.
If the recipient's ID has expired, sort that out first rather than sending and hoping. Where an older relative has no ID on the provider's list, it is usually better to send to the account of a trusted family member or to a wallet, rather than ask someone else to collect in their name, since the collector must be the named receiver.
Steps for a smooth pickup
- Check that your provider offers cash pickup to Nigeria; Remitly's Australia page lists cash pickup alongside bank deposit and mobile wallet.
- Ask the recipient which ID they hold and copy their name from it exactly.
- Send, then pass on the reference, amount and your name privately.
- The recipient goes to a listed paying location with the ID and the details.
- If the agent refuses, ask why in writing or by message, and contact your provider with the reference.
If the pickup is delayed, see transfer from Australia delayed. For larger amounts, a bank deposit or a transfer to a Nigerian wallet avoids the cash cap. Provider walk-throughs: Western Union from Australia and MoneyGram cash pickup.
Where Pryme fits
Family with a Pryme account can receive naira into it like any Nigerian account, which avoids a trip to a pickup point. When you send, the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve.
Questions people ask
What ID is accepted for Western Union pickup in Nigeria?
Western Union Nigeria lists a valid international passport, driver's licence, permanent voter's card, national identity card or BVN.
Can someone collect cash pickup without ID in Nigeria?
No ID route appeared on the pages we read. The receiver needs valid ID matching the name entered, plus the reference number.
Is there a limit on cash pickup in Nigeria?
Reports of the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual 2026 say over-the-counter cash on inbound transfers is capped at the naira equivalent of $200; larger amounts go to a bank account.
Can I collect cash pickup in dollars in Nigeria?
Reports of the 2026 manual say money-transfer inflows are paid in naira or a currency the CBN specifies. Some older bank pages still mention dollars; check with the paying branch.
Sources
- Western Union Nigeria: FAQ, receive money · accessed Oct 2026
- Access Bank: MoneyGram · accessed Oct 2026
- WorldRemit: Scenarios affecting money transfers (28 Oct 2021) · accessed Oct 2026
- TheCable: Key points of the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual 2026 (3 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Remitly: Send money from Australia to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Legit.ng: Nigerian banks increase international card spending limits (9 Aug 2026) · 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.