[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/viewtopic.php on line 1080: base64_decode() has been disabled for security reasons
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/viewtopic.php on line 1080: base64_decode() has been disabled for security reasons
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions_content.php on line 1273: base64_decode() has been disabled for security reasons
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions_content.php on line 1273: base64_decode() has been disabled for security reasons
nairaland.net • View topic - Wire Transfer Restrictions in Nigeria

Wire Transfer Restrictions in Nigeria

Wire Transfer Restrictions in Nigeria

Postby fw12 » Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:22 pm

Sending money via a wire transfer is usually a straight forward affair. However, sending money in and to Nigeria forces a customer to deal with country-specific restrictions. These restrictions include the fact that money transfer companies like Western Union and MoneyGram do not allow customers in Nigeria to send money abroad and restrict where money can be collected from.


Customers can only send money within the country

Western Union has more than 2,700 agents in Nigeria. However, the company does not allow customers in Nigeria to transfer money abroad, so wire transfers can only be sent within the country. In addition, sending more than $10,000, or the equivalent amount in Naira, the Nigerian currency, will be reported to the Central Bank of Nigeria.


Restrictions on collecting money in Nigeria

Although Western Union does not require a test question in most countries, it is needed in Nigeria to receive a wire transfer. Furthermore, a recipient cannot collect money without presenting a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN), which is a unique number assigned to each Western Union transaction, and present valid government-issued identification.


Restrictions on collecting money in US Dollars

While the company allows recipients to collect transferred money in U.S. dollars at no additional charge, not every Western Union location provides this service. Payment in U.S. dollars is only available at some of Nigeria's biggest banks and not at non-bank locations. Such payment is guaranteed at all locations of the following banks: First Bank of Nigeria, PLC, Zenith International Bank, Wema Bank, Standard Trust Bank. Some, but not all, locations of the following banks can provide cash payment in U.S. Dollars: Oceanic Bank International, Ecobank Nigeria PLC, Intercontinental Bank PLC, Guarantee Trust Bank, Allstates Trust Bank, NBM Bank.


Western Union restrictions on sending money to Nigeria

Typically, the company allows for wire transfer via three methods: at an agent's location, over the phone or online. However, customers sending money to Nigeria are restricted to doing so by going to an agent's office only. Furthermore, monies totaling more than $10,000 will be reported to U.S. authorities through the creation of a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) which is used to prevent money laundering and other financial frauds.


MoneyGram Restrictions

In Nigeria, MoneyGram does not allow customers to send money be it within the country or abroad. Customers can only receive money transfers at the following banks - UBA, Equitorial Trust Bank, Bank PHB, Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Spring Bank PLC, Fidelity Bank and Afribank of Nigeria PLC. To collect wired money, the recipient must have a reference number, complete a 'Receive' form and show identification at one of the affiliated banks.


http://www.ehow.com/list_6302372_wire-t ... geria.html
fw12
Nairaland Junior
 
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 6:35 am

Postby Richard Akindele » Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:45 pm

Nigeria is chocking the life out of business.

This is like saying that the way to kill weed is to not water the farm. Well, you may succeed in killing the grassy weed, but you also kill your crop along with it.

I'm aware of the country's effort in combating money laundering. But the measures being employed are too severe. This can be described as throwing the baby out with the bath water.

I've said it a million times, and I'll continue to say it. The corruption in the country is predominantly because people have not legitimate means of earning a living. And the root cause of this is the lack of stable electricity supply.

Build a 24/7 electricity infrastructure, and watch most of the corruption disappear on their own.

The government is barking up the wrong tree with EFCC, etc. As long as citizens can't make a good living in legitimate ways, they're going to resort to illicit ways.

This latest effort of clamping down on money transfers is clearly meant to keep people from moving stolen money from Nigeria. But have they thought about how that affects business transactions at the same time?

Business people need to move money back and forth. And by making this process frustrating, most businesses would simply quit doing business with Nigeria. This therefore, further compounds the country's problems.

I don't know what our strategic planners are doing in the area of banking and finance, but they're making the wrong moves here.

Once again, a poor electricity supply is the reason people can't do business profitably in Nigeria. Therefore, most aspire to get into government for easy money. EFCC is is a good idea. But if you really want to fix the country, fix PHCN.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, are you listening?
Richard Akindele
Site Admin
 
Posts: 1120
Joined: Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:33 pm
Location: USA


Return to Business

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

cron