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The short answer
To send money from Australia to a Nigerian bank account you need the recipient's 10-digit NUBAN account number, their bank's name and their full name exactly as the bank holds it. You pay in Australian dollars through a remittance provider or your bank, the provider converts to naira at its own rate, and under the CBN's 2026 foreign exchange rules inbound remittances are paid out in naira. Check the rate, the fee and the naira amount that will arrive before you confirm.
The details you need from your recipient
| Detail | What to ask for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Account number | The 10-digit NUBAN | Nigerian account numbers are 10 digits, unique within each bank (CBN standard as reported by BusinessDay) |
| Bank name | The exact bank, including microfinance banks and payment service banks | Many providers list hundreds of Nigerian banks and MFBs; pick the right one, not one with a similar name |
| Account name | Full name exactly as on the account | A mismatch is a common reason for a held or returned transfer |
| Phone number | A Nigerian mobile number | Some providers, such as WorldRemit, always ask for the receiver's mobile number and email |
Ask your recipient to send the details in writing, copied from their banking app rather than typed from memory. For what a NUBAN is and how its check digit works, see NUBAN explained.
Choosing how to send
There are two broad routes from Australia:
- Remittance providers such as Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, Western Union and Ria, which each have Australia-to-Nigeria pages. They show a rate and fee in a calculator and pay out through local partners in Nigeria. Wise, for example, says recipients are paid in NGN from its local bank account; Western Union says bank payouts arrive as Nigerian naira.
- Your Australian bank's international transfer, which usually travels over SWIFT and needs extra details. See Nigerian bank details for SWIFT.
Step by step with a remittance provider
- Create an account and verify your identity. Providers ask for ID; Western Union, for example, asks for a passport or Australian driver licence for online registration, and WorldRemit may ask for ID and a selfie.
- Enter the amount in AUD and choose Nigeria and bank deposit.
- Read the quote: the exchange rate, the fee and the naira amount the recipient will get.
- Choose how to pay. Options include bank transfer, PayTo, PayID or POLi on some services, and debit or credit card. Cards often cost more, and some credit card issuers treat the payment as a cash advance.
- Add the recipient's NUBAN, bank and name, and check them against what they sent you.
- Confirm, then share the tracking reference with your recipient.
How AUD becomes naira
Each provider converts at its own rate. Some say they use the mid-market rate and charge a separate fee (Wise); others say they also make money from currency exchange (Western Union, MoneyGram). The only fair way to compare is the naira amount delivered for the same AUD amount and payout method. See AUD to NGN rate vs the mid-market rate.
On the Nigerian side, the CBN's Foreign Exchange Manual 2026, in force from 1 June 2026 according to a Pavestones Legal summary, says inbound transfers through money transfer operators are paid in naira or another currency the CBN specifies, with cash withdrawal on inbound transfers capped at the naira equivalent of US$200. For a bank deposit, that means your recipient receives naira in their account.
Limits on larger amounts
Each provider sets its own limits, and most say they depend on how far your identity has been verified, the payout method and your history. A few publish figures on their Australian Nigeria pages, as at October 2026:
- Western Union: with POLi bank payments, up to $50,000 a day to a bank account and $5,000 a day for cash pickup.
- Ria: its quote widget accepts amounts between 1 and 20,000 AUD.
- Wise: no limit stated on the page, but it discounts its fee for transfers over A$40,000.
- Remitly and WorldRemit: limits vary; no figures on the page.
For a large sum such as a property payment, expect to be asked about the source of the money and the purpose of the transfer, and leave time for that. See sending a large amount.
Mistakes that cost time
- Choosing a bank with a similar name: several Nigerian microfinance banks have names close to larger banks.
- Using a nickname or shortened name instead of the full account name.
- Sending to an account that has been dormant; the receiving bank may hold the credit until the account is reactivated.
- Paying by credit card without checking whether your card issuer treats it as a cash advance, which adds fees and interest.
- Not keeping the receipt and tracking number until the recipient confirms the credit.
What the recipient sees
- A naira credit in their account, usually with the provider or its Nigerian partner bank named in the narration rather than your name.
- The amount the quote showed, if the details were correct; Nigerian banks do not charge the recipient on many of these services (GTBank says its MoneyGram beneficiaries are not charged).
- An alert from their bank, and from some providers an SMS or email.
If nothing arrives in the time the provider stated, check the tracking page first, then see how long transfers take and what to do about a wrong account number.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme account holds naira, US dollars, sterling and euros with local account details for each. If you already hold one of those currencies, Swap converts to naira and Send pays a Nigerian account; the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve.
Questions people ask
What details do I need to send money to a Nigerian bank account?
The 10-digit NUBAN account number, the bank's name and the account holder's full name as the bank holds it. Some providers also ask for the recipient's phone number.
Can I send Australian dollars and have them received as dollars in Nigeria?
Remittances are paid out in naira under the CBN 2026 rules as summarised by Pavestones Legal. For dollars, see our guide on domiciliary accounts.
Does my recipient pay a fee to receive?
Usually not on the receiving side, but check the provider; the fee you pay and the rate are shown before you send.
Is it cheaper to pay by bank transfer or card?
Providers such as Wise and Ria say card payments can cost more than bank payments, and some credit cards charge cash advance fees.
Sources
- BusinessDay: CBN extends uniform account number (NUBAN) to OFIs · accessed Oct 2026
- Mondaq (Pavestones Legal): Key regulatory update, CBN Foreign Exchange Manual 2026 · accessed Oct 2026
- Wise Australia: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Western Union Australia: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- WorldRemit Australia: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- GTBank: MoneyGram money transfer service · 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.