AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
To pay euro from an Irish bank into a Nigerian account you need the account holder's full name and address, the 10-digit NUBAN of a euro domiciliary account, the Nigerian bank's SWIFT/BIC code, the bank's name and address, and any correspondent (intermediary) bank the Nigerian bank names for euro. Add a clear purpose for the payment. Nigeria does not use IBANs, so the NUBAN goes in the account-number field.
The checklist
Irish banks' forms differ slightly, but AIB's and Bank of Ireland's pages, checked in October 2026, ask for the same core items for a payment outside SEPA. Mapped to a Nigerian account, they are:
| Field | What to enter | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary name | The account holder's full name, in the same order as on the account | Recipient's bank app or statement |
| Beneficiary address | The account holder's address in Nigeria | Recipient |
| Account number | The 10-digit NUBAN of the euro domiciliary account | Recipient's bank app or statement |
| Bank BIC (SWIFT code) | 8 or 11 characters, identifying the Nigerian bank | The bank's own incoming-transfer instructions |
| Bank name and address | Head office or the branch named in the instructions | Same instructions |
| Correspondent bank | The bank, often in Europe, that holds the Nigerian bank's euro account, with its BIC | Same instructions, if given |
| Currency | EUR | Must match the account |
| Purpose | For example "school fees" or "family support" | You |
Why each field matters
The NUBAN, not an IBAN
Irish banking forms often ask for an IBAN. Nigeria does not issue them. Under the CBN's NUBAN standard, every deposit-taking institution gives each account a 10-digit customer-facing number that includes a check digit, so enter that 10-digit number in the account-number field. AIB's page says the receiver's IBAN "or the normal account number" can be given, and that IBAN is mandatory only for EEA and certain other countries. Bank of Ireland says most non-SEPA countries need a BIC plus an account number or an IBAN.
A euro account, not a naira one
The account should be a euro domiciliary account. Union Bank and Fidelity Bank, for example, both publish euro domiciliary accounts. Sending euro to a naira account leaves the Nigerian bank to decide how to convert or whether to return it, which costs time and money. If the recipient only has a naira account, a remittance app paying naira is the more natural route; see when a NUBAN alone is enough.
The BIC from the bank, not a website
Many Nigerian banks have more than one BIC (head office, branch, or a code used for a particular currency). Ask the recipient for the bank's written instructions for receiving euro, usually a one-page PDF or a branch letter, and copy the BIC from that. The Ledger keeps bank-by-bank pages, for example on GTBank's SWIFT code, but the bank's own instructions are the final word.
The correspondent bank
A Nigerian bank receives euro through an account at a correspondent bank. If its instructions name one, include it. AIB says it reaches local systems through intermediary banks chosen by AIB or nominated by the receiver's bank, and its online form shows no separate intermediary field, so for AIB ask the branch. Leaving a named correspondent out can add a step and another fee.
Purpose
AIB asks for the reason for payment in the additional information area and says purpose codes are mandatory for some countries; a missing code can cause delay or rejection. Nigeria is not named on its list, but a clear purpose helps both banks' checks either way.
Common mistakes
- Using a nickname or leaving out a middle name the account carries.
- Copying a naira account number when the euro account has its own NUBAN.
- Typing "IBAN" or spaces into the account field; AIB says to leave the word out and use no spaces.
- Choosing "sender pays all" without checking it is offered; AIB's online payments are Shared only.
- Sending before the recipient has confirmed the account is active for incoming foreign transfers.
After sending
Give the recipient the amount, date and your bank's reference, and ask your bank for the UETR. Swift describes the UETR as a 36-character reference carried by every Swift payment that lets any bank in the chain locate it. For the bank-specific steps, see AIB and Bank of Ireland.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme account can hold EUR with its own local details alongside NGN, so euro received can stay euro until you choose to convert with Swap; the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve. See multicurrency.
Questions people ask
Is a SWIFT code the same as a BIC?
Yes. Banks use the two names for the same code, which identifies the receiving bank.
What do I put in the IBAN box for a Nigerian account?
Nigeria has no IBAN. Enter the 10-digit NUBAN as the account number; most Irish forms let you choose account number instead of IBAN.
Do I need an intermediary bank to send euro to Nigeria?
Only if the Nigerian bank's instructions name one. Include it where your bank's form allows, or ask the branch.
Can I send euro to a naira account?
It is better not to. Ask the recipient for a euro domiciliary account or use a remittance app that pays naira.
Sources
- International Payments Q&As, AIB · accessed Oct 2026
- International Payments Support: Transfers, Bank of Ireland · accessed Oct 2026
- CBN Revised NUBAN Standards circular (9 Mar 2020), text via RegAlert · accessed Oct 2026
- What is a UETR?, Swift · accessed Oct 2026
- Domiciliary Account, Union Bank · accessed Oct 2026
- Diaspora Banking, Fidelity Bank · 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.