30 Jan 2026
Every month, thousands of UK-based Nigerians open their phones and send part of their hard-earned salary back home. Whether it covers a parent's medical bill in Enugu, a sibling's university fees in Lagos, or rent for a family home in Abuja, these transfers are a lifeline that keeps households running across Nigeria.
ACE Money Transfer makes it possible to send money to Nigeria online from the UK in minutes, with low fees and competitive exchange rates. The platform supports online money transfers via its money transfer app and website, delivering funds directly to Nigerian bank accounts or through cash pickup locations. Digital providers have made sending money from the UK to Nigeria efficient, and ACE sits at the front of that shift. This guide walks you through how to transfer money, what it typically costs, what sending limits apply, and why ACE can often be the cheapest way to get naira into the hands of your loved ones. Everything here is updated for 2026 and focused specifically on the UK-to-Nigeria corridor.
The UK is Nigeria's second-largest remittance source, and the scale of these flows continues to grow. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, personal remittances into Nigeria rose to approximately US$20.98 billion in 2024, up nearly 9% from the previous year. Diaspora remittances via international money transfer operators between January and October 2024 hit US$4.22 billion, a 43.5% increase over the same period in 2023.
These funds are not abstract economic data. They pay for school fees in Ibadan, healthcare in Port Harcourt, rent in Lagos, and emergency support for families across every state. Money sent from the United Kingdom directly supports loved ones navigating daily expenses and investing in small businesses.
With naira volatility remaining a fact of life, getting the best possible exchange rate and avoiding unnecessary fees is not a luxury. It is essential. Families on the receiving end feel every percentage point lost to poor currency exchange rates or inflated charges.
Getting started with ACE is straightforward, even for new customers who have never used an online transfer service before.
Account setup: Download the ACE Money Transfer app on iOS or Android, or visit the website. Register using your UK mobile number and email address, then complete identity verification by uploading a photo ID and proof of address. This step is required under FCA rules and protects both you and your recipient.
Adding a beneficiary: Enter your Nigerian recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank records, along with their bank details - bank name, account number (10 digits), and sometimes their Bank Verification Number (BVN). If you prefer cash pickup, select that option and provide the relevant details instead. You can send money to Nigeria via bank transfer or cash pickup, depending on what works best for your family.
Choosing a payment method: ACE typically supports several UK payment options:
Bank transfer from your UK bank account
Debit card payment
Credit card (where available)
Apple Pay or other digital wallets
Instant card payments or mobile wallets are the fastest transfer methods. Once you choose Nigeria as the destination country, select your payout method, enter the amount in GBP, and review the exact NGN amount and fees before confirming. Most transfers to major Nigerian banks arrive within minutes, with clear status updates in the app.
ACE focuses on secure digital money transfers to Nigeria with flexible delivery methods and payout options. From the UK side, you can initiate an online money transfer via the ACE website or the ACE money transfer app - everything is handled digitally, 24/7.
On the Nigeria side, ACE supports several ways for your recipient to receive money. Direct bank deposit is available into accounts at major Nigerian banks including GTBank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, Access Bank, UBA, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, and Polaris Bank. Cash pickup is available for money transfers to Nigeria at partner branches and payout locations where ACE supports this route - cash pickups in Nigeria can be available within 1 hour. For mobile money and mobile wallet options, these are expanding across the industry; ACE now supports wallet transfers to Nigeria, and Revolut, for example, has noted that mobile wallet transfers to Nigeria are coming soon. ACE's primary focus remains bank account payouts and cash pickup, covering the vast majority of recipient needs.
The convenience factor matters: your recipient does not need to travel anywhere if they use a bank deposit, and funds are often available near-instantly for many corridors. Delivery method options include bank deposits, cash pickups, and Opay-powered mobile wallets depending on the provider and corridor.
The total cost of any money transfer to Nigeria depends on three things: the transfer fee, the exchange rate applied, and the payment method you choose.
Fees: ACE charges a small transfer fee that scales with the amount you send - starting from around £1.99 for smaller transfers and increasing in tiers for larger amounts. For transfers above roughly £1,000, a percentage-based fee (typically 1%) applies. Some providers charge flat fees or percentage fees for money transfers; others, like Sendwave, offer a zero transfer fee for sending money to Nigeria. Revolut charges a £1.50 fee for transfers to Nigeria. Moneytrans charges a fixed commission based on the transfer amount and has a maximum transfer limit of £800 per transaction.
