Remitly 2025 Guide: Send money from UK to Nigeria instantly via bank deposit, cash pickup, or mobile wallet. Full breakdown of fees (£2-4+ for Express), speeds (minutes to 2 days), promotions (up to £15 off first transfer), and tips to maximize NGN received.
Sending money from the UK to Nigeria in 2025 shouldn’t mean battling high fees or long delays. With remittances to Nigeria hitting £5 billion annually, Remitly stands out as a digital-first solution, offering instant transfers, clear costs, and app-driven ease for the Nigerian diaspora.
Whether you’re supporting family in Lagos, paying suppliers in Abuja, or sending birthday cash to Port Harcourt, Remitly promises speed and transparency—often outpacing banks’ costly SWIFT wires. But with exchange rate markups and Nigerian bank quirks, how do you get the most naira to your recipient?
This comprehensive Remitly guide, built on 2025 user data and service updates, breaks down the entire process: setup, fees (starting at £0.99), speeds (minutes for Express), promos like £15 off your first £100, and pitfalls to avoid.
Tailored for UK-based Nigerians, SME owners, or anyone wiring funds, it’s your no-nonsense blueprint to maximize every pound sent—without the bank drama.
A Quick Reality Check: Speedy Transfers with a Catch
Remitly shines for urgent sends, with 90% of Express transfers hitting Nigerian accounts in hours. It’s FCA-regulated in the UK and CBN-compliant in Nigeria, ensuring safety, but expect 1-3% FX markups and occasional bank fees on the receiving end.
In 2025’s volatile naira market, promotions like zero-fee first sends save big—but always preview the final NGN amount before confirming.
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What Is Remitly? Your Fast Lane for UK-to-Nigeria Transfers
Remitly, a Seattle-based fintech launched in 2011, powers remittances to 170+ countries, with Nigeria as a top corridor. From the UK, send via bank deposit (e.g., to Access, Zenith), cash pickup (10,000+ agents like FirstMonie), or mobile wallets (Opay, Paga).
It’s app-first (iOS/Android, 4.7/5 stars) with a web option, boasting 2FA security, real-time tracking, and refund guarantees for delays. Why it’s hot? Better rates than Barclays’ 5-7% markups, plus promos like £15 off for new users—key in a year when UK-Nigeria flows support 10% of Nigerian households.
How to Send Money from UK to Nigeria: Step-by-Step 2025 Guide
Setting up your first transfer takes 5-10 minutes—here’s the play-by-play:
- Get Started: Download the Remitly app (App Store/Google Play) or visit remitly.com/gb/en. Sign up with email/phone; verify with UK address and ID (passport or license; selfie for high amounts).
- Add Payment Method: Link a GBP bank (e.g., Lloyds), debit card (Visa/Mastercard), or credit—debit’s cheapest. Use promo code UKBENEFIT for £15 off £100+ (valid till Dec 2025).
- Select Nigeria & Delivery: Pick “Nigeria,” then bank deposit (needs IBAN), cash pickup (agent locator), or mobile wallet (e.g., Paga number).
- Choose Speed: Express (card-funded, instant-hours) or Economy (bank transfer, 1-3 days).
- Enter Recipient Info: Full name, bank details for deposits, or phone for wallets/cash. Add a memo like “For rent.”
- Preview Costs: See NGN delivered, fee (e.g., £2.99), and rate (say, 1 GBP = ~1,650 NGN). Confirm to send.
- Track & Relax: App updates status; save the reference number for support@remitly.com queries.
2025 Tip: Save recipient details for one-tap resends; use rate alerts for naira peaks.
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Speed Options: How Fast Does Your Money Land in Nigeria?
Remitly’s dual-speed options cater to urgency or budget, with Nigerian bank quirks (like CBN holds) affecting timing:
- Express: Minutes to hours via card—85% hit same-day to banks like GTBank or cash agents (e.g., Zenith ATMs). Ideal for emergencies.
- Economy: 1-2 business days via bank transfer; up to 3-5 if holidays (like Sallah) or rural banks (e.g., microfinance) slow it down.
In 2025, “instant deposits” cover 20+ Nigerian banks, making Express nearly real-time for urban accounts. Cash pickups? Often 15-30 minutes at 10,000+ locations. Weekends? Add a day—send early.
