Send Money to Nigeria — Best Rate Calculator
See exactly how much naira your family receives from each provider. Compare Lemfi, Wise, Grey, WorldRemit and more.
USD to Nigerian Naira — Quick Reference Table
Live rates for common amounts. Both CBN official and parallel market rates.
| Amount (USD) | CBN Official (₦) | Parallel Market (₦) |
|---|
Send money to Nigeria — Full Guide
Finding the best way to send money to Nigeria can save your family hundreds of thousands of naira per year. The difference between the best and worst remittance provider for a $500 transfer is often ₦40,000–₦80,000 — money that goes to the provider rather than to your family.
This calculator helps you understand exactly how much naira your recipient gets at each provider, factoring in both the exchange rate and any fees charged. The best provider isn't always the one with the lowest fee — the exchange rate matters more for larger amounts.
Exchange Rate vs Fee: What Matters More?
For small transfers ($50–$100), a flat fee has a bigger relative impact — so zero-fee providers are best. For larger transfers ($500+), the exchange rate matters far more than the fee. A provider charging 0% fee but offering a rate 5% below the CBN official costs more than a provider charging $5 but offering a rate within 1% of CBN. Always multiply: (amount × rate) - fees = what your recipient actually gets. Our comparison table shows this final figure for each provider.
Top Providers for Sending Money to Nigeria in 2025
Lemfi (formerly Lemonade Finance) has become the go-to for many Nigerians in the UK, US, and Canada — offering zero fees on most transfers with rates very close to the CBN official rate. Grey Finance provides Nigerian domiciliary-style accounts and competitive rates. Wise offers the mid-market rate plus a transparent percentage fee. WorldRemit and RemitOne are better for cash pickup where the recipient doesn't have a bank account. Avoid international bank wires for Nigeria — the combined rate and fee impact is typically 10–20% worse than the best digital options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about send money to Nigeria
-
Lemfi (formerly Lemonade Finance) is consistently one of the cheapest ways to send money to Nigeria — it charges zero fees on most transfers and offers rates close to the official CBN rate. Grey Finance is also excellent. Wise is transparent and competitive. The worst options are traditional bank international wires and Western Union, which can cost 10–20% more in total.
-
With Lemfi and Grey Finance, transfers to Nigeria typically arrive within minutes to 1 hour. Wise usually takes 1–2 business days. WorldRemit cash pickup is often available within minutes. Traditional bank international wires take 3–5 business days and may face additional delays for compliance checks.
-
Yes. Lemfi (formerly Lemonade Finance) is a licensed money transfer operator regulated in the US, UK, and Canada. It is registered with FinCEN in the US and the FCA in the UK. It has processed billions of dollars in transfers and has a strong reputation in the Nigerian diaspora community.
-
Limits vary by provider. Wise allows up to $1,000,000 per year with full verification. Lemfi's limits depend on your verified account level. WorldRemit typically limits transfers to $9,000 per transaction. For very large transfers (over $10,000), you should use a regulated bank or specialist FX broker and be prepared to provide documentation of the source of funds.
More Naira Tools & Converters
Everything you need for Nigerian Naira exchange rates