Naira, exchange, cards, cash, and payments in Nigeria
Everything a traveller needs to know about using Nigerian Naira, exchanging money safely, paying with cards, and carrying cash.
Currency
NGN
Symbol
₦
Cash
Still useful
Travel ready
Keep this open before departure and again on arrival.
Understand the Naira
Nigeria’s official currency is the Nigerian Naira, written as NGN or ₦.
Common banknotes include ₦50, ₦100, ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000. Smaller notes are useful for tips and short errands.
Coins exist but are rarely used in everyday visitor transactions.
Most local pricing is quoted in naira, even when a premium service shows a dollar estimate for visitors.
Exchange money safely
Rates change daily and can differ between official, bank, card, and bureau-de-change channels.
Use banks, licensed bureaux de change, hotel-recommended exchange desks, or reputable fintech/card channels.
Avoid informal street exchangers, especially around airports, markets, and nightlife areas.
As of early May 2026, public USD to NGN references were around the mid-₦1,300s to ₦1,400 range, but always check live rates before exchanging.
Pay with cards and cash
Card acceptance is common in formal spaces, but cash is still important for flexible movement.
Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted at major hotels, malls, supermarkets, airlines, and upscale restaurants.
Carry cash for markets, local transport, tips, parking, small restaurants, beaches, guides, and rural stops.
ATMs are widely available in major cities, but limits, fees, downtime, and card declines can happen.
Checklist
Before you move
Tell your bank you are travelling to Nigeria so card transactions are less likely to be blocked.
Carry a mix of card and cash, but avoid moving around with large visible amounts.
Bring clean, recent USD, GBP, or EUR notes if you plan to exchange foreign cash; damaged notes may be rejected.
Check the Central Bank of Nigeria rate and your card provider’s rate before making large payments.
Need help putting this into your trip?
Use Visit Nigeria planning support when your trip has multiple cities, event dates, family movement, or special arrival needs.
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