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The short answer
Your family member in Nigeria gives three things: their full name exactly as the bank holds it, their 10-digit NUBAN account number and the name of their bank. Nigeria does not use IBANs or sort codes for local accounts. Some services also ask for the recipient's phone number and the purpose of the payment, and the account should be active and linked to a BVN so the credit is not held.
Most failed or delayed transfers into Nigeria trace back to the details typed at the start. A sender in Ghana, whether using a bank, PAPSS or a remittance app, needs the same few fields. Get them right once, save them, and every later transfer is easier.
The three fields every sender needs
| Field | What it is | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Account name | The holder's full name as the bank records it | Using a nickname, a married name the bank has not updated, or dropping a middle name |
| Account number (NUBAN) | A 10-digit number, unique within each bank | Sending 11 digits, a phone number, or a number from a different bank |
| Bank name | The Nigerian bank or microfinance bank holding the account | Choosing a similarly named bank from the drop-down list |
The NUBAN (Nigeria Uniform Bank Account Number) standard says the number issued to a customer "shall be 10 digits which is unique within each deposit-taking institution". That is why the bank name matters as much as the number: the same ten digits can exist at two different banks. Since the revised standard, microfinance banks and other licensed institutions use NUBANs too, so a microfinance bank account can receive in the same way.
Why the name has to match
Providers paying into Nigeria check the name against the account. MoneyGram's Nigeria developer guide asks for the receiver's first and last name "as on bank statement", the 10-digit NUBAN and the bank selected from a list. GTBank's MoneyGram page says funds must be sent in the account holder's first name and surname. Western Union asks senders for the receiver's full name and bank account number. A mismatch can mean a hold or a return; see name mismatch holds.
- Send the name in the same order and spelling as on the bank app or statement.
- If the bank shows a middle name, include it unless the sender's form has no field for it.
- If your relative has changed name, update it with the bank first.
Details some senders also ask for
- Phone number: many apps ask for the recipient's number for notifications or wallet payouts. MoneyGram's mobile wallet option uses a 13-digit number starting with 234.
- Purpose of payment: family support, school fees, rent. Choose the honest answer; MoneyGram lists "transaction purpose" as a required field.
- Recipient's address or relationship to you: some Ghanaian banks ask for these for compliance.
Nothing in this list is a BVN number. The sender never needs your relative's BVN, and your relative should not share it; see is it safe to share your BVN.
Why the account itself must be in order
The receiving account must be able to accept credits. An account with no BVN or NIN linked can be restricted, and a dormant account may not accept the credit. If your relative has not used the account for a long time, ask them to check with their bank before you send. Our guide to restricted accounts explains the common causes.
Naira, not dollars
Under the CBN's 2026 foreign exchange manual, as reported by TheCable in June 2026, money received through international money transfer operators is paid out in naira. If your relative hopes to receive US dollars, they need a domiciliary account and a sender whose route pays dollars into it; most cedi-funded routes deliver naira.
If the sender uses a bank in Ghana
A Ghanaian bank sending an international payment may ask for more than an app does. Some banks route Nigeria payments through PAPSS, which pays a naira account directly; others send a SWIFT wire, which needs the Nigerian bank's SWIFT code and sometimes a correspondent bank. If your relative's bank publishes its SWIFT code, send it from the bank's own website or app rather than from a search result. For PAPSS, see our PAPSS guide.
Business accounts
If the money is going to a business, the account name is the registered business name, not the owner's personal name. A sender who types the owner's name against a business account risks the same mismatch hold as a misspelt personal name.
One more rule worth knowing: under the CBN's 2026 manual, cash collected over the counter from an inbound transfer is capped at the naira equivalent of US$200, and larger amounts go to a bank account, according to TheCable's June 2026 report. So a bank account is the reliable way to receive more than a small sum.
A message your family can copy
Ask your relative to send you the details in writing, so nobody types from memory:
Before the first transfer, many apps show the account name returned by the Nigerian bank after you enter the number. If that name differs from what your relative sent, stop and check.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme Personal Account gives your relative naira account details that Nigerian bank payments can reach, alongside dollar, pound and euro details in the same account (multicurrency account). Pryme can also produce a verifiable receipt for a transfer, with VerifyDoc.ai, if anyone needs proof the money arrived (receipts).
Questions people ask
Does Nigeria use IBAN for receiving money from Ghana?
No. Nigerian accounts use a 10-digit NUBAN plus the bank name. See our guide on IBAN and sort codes for international wires.
Does the sender need my BVN?
No. The sender needs your account name, account number and bank. Do not share your BVN.
Can I receive money from Ghana into a microfinance bank account?
Microfinance banks use NUBANs too, so a sender can pay one if the service lists that bank.
What happens if my name is spelt differently?
The transfer may be held or returned. Give the name exactly as on your bank statement.
Sources
- BusinessDay: CBN extends uniform account number to OFIs by April 20 (2020) · accessed Oct 2026
- MoneyGram Developer: Direct send options for Nigeria (23 Oct 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- GTBank: MoneyGram money transfer service · accessed Oct 2026
- Western Union blog: Send money online to a bank account in Nigeria (1 Feb 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- TheCable: CBN FX Manual 2026 report (3 Jun 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.