How to Send Money from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria — Best Ways 2026
Last updated: 7 July 2026 | By Aboki Forex
Saudi Arabia hosts one of the largest Nigerian communities in the Gulf — workers in healthcare, construction, education, and services, plus pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah. Unlike the USA or UK corridor, popular diaspora apps like Sendwave and LemFi do not operate from Saudi Arabia, so the options look different: Saudi bank remittance services, exchange houses, Western Union/MoneyGram, and USDT P2P. This guide compares them all and shows how to get the most naira for your riyals.
Quick Comparison — Saudi Arabia to Nigeria
| Method | Speed | Rate Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Tahweel Al Rajhi | Minutes–1 day | Official-channel rate |
| Enjaz (Bank Albilad) | Minutes–1 day | Official-channel rate |
| Urpay / STC Pay | Minutes | Official-channel rate |
| Western Union / MoneyGram | Minutes (cash pickup) | Official-channel rate |
| USDT P2P (crypto) | Under 1 hour | Close to black market rate |
First: Know the Riyal to Naira Benchmark
The Saudi riyal is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75 SAR = 1 USD, so the riyal to naira rate moves in lockstep with the dollar to naira rate. Before sending anything, check the current Saudi riyal to naira rate and the dollar to naira black market rate on Aboki Forex. Whatever service you use, divide the naira delivered by the riyals you paid — that's your real rate, and the benchmark tells you how much the service kept.
Option 1: Tahweel Al Rajhi (Al Rajhi Bank)
Tahweel Al Rajhi is Al Rajhi Bank's dedicated remittance service and the most widely used transfer channel among African workers in Saudi Arabia. You can send through the Tahweel app or at any Tahweel branch.
- Delivery to Nigeria: direct deposit to Nigerian bank accounts, or cash pickup through partner networks.
- Requirements: valid Iqama (residence permit) and a Tahweel/Al Rajhi account.
- Fees: modest flat fee per transfer; the exchange rate carries an additional spread.
- Speed: bank deposits usually arrive same day; cash pickup is near-instant.
Option 2: Enjaz (Bank Albilad)
Enjaz is Bank Albilad's remittance arm, with branches across the Kingdom and an app. Like Tahweel, it supports Nigeria via bank deposit and cash pickup partners. Rates and fees are similar to Tahweel Al Rajhi — it's worth checking both on the day you send, as their naira quotes differ slightly.
Option 3: Urpay and STC Pay
Digital wallets Urpay (Al Rajhi's fintech wallet) and STC Pay both offer international transfers — STC Pay's international transfers run on the Western Union network. They're convenient if your salary is already paid into the wallet: you can send to a Nigerian bank account or set up Western Union cash pickup directly from your phone, without visiting a branch.
Option 4: Western Union and MoneyGram
Both networks operate widely in Saudi Arabia through banks and exchange houses. Your recipient collects naira in cash at any Western Union or MoneyGram agent location in Nigeria (major bank branches), or receives a bank deposit. Cash pickup is available within minutes — useful for recipients without a bank account. See our guide to receiving Western Union in Nigeria for the pickup process and required ID.
Option 5: USDT P2P — Usually the Best Naira Rate
The official channels above convert riyals at rates tied to Nigeria's official window, which is typically below the parallel market. Many Nigerians in Saudi Arabia get significantly more naira per riyal using stablecoins:
- Buy USDT with SAR on a crypto exchange's P2P market (Binance P2P and Bybit P2P both have active SAR markets).
- Sell the USDT for naira on the same exchange's NGN P2P market — the naira is paid directly into your recipient's Nigerian bank account.
The USDT sell rate in Nigeria tracks the USDT to naira rate, which sits at or near the black market rate. The trade-offs: you need a verified exchange account, you must follow P2P safety rules (only release crypto after payment confirms in your bank app), and Saudi Arabia's regulatory stance on crypto means this route is at your own discretion. Read our Binance P2P guide and forex scam safety guide before using this method.
Which Method Should You Use?
- Family support, recipient has a bank account: Tahweel Al Rajhi or Enjaz app transfer — reliable, regulated, same-day.
- Recipient needs cash urgently: Western Union or MoneyGram cash pickup via STC Pay, Urpay, or an exchange house.
- Maximizing the naira rate on larger amounts: USDT P2P, if you're comfortable with crypto and follow the safety rules.
- Salary earner sending monthly: compare Tahweel vs Enjaz quotes each month; the difference on a full salary transfer adds up over a year.
Documents You Need
- Valid Iqama (residence permit) — required by all licensed Saudi remittance channels.
- Recipient's full name and 10-digit NUBAN account number for bank deposits.
- For cash pickup: recipient needs government-issued ID and the transaction reference number (MTCN for Western Union).