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The short answer
To send Western Union money straight into a Nigerian bank account you enter the receiver's full name and account number and pick their bank; Western Union says the money usually arrives within the same banking day, though it can take longer. Since 1 May 2026 CBN rules require IMTO remittances to be paid in naira, so the credit lands in the recipient's naira account. The fee and exchange rate depend on how you pay and are shown in Western Union's estimator before you confirm.
A bank deposit is now the normal way to send Western Union money to Nigeria for anything beyond a small sum. Your recipient does not queue at an agent, and the money arrives as an ordinary credit. Here is how the route works, based on Western Union's own pages as read in October 2026.
What you need from your recipient
- Full name as on the bank account. Western Union's blog of 1 February 2026 tells senders to enter the receiver's full name and account number accurately. Use the account name exactly, including middle names.
- The 10-digit account number (NUBAN). Check it digit by digit; see checking a NUBAN before you send.
- The bank. Western Union's UK Nigeria page names Zenith, FirstBank, Access and UBA among payout banks, and its blog uses First Bank, GTBank and Access as examples. If your recipient's bank is not in the drop-down list, choose another route.
You do not need a SWIFT code or IBAN for this route; Western Union pays out through its local partners rather than by international wire.
What currency it arrives in
A CBN circular dated 24 March 2026, effective 1 May 2026, requires international money transfer operators to pay customers only in naira, through designated naira settlement accounts (Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, March 2026). Western Union is on the CBN's list of licensed IMTOs, so the rule applies to it.
Some of Western Union's own pages lag behind. Its US Nigeria page, read in October 2026, still says deposits to First Bank, GTBank and Access are "available for USD deposit only". That wording predates the naira-only rule. If you see it, assume the credit will be in naira unless Western Union confirms otherwise in writing for your transfer; our article on payouts in dollars instead of naira covers what to do if the two differ.
How long it takes
The 1 February 2026 blog says money usually reaches the account within the same banking day, and that speed depends on the service chosen, the amount and other factors. The UK Nigeria page shows the expected time when you choose a payment method. In practice:
- Paying by card is usually quicker than paying by bank transfer, because Western Union has your money at once.
- Weekends and Nigerian public holidays can push a credit to the next banking day.
- A transfer placed on hold for checks will not move until the check is cleared. The UK tracking FAQ says an "On hold" status means Western Union is verifying details such as your identity.
Where the cost sits
Western Union does not publish one fee for Nigeria. Its UK and US pages say fees and rates vary by how you pay and how the money is paid out, and both direct you to the estimator. Three points from the pages themselves:
- Exchange rate. The US page says Western Union also makes money from currency exchange. Compare the naira amount quoted with the mid-market rate to see the margin; see FX margin explained.
- Payment method. The UK page lists bank details, debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and cash at an agent. The US page notes that a credit card can trigger a cash-advance fee and interest from your card issuer.
- Promotions. The US page says its $0 fee offer is not available for credit card payments. A zero fee does not mean zero cost if the rate carries a margin.
A worked example
Example only, with invented figures: you send £300. Western Union quotes a £0 fee and a rate that gives your recipient ₦540,000. On the same day the mid-market rate would have given ₦570,000. The cost of the transfer is the ₦30,000 gap, about 5.3% of the mid-market value, even with no fee. Run the same check for any provider before you compare.
Steps
- Confirm the account name, 10-digit number and bank with your recipient in writing.
- In the Western Union app or site, choose Nigeria and "bank account" as the receive method.
- Choose how you pay and note the fee, rate and naira amount shown.
- Confirm and keep the MTCN; your recipient's bank may ask for the reference if a credit is slow. Our MTCN guide explains tracking statuses.
- If nothing has arrived by the next banking day, check the tracker before contacting Western Union.
Where Pryme fits
If your recipient holds a Pryme account, you can send to it in naira, and the app shows the rate and the fee before you approve. A Pryme account can be opened from any country and holds naira with dollars, pounds and euros; see multicurrency.
Questions people ask
Can Western Union send to any Nigerian bank?
Only banks in Western Union's list for Nigeria. Its pages name Zenith, FirstBank, Access, UBA and GTBank among them; check the drop-down when you send.
Will Western Union deposit dollars into my mum's domiciliary account?
Not for retail remittances after 1 May 2026: the CBN requires IMTOs to pay in naira. Some older Western Union pages still mention USD deposits.
How long does Western Union take to a Nigerian bank account?
Western Union says usually within the same banking day, but it can take longer depending on payment method, amount and checks.
Does the receiver pay anything for a Western Union bank deposit?
The fee shown in the estimator is paid by the sender when the transfer is made. The recipient's bank may have its own account charges, so ask the bank.
Sources
- Western Union blog: Send money to bank accounts in Nigeria, 1 Feb 2026 · accessed Oct 2026
- Western Union UK: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Western Union US: Send money to Nigeria · accessed Oct 2026
- Western Union UK: Track your transfer FAQ · accessed Oct 2026
- Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie: CBN directive to IMTOs (circular of 24 Mar 2026), Mar 2026 · accessed Oct 2026
- CBN: International Money Transfer Operators (licensed list) · 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.