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The short answer
A Nigerian receiver should give a Canadian sender their full name exactly as their bank account holds it (which should match their BVN record), their 10-digit NUBAN account number, the bank's name, and a phone number. For cash pickup, they need a valid ID in the same name; for a wire, add the bank's SWIFT code and address. They never need to share their BVN, PIN, card number or one-time codes.
The four details for an app transfer
| Detail | Why it matters | How the receiver checks it |
|---|---|---|
| Full name as the bank holds it | Mismatches hold or return transfers | Bank app, statement or debit card |
| 10-digit account number (NUBAN) | Identifies the account at that bank | Bank app or statement |
| Bank name | The same number can exist at different banks | Exact bank name, including after mergers |
| Phone number | Some apps notify recipients or need it for cash pickup or wallets | Number in regular use |
The name matters most. Nigerian bank accounts are linked to the holder's Bank Verification Number, so the name on the account should match the BVN record. If the receiver is unsure what name their BVN holds, NIBSS's USSD service lets them check: dialling *565*1# validates a BVN and shows the registered name, for a ₦20 charge, according to NIBSS's page (modified November 2025). Our Nigeria library explains what the BVN and NIN are each for.
Why a 10-digit number, and why the bank name
Under the CBN's NUBAN standards (circular of 9 March 2020), every deposit-taking institution gives customers a 10-digit account number: a 9-digit serial number plus one check digit. Behind it sits a bank code that the app adds when you choose the bank. That is why the bank name must be right: the same 10 digits could be a valid account at another bank. See what a NUBAN is.
Extra details for other payout types
Cash pickup
Where cash pickup is offered, the receiver must show ID in the name you typed. Western Union's Nigeria receive FAQ lists an international passport, driver's licence, permanent voter's card, national ID card or BVN as accepted, and asks for the tracking number (MTCN), expected amount, sender's full name and sending country; receivers must be 18 or over. Sendwave's Canada page says its cash pickup recipients at Access, Zenith and Fidelity get an SMS with a voucher code and a password.
Bank wire
For a SWIFT wire, add the receiver's home address, the bank's address and SWIFT/BIC code, and any intermediary bank, ideally from the bank's own incoming-transfer instructions. For US dollars, the domiciliary account number, which differs from the naira account number.
When the name does not match
Name mismatches are the most common snag. They happen when a receiver gives a short form of their name, leaves out a middle name, uses a married name the bank has not updated, or reverses the order of names. Some transfers go through with a small difference; others are held for review or returned, depending on the provider and the bank.
- Ask the receiver to copy the name from their banking app or statement, not type it from memory.
- Keep the order the bank uses, which may be surname first.
- If the receiver has changed their name, they should update their bank and BVN records before you send a large amount.
Our page on name mismatches explains what happens to a held transfer.
What the receiver should never send you
- Their BVN or NIN. A sender does not need either to pay an account.
- Their debit card number, PIN or CVV.
- One-time passwords or codes from their bank or from *565#.
- Internet banking passwords or token codes.
If someone claiming to be a relative asks you to send to a new account in a different name "because my account is blocked", call them on a number you already know before paying. Our Nigeria library covers transfer scams aimed at the diaspora.
One more practical point: ask the receiver to tell you if they close or change the account. Many diaspora senders keep a recipient saved for years, and a payment to a dormant or closed account can be returned days later, after the provider's conversion, leaving you with less than you sent.
A message template the receiver can fill
Steps before the first transfer
- Ask for the details in writing, not by voice note, so digits are not misheard.
- Read the account number back digit by digit.
- If the app shows the account holder's name after you enter the number, compare it with what the receiver gave you.
- Send a small first transfer and confirm it arrived.
- Save the recipient in the app so you do not retype the number.
Get this wrong and recovery is hard: Taptap Send's Nigeria page, for example, says a transfer to a wrong number or account cannot be reversed. Our guide to a transfer to the wrong account covers what to do.
Where Pryme fits
With Send in a Pryme account, you save Nigerian recipients once and pay them from your naira balance. The app shows the rate and the fee before you approve.
Questions people ask
Does the receiver need to give me their BVN?
No. You pay an account using the name, 10-digit account number and bank. The receiver should not share their BVN, PIN or one-time codes.
What name should my Nigerian recipient give?
The name exactly as their bank account holds it, which should match their BVN record. Nicknames or missing middle names can hold a transfer.
What ID does a Western Union receiver need in Nigeria?
Western Union's Nigeria FAQ lists an international passport, driver's licence, PVC, national ID card or BVN, plus the MTCN and the sender's details.
Is the account number enough to send money to Nigeria?
No. You also need the bank name, because the same 10-digit number can be valid at more than one bank.
Sources
- NIBSS: USSD Validation Services · accessed Oct 2026
- CBN Revised Standards on Nigeria Uniform Bank Account Number (NUBAN), 9 Mar 2020 (RegAlert text) · accessed Oct 2026
- Western Union Nigeria: Receive money FAQ · accessed Oct 2026
- Sendwave: Send money to Nigeria from Canada · accessed Oct 2026
- Taptap Send: Send money to Nigeria · 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.