Coinepay | How to Send Money to Nigeria from the United Kingdom: Step-by-Step Guide

Coinepay Global Remittance lets you send money from the United Kingdom to Nigeria and have it delivered the way your recipient prefers — into a Nigerian bank account, to a mobile wallet, or as cash for pickup. This guide explains what you need before you start, how the payout methods work, and how to complete and track a transfer from the Coinepay app or dashboard. Coinepay supports transfers to Nigeria, and the exchange rate and fees are always shown clearly before you confirm.

Before you start: what the sender needs

To send to Nigeria from the UK you need a Coinepay account with identity verification (KYC) completed. Every transfer is subject to identity verification, sanctions screening and local regulations, so use your real name and details and make sure your profile is up to date. Coinepay may ask for extra information, such as the purpose of the payment or the source of your funds — having this ready helps avoid holds.

You will also need accurate details for your recipient. The exact fields depend on the payout method you choose, but in every case you need the recipient's full legal name exactly as it appears on their bank account, wallet or ID. A small spelling difference can cause a bank to return the payment.

If you haven't signed up yet, you can create a Coinepay account and finish verification first, then manage everything from the iOS app or Android app.

The local currency and how Nigeria pays out

Nigeria's local currency is the Nigerian naira (NGN). Under the Central Bank of Nigeria's revised international money transfer (IMTO) guidelines, inbound remittance proceeds are paid out in naira — into an account or wallet, or as cash. Larger amounts (above roughly the equivalent of US$200) must be paid into an account rather than handed over as cash, so for bigger transfers a bank or wallet payout is usually the practical choice.

Payout methods and what the recipient needs

Bank deposit (naira account)

This sends the money straight into your recipient's Nigerian bank account. You'll need:

The account holder's full legal name.
The receiving bank (for example Access Bank or GTBank) or its bank code.
The 10-digit NUBAN account number — Nigeria's customer-facing Uniform Bank Account Number.

Ask your recipient for the 10-digit number exactly as their bank shows it, rather than trying to build one from a branch or bank code. Nigeria has no national IBAN, so you do not need (and should not try to invent) a Nigerian IBAN for a local naira deposit.

Direct international bank wire (SWIFT)

Some transfers route to the bank directly rather than through a local naira payout. For that you'll need the receiving bank's SWIFT/BIC code, the beneficiary account details and any correspondent-bank instructions the bank provides. These are different from the details used for a local naira deposit, so ask the recipient which their bank requires. Direct wires can pass through intermediary banks, which may affect how long settlement takes.

Mobile wallet

Nigeria supports payouts to mobile money and payment-service-provider wallets (for example Airtel/Smartcash PSB). For a wallet payout you typically need the recipient's registered full name and the mobile number or wallet ID linked to the account. The wallet must be active and compliant — Nigerian rules require identification such as a BVN or NIN for basic (Tier 1) accounts and wallets, and a wallet that is restricted for non-compliance may be unable to accept the credit.

Cash pickup

With cash pickup, your recipient collects the funds at a payout location. You'll provide their full legal name as it appears on their ID, and they must bring acceptable identification to collect. Remember that larger amounts must be paid into an account under CBN rules, so cash pickup suits smaller transfers.

Step-by-step: sending the transfer

Open Coinepay and start a transfer. In the app or the 24/7 self-service dashboard, choose Global Remittance and select Nigeria as the destination.
Choose the payout method. Pick bank deposit, mobile wallet or cash pickup. The fields you'll be asked to fill depend on this choice.
Enter the amount and currency. Enter what you want to send; the destination currency for Nigeria is naira (NGN).
Enter the recipient's details. Add the full legal name and the method-specific details — the 10-digit NUBAN and bank for a deposit, the wallet number, or the name as shown on the ID for cash pickup. Double-check every digit.
Review the rate and fees. Coinepay shows the exchange rate and any fees before you confirm. Check the amount your recipient will receive in naira.
Provide any requested information. If prompted, add the purpose of the transfer or source-of-funds details to support compliance checks.
Confirm and pay. Once you confirm, the transfer is submitted for processing.
Track the status. Every transfer has status tracking in the app and dashboard. You'll be able to follow it from submitted through to paid out.

Recipient-side considerations

Funds arrive in naira. For a bank or wallet payout, the receiving account must be active and compliant with Nigerian identification requirements (BVN or NIN for basic tiers), or the bank may be unable to apply the credit. For a local naira payout, Nigeria's interbank settlement system can take some time to confirm the final payment status, so a transfer may show as processing for a while even after it has been sent. Tax or declaration questions depend on your recipient's own circumstances; if they are unsure, they should check with their bank or a local adviser.

Troubleshooting

Wrong recipient details

An incorrect account number can delay a deposit or cause the receiving bank to return it. A misspelled recipient name may leave it to the recipient's bank to decide whether it can credit the payment or must send it back. If you spot a mistake, contact Coinepay support as soon as possible — before the funds are paid out there may be more that can be done.

Compliance review

Transfers are screened against sanctions lists and may be reviewed. Coinepay does not serve sanctioned persons or jurisdictions under comprehensive sanctions. If you're asked for extra information or documents, respond promptly and make sure anything you upload is clear and matches your account details — unreadable or mismatched documents are a common cause of holds.

Delays

Bank processing hours, weekends and public holidays can extend delivery, and direct SWIFT wires can take longer because of intermediary banks. Local naira settlement confirmation can also lag. Use the status tracker first, and reach out to support if a transfer appears stuck beyond what the tracker indicates.

Returned transfers

If a bank or wallet cannot apply the credit — for example because of a details mismatch or a restricted recipient account — the payment may be returned. Confirm the recipient's details and account status, then try again or contact support for help.

Get help

For questions about a specific transfer, available payout methods or document requests, reach Coinepay support or message us on Telegram. You can learn more about Coinepay's services on our homepage.

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FAQ

What details do I need to send money to a Nigerian bank account?

You need the recipient's full legal name, their bank (or bank code), and their 10-digit NUBAN account number. Nigeria has no national IBAN, so you don't need one for a local naira deposit. Ask your recipient for the exact 10-digit number shown by their bank.

Which payout methods can I use to send money to Nigeria?

Coinepay supports bank deposit into a naira account, mobile wallet payouts, and cash pickup. Availability for a specific transfer is shown when you set it up. Under CBN rules, larger amounts must be paid into an account rather than collected as cash.

What currency will my recipient receive?

Inbound remittances to Nigeria are paid out in Nigerian naira (NGN), whether into an account or wallet or as cash, in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria's IMTO guidelines.

How do I know the exchange rate and fees before sending?

Coinepay shows the exchange rate and any fees clearly before you confirm the transfer, along with the amount your recipient will receive in naira. Nothing is charged until you review and confirm.

Why might my transfer be delayed or returned?

Common causes are an incorrect account number, a misspelled recipient name, a compliance or identity review, unclear documents, or a recipient wallet or account restricted for non-compliance. Bank hours, weekends and holidays can also extend delivery. Track the status in the app and contact support if needed.

How to Send Money to Nigeria from the United Kingdom: Step-by-Step Guide