Skip to main content

Nigeria payment system overview

Understand the Nigeria payment system in more detail

Local NGN payments are supported via four payment schemes: NIP (NIBSS Instant Payments), Etranzact, NEFT, and RTGS. Senders are generally not able to choose their payment scheme — routing is determined automatically based on the amount and the sender's bank configuration unless via Manual Instruction.
​

NIP (NIBSS Instant Payments)

NIP is Nigeria's primary interbank instant payment scheme, operated by NIBSS (Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System). It is available 24/7 and supports payments of up to NGN 100 million per transaction. Funds are typically credited to your NGN wallet within 1 hour.

NIP is supported via both Paga and FCMB details.
​

Etranzact

Etranzact is an alternative real-time payment network in Nigeria, supporting higher transaction values of up to NGN 200 million per transaction. It operates 24/7, however it can have higher failure rates than NIP domestically. Allow up to 1 full working day for funds to be credited.

Etranzact is via both Paga and FCMB details.
​

NEFT (Nigeria Electronic Funds Transfer)

NEFT is a batch payment scheme that settles within 1 working day and supports payments above NGN 100 million. Payments clear across four daily windows with a cut-off of 2pm local time — for example, a payment sent at 9:45am clears at 10am; a payment sent at 2:01pm clears at 8am the following working day.

NEFT is supported via FCMB only.
​

RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement)

RTGS is a batch payment scheme for high-value transfers above NGN 100 million, with a midday cut-off. Payments initiated before 12pm settle the same day; payments after 12pm are applied the next working day.

RTGS is supported via FCMB only.

Did this answer your question?