Exchange rates: Exchange rates determine how many naira the recipient gets for each pound. ACE offers competitive exchange rates on GBP to NGN with live currency exchange updates in the app. Even a small margin in the rate can significantly change the naira amount received. Be aware that some providers may inflate exchange rates instead of charging flat fees - this is a common way hidden fees creep in. Exchange rates fluctuate and can affect transfer costs day to day. For context, Remitly offers a promotional rate of 1 GBP = 1,872.74 NGN, and that rate of 1 GBP equals 1,872.74 NGN applies for first 250 GBP transfers. Competitive exchange rates can vary significantly between money transfer services, so always compare before confirming.
Payment methods: Payment methods can affect transaction fees, with debit or credit card payments often incurring higher fees than direct bank transfers. Choose the option that balances speed and cost for your situation.
Sending limits: ACE supports transfers from very small amounts upward. Higher limits may require extra verification or documents under compliance rules. Transfers over certain amounts may require proof of funds.
ACE clearly shows the exact naira amount your recipient will get - the exchange rate shown before you confirm is what you pay, reflecting the company’s broader global remittance profile. No surprise charges appear afterward. Compared to UK high-street banks, which often charge £15–£30 per international wire plus 3–5% exchange rate markup, ACE's transparent fees deliver noticeably more value.
Many UK senders overpay simply because they stick with their bank or older providers for international payments. Digital transfer services often offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks, and ACE is built around exactly that principle.
ACE's strengths in the UK–Nigeria corridor include low, transparent fees with no hidden charges, competitive exchange rates that aim to beat high-street banks, fast delivery to Nigerian bank accounts often in minutes, and simple digital onboarding via app and website. ACE keeps costs low through a digital-first model: no expensive branch network, automated compliance checks, and efficient settlement systems that cut out intermediary charges.
Consider this: sending £300 to a bank account in Lagos through a traditional bank might cost you £20+ in fees and 3–5% in poor exchange rates. With ACE, the fee could be under £5 and the rate significantly closer to the mid-market level - meaning your recipient ends up with noticeably more naira for the same pounds sent.
Using comparison tools can help find the best transfer rates across providers. ACE lets you see fees and the exchange rate in the app before confirming, so you can compare and choose the cheapest way for your needs. Bank transfers to Nigeria via traditional SWIFT channels typically take 3 to 5 business days. With ACE, most transfers arrive the same day or within minutes.
Security is non-negotiable when you send money to Nigeria from the UK, and ACE treats it that way.
ACE Money Transfer is fully authorised and regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Always use trusted services authorized by the FCA in the UK - this is the single most important check you can make before trusting any provider with your funds.
The platform uses encryption, secure payment processing, and strong customer authentication. Two-factor authentication enhances account security during transfers. Anti-fraud notifications alert users to potential payment scams, and recipient confirmation ensures the name matches the account holder before funds are released. Transfers are tracked in real-time for added security, so you always know where your money is.
Client funds are safeguarded in dedicated accounts, held separately from ACE's own operational finances until delivered to the recipient. Verification checks, limits, and occasional document requests exist to keep both senders and recipients safe under UK anti-money laundering regulations. For comparison, other regulated providers include Moneytrans, which is regulated by the National Bank of Belgium.
Here is a concise walkthrough for your first transfer:
Download the ACE Money Transfer app on iOS or Android, or visit the website.
Sign up using your UK phone number and email address.
Verify your identity by uploading a valid photo ID and a selfie as prompted.
Add your Nigerian beneficiary with their correct name, bank name, and account number. Double-check spelling - a mismatch can cause delays.
Choose your payment method: UK bank account, debit card, or Apple Pay where available.
Review the fees, the GBP/NGN exchange rate, and the exact naira amount your recipient will get.
Confirm and pay. Track the status in real-time until delivered.
Transfers to Nigeria can arrive in seconds with card payments. Money can be available in Nigerian bank accounts within 15 minutes in many cases. For your first money transfer, consider sending a small amount as a test to build confidence. Once everything checks out, increase the amounts for regular support.
Smart choices can stretch every pound further so your family receives more naira, whether you’re sending money to Nigeria or transferring funds online to Ethiopia.
