How to Use Remitly to Send Money to Nigeria — Complete Review 2026
Last updated: 7/3/2026 | By Aboki Forex
Remitly is one of the most popular international money transfer services among Nigerians in the diaspora. Founded in 2011 and publicly traded on NASDAQ, Remitly supports transfers to Nigeria from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, the EU, and many other countries. This guide covers everything you need to know — exchange rates, fees, transfer limits, supported banks, and a step-by-step walkthrough.
Remitly Nigeria at a Glance
| Supported sending countries | USA, UK, Canada, Australia, EU, UAE, and 50+ others |
| Recipient currency | Nigerian Naira (NGN) |
| Delivery method | Bank deposit to any major Nigerian bank |
| Transfer fee (USD → NGN) | $3.99–$4.99 (Economy); $0–$3.99 (Express) |
| Transfer speed | Minutes (Express) or 2–5 business days (Economy) |
| Transfer limits | Up to $2,999/day (unverified); up to $50,000/day (fully verified) |
| First transfer offer | Zero fee + improved rate for first-time users |
| Regulation | FinCEN (USA), FCA (UK), FINTRAC (Canada), ASIC (Australia) |
Express vs Economy — Which Should You Choose?
Remitly offers two speed tiers for every transfer to Nigeria:
Express
- Arrives in minutes (typically under 2 hours)
- Paid by debit card or credit card
- Slightly higher exchange rate spread
- Best when the recipient needs money urgently
Economy
- Arrives in 2–5 business days
- Paid by bank transfer (ACH in USA)
- Lower fee, slightly better rate
- Best for regular, non-urgent transfers
For most everyday transfers — family support, school fees, rent — the Economy tier saves you money with lower fees. Use Express only when timing matters.
Remitly Exchange Rate for Nigeria — Is It Competitive?
Remitly's dollar to naira exchange rate is very competitive compared to banks and Western Union, but typically sits slightly below the black market rate shown on Aboki Forex. Remitly earns a small spread on the exchange rate — this is standard practice for all remittance services (Sendwave and WorldRemit do the same).
How to check before you send: Open the Remitly app, enter your amount, and look at the "Recipient gets" figure. Compare that to what your recipient would get at the current Aboki Forex black market rate. Any service delivering within 2–5% of the black market rate is giving you an excellent deal.
First-time users: Remitly consistently offers zero fees and an improved exchange rate on your first transfer. If you've never used Remitly, check the app for a promo code before sending — new customers can save significantly on their first $200–$1,000.
What Nigerian Banks Does Remitly Support?
Remitly delivers naira directly to the recipient's account at any major Nigerian commercial bank. Supported banks include:
- GTBank (Guaranty Trust Bank)
- Access Bank
- Zenith Bank
- First Bank of Nigeria
- UBA (United Bank for Africa)
- Fidelity Bank
- Polaris Bank
- Union Bank
- Stanbic IBTC
- Sterling Bank
- FCMB
- Wema Bank, Keystone Bank
You need the recipient's 10-digit NUBAN account number and the bank name. Remitly also asks for the recipient's full name as it appears on their bank account to prevent errors.
Remitly Transfer Limits to Nigeria
| Verification Level | Daily Limit | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (email + phone) | $2,999/day | Email, phone, debit card |
| Verified (ID uploaded) | Up to $50,000/day | Government-issued ID (passport, driver's license) |
For transfers over $2,999, Remitly will ask you to upload a government ID. This is a standard KYC (Know Your Customer) requirement under anti-money-laundering regulations.
Step-by-Step: How to Send Money to Nigeria with Remitly
- Create a Remitly account. Download the Remitly app (iOS or Android) or go to remitly.com. Sign up with your email and phone number.
- Enter the amount you want to send. Choose your sending currency (USD, GBP, EUR, etc.) and set Nigeria / Nigerian Naira as the destination. The app shows you exactly how much naira the recipient will receive.
- Choose Express or Economy. Pick the speed tier that suits your needs. The fee and estimated arrival time are shown clearly before you confirm.
- Add your recipient. Enter the recipient's full name (as on their bank account), Nigerian bank name, and 10-digit account number. Remitly saves recipients for future transfers.
- Add your payment method. For Economy: link your bank account via ACH (USA only). For Express: add a debit or credit card. Debit cards work instantly.
- Review and confirm. Check the exchange rate, fee, and estimated delivery time one final time. Confirm the transfer. You'll receive an SMS and email confirmation.
- Track the transfer. Remitly's app shows real-time status. Once delivered, your recipient gets an SMS from their Nigerian bank confirming the naira credit.
Remitly Fees from Different Countries to Nigeria
| Sending Country | Economy Fee | Express Fee |
|---|---|---|
| USA (USD) | $3.99 | $4.99 (card) / $0 (bank) |
| UK (GBP) | £2.99 | £3.99 |
| Canada (CAD) | $3.99 CAD | $4.99 CAD |
| Australia (AUD) | $3.99 AUD | $4.99 AUD |
| EU (EUR) | €2.99 | €3.99 |
Fees vary by promotion. First-time senders often get zero fees. Always check the live quote in the app before sending.
Remitly vs Sendwave vs Wise for Nigeria
| Service | Fee | Speed | Rate Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remitly Express | $3.99–$4.99 | Minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good | Urgent, larger transfers |
| Sendwave | $0 | Minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great | Regular small amounts |
| Wise | 0.5–1.5% | 0–2 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best rate | Large transfers ($1,000+) |
| Remitly Economy | $3.99 | 2–5 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good | Non-urgent, lower fee |
For everyday, quick transfers under $500, Sendwave's zero fees make it hard to beat. For larger amounts, Wise's mid-market rate delivers more naira. Remitly shines when you want a reliable, well-supported app with good customer service and promotional first-transfer offers — and when you need money to arrive same-day.
Remitly Happiness Guarantee
Common Remitly Nigeria Issues
Transfer on hold / identity verification requested
For first-time senders or larger amounts, Remitly may place a transfer on hold and request ID verification (government-issued photo ID). This is standard KYC compliance — upload your passport or driver's license and the transfer is typically approved within hours.
Wrong account number entered
Always double-check the recipient's 10-digit NUBAN account number before confirming. If the account doesn't exist, Remitly's banking partner will typically return the funds within 1–5 business days. Contact Remitly support immediately if you realize you entered wrong details.
Transfer delayed (Economy tier)
Economy transfers depend on ACH bank processing, which can take 2–5 business days. If your transfer is time-sensitive, always choose Express and pay by debit card.