Fees and Exchange Rates: Breaking Down 2025 Costs
Remitly’s strength is transparency—you see fees, rates, and NGN received upfront. Here’s the 2025 breakdown:
- Fees: Express: £2.99-£4.99 (cards); Economy: £0.99-£2.99 (bank) or £0 for first £250 promo. Credit cards add ~3% issuer surcharge.
- Exchange Rates: Base is mid-market (e.g., 1 GBP ≈ 1,650 NGN, Oct 2025), but markups hit 1-2.5% (Express) or 0.5-1.5% (Economy). New users get 1.5% better FX on first £250.
- Hidden Gotchas: No Remitly receiving fees, but Nigerian banks (e.g., Stanbic) may dock 0.5-1% incoming. UK VAT’s baked in.
Example: £500 Express = ~£4 fee + 2% markup = ~₦820,000 received. Economy? ~£2 fee, ~₦825,000. Always check app’s calculator.
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Example Scenario: Sending £200 to Nigeria in 2025
Let’s model a £200 send to a Lagos bank (mid-market 1 GBP ≈ 1,650 NGN, Oct 2025):
- Express (Debit Card): £3.49 fee, 2% markup = ~₦325,000 received (total cost £203.49). Lands in ~30 mins.
- Economy (Bank): £1.49 fee, 1.5% markup = ~₦328,000 (total £201.49). Takes 1-2 days.
- Promo Boost: New user with UKBENEFIT code? £0 fee on first £100, better 1.5% rate = ~₦335,000. Expires Dec 2025.
Cash pickup adds ~£1 but hits agents like FirstMonie faster—great for rural recipients.
Common Pitfalls & Tips to Stretch Your Pounds
Maximize NGN with these 2025 hacks:
- Pitfall: Wrong bank details—delays 3-7 days or refund hassle (7-10 days).
- Tip: Triple-check IBAN/phone; save recipients in-app.
- Pitfall: Credit card fees—3% extra vs. debit’s £0.
- Tip: Stick to bank ACH or debit; check for promo codes like UKBENEFIT (£15 off £100+).
- Pitfall: Nigerian bank fees—0.5-1% cuts NGN received.
- Tip: Use fast banks like Access; send mid-week to dodge holiday holds.
- Bonus: Enable rate alerts; claim first-send promos for £0 fees on £250.
App’s refund policy? Full return if undelivered—contact support fast.
Remitly vs. Alternatives: When It Wins (and When to Pivot)
Remitly’s Sweet Spot:
- Urgent sends (Express for emergencies).
- Cash pickups in 10,000+ Nigerian spots—ideal for non-banked kin.
- App lovers who want tracking and promos (e.g., £15 off first £100).
Look Elsewhere If:
- Sending £1k+—Wise’s near mid-market rates save ~₦10k vs. Remitly’s markup.
- No rush—WorldRemit’s Economy or LemFi’s wallet sends can undercut by £1-2.
- Recipient bank’s slow (rural co-ops)—try Paga wallet for instant.
For £500, Remitly’s Express nets ~₦820k; Wise might hit ₦830k but takes 2 days. Test both apps’ calculators.
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Verdict: Is Remitly Your Best Bet for UK-to-Nigeria Transfers in 2025?
Remitly’s a 2025 winner for speed-hungry senders—Express delivers in minutes, and promos like £15 off make first sends a steal. Its app’s slick, FCA/CBN compliance ensures safety, and 10 million+ users trust it globally.
But for large sums or non-urgent sends, compare with Wise or LemFi to squeeze out extra naira. In Nigeria’s cash-crunch economy, Remitly’s a reliable bridge—just preview fees and time it right.
Got a Remitly story or question? Drop it below—let’s swap tips for cheaper sends!
FAQ
Q: How fast are Remitly transfers from UK to Nigeria in 2025?
A: Express: Minutes-hours (cards); Economy: 1-3 days (bank). Cash pickup often fastest at 15-30 mins.
Q: Can I cancel a Remitly transfer?
A: Yes, if undelivered—contact support within hours for full refund, including fees if late.
Q: What’s the cheapest payment method for Remitly?
A: Debit card or bank transfer—credit adds ~3% fees. Use promos like UKBENEFIT for £15 off £100+.
Q: Are there hidden fees with Remitly in 2025?
A: No Remitly-side surprises—preview shows all. Nigerian banks may charge 0.5-1% incoming.
Q: How does Remitly compare to Wise for Nigeria sends?
A: Remitly’s faster (Express); Wise’s rates are closer to mid-market, better for £1k+ sends.
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