Watch the rate: Send GBP when the GBP/NGN exchange rate is favourable. Use ACE's live rate view to time larger transfers. Wise allows transfers in 40+ currencies to 140+ countries, and Wise allows sending money in 40+ currencies to Nigeria; similarly, ACE enables Nigerians in Greece to send money from Greece to Opay Wallets, so comparing rates across platforms before sending helps.
Choose the right payment method: Pay by UK bank transfer or debit card where fees are lower. Credit cards often carry higher transaction charges.
Plan ahead: If you know tuition is due or rent is coming up, batch your transfer to potentially reduce overall fees rather than sending multiple small amounts.
Save beneficiaries: Store trusted recipients in the ACE app for faster repeat online transfers and fewer typing errors on bank details.
Check promotions: ACE sometimes offers reduced fees on a first transfer or seasonal deals for the UK–Nigeria corridor. New customers should look for these before their first send.
How fast will my ACE money transfer reach a Nigerian bank account? Most transfers funded by card or wallet arrive within minutes. Digital services can offer near-instant or same-day transfers. Bank-funded transfers may take slightly longer, sometimes up to one banking day. For comparison, Revolut-to-Revolut transfers arrive in less than 20 seconds, though that requires both parties to use Revolut.
What information do I need from my recipient in Nigeria? You need their full legal name (matching their bank records), bank name, 10-digit account number, and sometimes their BVN. For cash pickup, you may need their phone number and a reference code.
Are there sending limits to Nigeria from the UK? Yes. ACE applies tiered sending limits that vary depending on your verification level. Higher amounts may require additional documentation.
Can I cancel or amend a transfer after sending? Once a transfer is completed and funds are delivered, changes are usually not possible. Contact ACE support immediately if you spot an error.
How does ACE protect me from fraud and scams? ACE uses encryption, two-factor authentication, real-time monitoring, and anti-fraud notifications. Transfers over certain amounts may require proof of funds.
Can I pay with Apple Pay or other digital wallets? Yes, ACE supports Apple Pay and other wallets where available. These tend to be among the fastest funding options.
For any issues, ACE support is available via email, phone, or in-app chat; you can also use the dedicated ACE contact page for further details.
When you send money home through a UK high-street bank, the transfer usually travels via the SWIFT network. This means your funds may pass through one or more intermediary banks, each potentially adding charges. Bank transfers to Nigeria typically take 3 to 5 business days through these channels, and the exchange rate applied is often far from the mid-market level. Western Union operates in over 200 countries for money transfers and remains a well-known option, but western union money transfer fees and rates are not always the most competitive for regular senders.
ACE's model bypasses much of this friction. By using local payout partnerships in Nigeria, ACE delivers NGN to bank accounts much faster, with clearer pricing and no intermediary surprises. The delivery time is measured in minutes rather than days. Real-time tracking, notifications, and transparent GBP/NGN rates shown upfront give you control that a traditional bank wire simply does not offer.
While banks may suit occasional or business-related transfers, most individuals sending money to family in Nigeria find specialist payment services like ACE more convenient and cost-effective.
Monthly family support from London. Grace is a nurse in London who sends part of her salary every month to her parents' bank account in Enugu. She uses scheduled online money transfers through the ACE app, knowing the money reaches their account within minutes. The low cost and great exchange rates mean her parents receive more naira each month than when she used her bank.
University fees from Manchester. Emeka is a student in Manchester who needs to pay his brother's university fees in Lagos before each term. He makes a larger transfer with a clear view of the exchange rate and no surprise charges, ensuring every pound counts toward tuition rather than disappearing into fees.
Building a home from Birmingham. Chioma runs a small business in Birmingham and is helping her family build a house in Abuja. She sends periodic lump sums and tracks each transaction in the ACE app, appreciating the transparent fees and fast delivery that let her manage investment services and family support from her phone, and she occasionally uses the ACE referral rewards program to earn extra credits when friends sign up.
ACE Money Transfer offers a genuinely practical way to send money to Nigeria from the UK - fast transfers to Nigerian bank accounts, a secure and regulated service, low and transparent fees, competitive exchange rates, and a user-friendly app and online experience.
Download the ACE Money Transfer app or visit the website to register in a few minutes. Keep your recipient's bank details and account number handy, and start with a small transfer if you are new to online money transfers. Every pound you save on fees and currency exchange is another pound that reaches your family.
Support your loved ones in Nigeria more efficiently and securely. Switch from expensive traditional options to ACE today and see the difference in what your recipient actually receives.
