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The short answer
Most Nigerian schools bill in naira and want payment into their naira account, so a remittance app that pays naira directly to the school's account is often the simplest route from the US; a US bank wire suits schools that publish a USD domiciliary account. Compare the total cost (fee plus exchange rate against the mid-market rate), pay a few days before the deadline, and get the school's official receipt.
Paying school fees from the US is one of the most common transfers Nigerian families make, and one of the most time-sensitive. Schools give deadlines, some send children home for late payment, and the naira can move between the day you see the bill and the day the money lands. This guide compares the ways to pay and how to keep proof.
Three ways to pay
| Route | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Remittance app to the school's naira account | You pay dollars from your US bank or debit card; the provider pays naira to the school's account | Schools that only accept naira, which is most primary and secondary schools |
| US bank international wire | Your bank sends USD to the school's domiciliary account via SWIFT | Schools or universities that publish a USD account and bill in dollars |
| Send to a family member who pays | You send naira to a relative, who pays the school | Schools that want a parent at the bursary, or cash-only levies |
What each route costs
Every route has two costs: a fee you can see and an exchange rate margin you may not. The mid-market rate is the midpoint between buying and selling rates; the gap between that and the rate you get is part of what you pay.
- Bank wire. Bank of America's wire page lists $45 for an outgoing international wire in USD, and its FAQ says wires to Nigeria should be sent in USD. Intermediary banks may also deduct fees, so the school can receive less than you sent; ask your bank whether you can pay all charges.
- Remittance apps. Providers set a fee and a rate for each transfer. Remitly's US-to-Nigeria page says cost varies by amount, payment method and delivery option, and that promotional rates apply to new customers' first transfer up to a stated amount. Check the total naira the school will receive on the confirmation screen.
- Cash-funded transfers. Since 1 January 2026, the IRS says a 1% remittance transfer tax applies when the sender pays with cash, a money order, a cashier's check or a similar physical instrument. Paying from a bank account or US debit card avoids that tax.
Worked example only: a term's fees are ₦1,500,000. If the mid-market rate on the day were ₦1,500 to $1, the fees would be worth $1,000. App A charges a $4 fee and pays ₦1,470 per dollar, so you send $1,020.41 plus $4, or $1,024.41. App B charges no fee and pays ₦1,455, so you send $1,030.93. The app with the fee is cheaper in this example. Always compare the total.
Timing around FX and deadlines
- Pay three to five working days before the deadline, especially around US and Nigerian public holidays.
- If the school bills in naira, the risk of the naira moving is yours until you pay. Paying as soon as the bill arrives removes that uncertainty.
- If you plan ahead, some parents keep a naira balance aside each month for the next term rather than converting a large sum at once.
When paying through a relative makes sense
Some schools want a parent or guardian at the bursary to collect a receipt, or charge small levies in cash. Sending to a relative can work, but it adds a step where money can be delayed or used for something else. If you go this way, send the exact amount, ask for a photo of the school's receipt the same day, and keep the transfer receipt yourself. For a university or a large secondary school with an online portal, paying the school directly is usually cleaner. See also paying your child's school in Nigeria from the US.
Getting the account details right
Fraudsters copy school letterheads and send new account numbers. Before the first payment, confirm the school's account name and number with the bursar by phone or on the school's official portal, not only from a WhatsApp message. The account name should be the school, not an individual.
Receipts and proof
- Put the child's full name, class and admission number in the payment reference.
- Save the provider's receipt showing the naira amount credited.
- Send it to the bursar and ask for the school's official receipt.
- Keep both together for the year.
Mypryme's guides to paying school fees in Nigeria from abroad and proving you paid school fees cover the Nigerian side. The IRS gift tax FAQ notes that tuition paid directly for someone is not a taxable gift, which matters mainly if you also make large gifts in the same year; see gifts to parents in Nigeria and US tax.
Where Pryme fits
With a Pryme account you can hold USD and NGN, convert with Swap when you choose and send naira to the school's account; the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve. You can generate a verifiable receipt with VerifyDoc.ai that the school can check is genuine; see receipts.
Questions people ask
Can I pay a Nigerian school directly from my US bank?
Yes, by international wire if the school has a domiciliary account. Bank of America says wires to Nigeria should be sent in USD; most schools that bill in naira prefer naira to their naira account.
Which is cheaper, a wire or an app?
It depends on the fee and the rate on the day. Compare the total naira received against the dollars you pay, including any intermediary fees on wires.
Is there a US tax on sending school fees to Nigeria?
A 1% remittance transfer tax applies from 2026 only when you pay the provider with cash or a similar physical instrument, according to the IRS. Paying from a bank account or debit card is not covered.
How do I prove I paid the school?
Keep the transfer receipt showing the naira credited, put the child's details in the reference, and ask the school for its official receipt.
Sources
- Bank of America: Wire transfers · accessed Oct 2026
- Remitly: Send money to Nigeria from the US · accessed Oct 2026
- IRS IR-2026-48: Treasury, IRS issue proposed regulations on the new remittance transfer tax, 10 Apr 2026 · accessed Oct 2026
- IRS: Frequently asked questions on gift taxes (reviewed 23 Jul 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.