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The short answer
A parent in Nigeria can pay a South African university directly through a Nigerian bank using Form A: under the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual effective 1 June 2026, tuition of up to US$25,000 per semester can be remitted to the institution, and maintenance of up to US$5,000 per quarter to the student, as reported by Nairametrics. In South Africa, money for living costs arrives in the student's account and is usually reported as a gift (401) or maintenance (410).
Two different payments: fees and living costs
It helps to split the money in two. Tuition goes to the university, and the Nigerian rules allow it to be paid directly as an invisible transaction through Form A. Living costs (rent, food, transport, data) go to the student. Mixing the two is what causes most problems with documents.
| Tuition | Maintenance | |
|---|---|---|
| Paid to | The South African institution | The student's own account |
| Nigerian route | Form A through an Authorised Dealer bank | Form A maintenance, a remittance service or the parent's own foreign currency |
| Limit (CBN FX Manual, 1 Jun 2026) | Up to US$25,000 per semester | Up to US$5,000 per quarter |
| Eligible study | Tertiary; not nursery, primary, secondary, foundation or A-level | Billed separately |
Source: Nairametrics report of 4 June 2026 on the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual, 4th edition. Ask the Nigerian bank to confirm the current limit and list when the parent applies.
Route 1: Form A for tuition, paid to the university
The parent applies at their Nigerian bank. The bank converts naira at its rate and sends the foreign currency by SWIFT to the university's South African account. According to the Nairametrics summary and Union Bank's own school-fees page, banks typically ask for:
- proof of admission or enrolment, and the fee invoice or schedule for the current session;
- the school's bank details, from the invoice or the university's international office;
- the student's international passport data page, and student ID for returning students;
- the first degree certificate for postgraduate study;
- a completed Form A and a signed debit instruction, with the account funded in naira;
- a letter of indemnity at some banks if the account holder's name differs from the student's.
Ask the university for its exact reference format (usually the student number) so the payment is matched. Universities in South Africa receive these payments through their own bank and allocate them to the student's fee account.
Route 2: maintenance to the student
For living costs the parent can use Form A maintenance through the bank, a licensed money transfer service, or a domiciliary account they already hold. When the money reaches the student's South African account, the bank needs the reason for the payment. On the SARB inward category list, the closest fits are 401 Gifts and 410 Alimony/Maintenance (spouse and dependants). See choosing a BoP code.
Example only: a parent in Abuja sends US$1,500 a quarter for rent and food. At an illustrative rand rate of R18 to the dollar, that is R27,000 before charges, or about R9,000 a month. If the student's rent is R6,500, the parent can see quickly whether US$1,500 is enough; check the real rate on the day.
What the student should set up in South Africa
- A bank account in the student's own name. The parent should use the name exactly as the bank holds it.
- A note from the parent stating the relationship, amount and purpose, kept on file for the bank.
- A word with the bank before the first payment, so a regular quarterly credit is expected.
- A budget in rand. The naira amount the parent pays and the rand the student receives can move apart quickly.
Common delays
- Invoice in the wrong session, or fees for a year not yet started.
- Payments to a personal account presented as tuition. Tuition should go to the institution.
- Name mismatch between the passport, the invoice and the SWIFT message.
- Holidays in either country. South African banks process on SA business days.
Questions to settle before the first payment
- Who pays the charges? On a SWIFT payment the sending bank, any intermediary bank and the receiving bank can each take a fee. Agree whether the parent sends extra to cover them.
- Which currency? Sending dollars and letting the SA bank convert means one conversion in South Africa; sending rand from Nigeria may not be possible at every bank. Ask both banks.
- How often? Quarterly maintenance fits the 2026 limit and cuts charges; monthly gives the student steadier cash flow.
- What if fees rise mid-year? Keep the latest invoice, because the bank pays against the document, not against last year's figure.
Paying fees for a younger child at a school in Nigeria is a different matter; see Form A and Form M explained for the Nigerian side and paying school fees in Nigeria from South Africa for the reverse direction.
Where Pryme fits
A parent with a Pryme account can hold naira, dollars, pounds and euros in one place and convert with Swap when the rate suits, seeing the rate and fee before approving. The student can open an account from South Africa too, and a verifiable statement can support a visa or bank query. Pryme does not offer rand accounts.
Questions people ask
How much tuition can a parent in Nigeria send to a South African university?
Up to US$25,000 per semester through Form A under the CBN FX Manual effective 1 June 2026, as reported by Nairametrics. Confirm with the bank.
Can maintenance be sent to the student directly?
Yes. The 2026 rules allow up to US$5,000 per quarter for maintenance, billed separately from tuition.
What BoP code does the student use for money from a parent?
Usually 401 Gifts or 410 Maintenance (spouse and dependants). Ask the bank if unsure.
Can Form A pay secondary school fees in South Africa?
The 2026 summary says nursery, primary, secondary, foundation and A-level fees are not eligible for the Form A tuition window.
Sources
- Nairametrics: CBN raises tuition fee remittance limit to $25,000 (4 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Union Bank: FX for school fees · accessed Oct 2026
- RMB Private Bank: SARB BoP codes for inward transactions · 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.