Sending money home for December

Holiday dates for December 2026

Banks in Nigeria may be closed on these days, and on weekends. Transfers that need extra checks can wait until the next working day.

• Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026.
• Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December 2026. Don't assume Monday 28 December is a day off. It is one only if the Federal Government announces it.
• New Year's Day: Friday 1 January 2027.
• The Federal Government usually confirms the days off through the Ministry of Interior shortly before the holidays.

When to send

• For Christmas: aim for the money to land by Wednesday 23 December. Thursday 24 December is the last working day before the break.
• For New Year: aim for Wednesday 30 December. Thursday 31 December is the last working day of the year.
• Large transfers may need extra checks, so give them more time.
• Families often need money before the day itself, for travel, food and January school fees.
• December is a busy month for money going home. Nigerians abroad sent $11.12 billion in personal transfers in the first half of 2026 alone.

Before you send: a quick checklist

• Get the account number and bank name in writing from your family member.
• Check that the account is active and can receive the amount. Dormant accounts and accounts with limits cause failed transfers.
• Check the recipient name on the confirm screen matches the person you mean to pay.
• Check the naira rate in the app and the total on the confirm screen.
• Keep your transaction PIN to yourself. Anyone who asks for it is a red flag.
• Save the recipient as a beneficiary so you don't retype their details.

How to compare providers

• Look at the naira your family will receive, not just the fee. A "no fee" offer can hide a weaker exchange rate.
• Check the rate at the moment you send. Rates move through the day.
• Check whether the provider pays straight into Nigerian bank accounts, and how long it says the money takes.
• Use licensed, verified providers. Unknown social media agents are a common source of scams.

Watch for holiday scams

• Be careful with "family emergency" messages from new numbers asking for money urgently. Call the person on a number you already know.
• Palremit will never DM you first on social media or ask for your account details.
• Not sure a message is from Palremit? Ask in the in-app live chat, which runs 24/7.

Ways your family can receive with Palremit

• Into their Nigerian bank account.
• Into their own Palremit wallet, using their Palremit ID. Transfers between Palremit accounts arrive instantly.
• As crypto, such as USDT or USDC, to their wallet.