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The short answer
Money from abroad reaches UBA in two main ways: a SWIFT bank wire to your UBA naira or domiciliary account using UBA's SWIFT code UNAFNGLAXXX, or a payment through a licensed international money transfer operator paid into your account or collected. For a dollar, pound or euro wire, a UBA domiciliary account keeps the money in that currency. UBA's 2026 tariff does not publish a retail inward-transfer fee, so ask UBA and the sender's bank what each side deducts.
The routes, side by side
| Route | What the sender uses | Where it lands | Typical speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWIFT wire | Their bank's international transfer, with UBA's SWIFT code | UBA domiciliary account (USD, GBP, EUR) or naira account | Usually days, depends on intermediary banks |
| Money transfer operator (IMTO) | A licensed remittance company or app | Paid into your UBA account, or cash pickup where offered | Often same day; set by the operator |
| Transfer within the UBA group | A UBA account in another country where UBA operates | Your UBA Nigeria account | Ask UBA; treated as a cross-border transfer |
UBA runs banks in several African countries (its group has country sites such as UBA Ghana and UBA Uganda), which can help when family send from those markets, but a transfer across borders still follows FX and remittance rules on both sides. The exact product names and fees for intra-group transfers were not on the UBA pages we checked, so ask the branch or contact centre.
Receiving a SWIFT wire
The sender's bank needs UBA's SWIFT/BIC and your account details. XE lists UBA's head-office SWIFT code as UNAFNGLAXXX (the 8-character form is UNAFNGLA), with the address United Bank for Africa Plc, 57 Marina, UBA House, Lagos. Full details are in UBA SWIFT code and sort code.
- Your account name exactly as on the account.
- Your 10-digit account number. For dollars, give a USD domiciliary account number, not your naira account.
- UBA's SWIFT code and address.
- Any intermediary or correspondent bank details UBA gives you for that currency. Ask UBA for these in writing; do not copy them from forums.
- Purpose of payment, such as family support or school fees.
If you want to keep the money in dollars, you need a domiciliary account; see the UBA domiciliary account. UBA's 2026 tariff lists domiciliary interest at 0.10% on most accounts and SMS alerts at the naira equivalent of ₦6 each.
What it can cost
International wires can be reduced along the way: the sender's bank charges, an intermediary bank may deduct a fee, and the receiving bank may charge on arrival. UBA's September 2026 Service Charges and Rates lists charges for outgoing foreign currency transfers (0.5% of the amount, minimum $10, plus VAT, with telex and sender charges) but no retail inward-wire charge. Ask UBA what applies before a large payment, and ask the sender to choose the option where they pay their own bank's fees so you know what to expect.
Worked example (illustrative)
Example: your sister sends $1,000 by SWIFT. Her bank charges her its own fee separately, an intermediary deducts a made-up $20, and the receiving side deducts nothing further. You receive $980 in your domiciliary account. If the intermediary fee had been $35, you would receive $965. The point is that the amount sent and the amount received can differ, so agree with the sender who pays which charge.
Receiving through a money transfer operator
Licensed IMTOs (the remittance companies and apps your family use abroad) can pay into a UBA account. The sender picks UBA as the receiving bank and enters your account details. How the money is paid out, in naira or in foreign currency, follows the operator's product and the CBN's remittance rules; our explainer on CBN rules on remittances covers this. UBA's 2026 tariff does not list a charge for receiving an IMTO payment, but the operator sets its own fee and rate, which the sender sees before paying.
If the money has not arrived
- Ask the sender for the transfer reference: for SWIFT, the MT103 or UETR; for an IMTO, the tracking number.
- Check the details they used, especially your name and account number. A naira account number given for a dollar wire is a common reason for delays or returns.
- Contact UBA on 0700 2255 822 or cfc@ubagroup.com with the reference and amount.
- If funds are held for compliance, UBA may ask for the purpose of the payment or supporting documents. Respond quickly.
For a wider comparison of costs, see fees for receiving foreign money in Nigeria and receiving money from abroad in Nigeria.
Choosing the cheapest route
For a single large payment, such as tuition or a property deposit, a SWIFT wire into a domiciliary account is usually the clearest record. For regular smaller sums, an IMTO or app is often cheaper and faster because the sender pays one visible fee. Ask the sender to compare the amount you will actually receive, not just the headline fee.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme account has local account details for USD, GBP and EUR as well as NGN, so a sender abroad can often pay as a local transfer in their country rather than an international wire. Money stays in the currency it arrived in until you choose to Swap. See Pryme multicurrency.
Questions people ask
What is UBA SWIFT code for receiving money from abroad?
XE lists UNAFNGLAXXX as UBA's head-office SWIFT/BIC (UNAFNGLA in 8-character form), at 57 Marina, UBA House, Lagos.
Can I receive dollars into my UBA naira account?
A dollar wire is best sent to a UBA domiciliary account so it stays in dollars. Ask UBA how a foreign-currency payment into a naira account would be handled before the sender pays.
How much does UBA charge to receive money from abroad?
UBA's September 2026 tariff does not publish a retail inward-wire charge. Ask UBA, and remember the sender's bank and intermediary banks may deduct fees.
Can Western Union or other operators pay into UBA?
Licensed international money transfer operators can pay into Nigerian bank accounts, including UBA. The sender chooses UBA and enters your account details; the operator sets its fee and rate.
Sources
- XE: UBA Nigeria SWIFT code · accessed Oct 2026
- UBA: Service Charges and Rates (PDF, September 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- UBA Nigeria: Contact us · 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.