Hiring a contractor in Nigeria — whether for construction, IT services, digital marketing, procurement, or small business support — can be a cost-effective and strategic move. But if you’re based in the United States, you may be wondering: how do I pay a Nigerian contractor from the USA safely, legally, and efficiently?

This guide outlines the best payment methods, risk mitigation strategies, and compliance tips to help you manage cross-border payments, while highlighting how Wigmore Trading can assist you with contractor verification, payments, and value delivery.

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Why Work with Contractors in Nigeria?

Nigerian professionals and service providers are increasingly sought after for:

• 👷 Construction, renovation, and real estate work

• 💻 Software development, UI/UX design, web services

• 🎨 Graphic design, digital marketing, and media production

• 🏗️ Small-scale manufacturing or product sourcing

• 🛠️ Local procurement and logistics support

Thanks to a young, skilled workforce, competitive pricing, and a growing digital economy, outsourcing to Nigeria makes sense — but payment logistics remain a key concern.

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5 Secure Ways to Pay a Nigerian Contractor from the USA

1. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

One of the most popular options for international transfers.

• ✅ Transparent fees and real exchange rates

• ✅ Direct NGN or USD transfers to Nigerian bank accounts

• ✅ Great for recurring payments

💡 Use Wise Business if paying through a company.

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2. Payoneer

Widely used by freelancers and service providers in Nigeria.

• ✅ Enables USD-to-USD transfers (contractor receives in domiciliary account)

• ✅ Can link to global platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Toptal

• ✅ Supports invoicing and transaction tracking

📌 Your contractor must have a Payoneer account.

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3. WorldRemit / Sendwave

Fast and mobile-friendly payment apps for one-off or lower-value payments.

• ✅ Good for quick transfers in NGN

• ✅ Often used for family or small business support

• ✅ Easy to set up and use via mobile app

🚫 Not ideal for large contractor payments due to limits.

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4. Bank Wire Transfer (SWIFT)

Best for high-value, business-to-business payments.

• ✅ Direct USD transfer from US bank to Nigerian domiciliary account

• ✅ Reliable for large projects or milestone-based payments

• ✅ Works well with formal contracts and tax documentation

💼 Be aware of bank fees and Nigerian CBN policies on foreign inflows.

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5. Use a Verified Local Partner like Wigmore Trading

If you’re concerned about trust, fraud, or miscommunication, consider using a verified third party to manage and release payments on your behalf.

👔 Wigmore Trading can:

• ✅ Vet and verify Nigerian contractors

• ✅ Manage supplier or service payments securely

• ✅ Source equipment or materials directly (instead of cash transfers)

• ✅ Handle milestone-based releases for project oversight

This is especially helpful for:

• Real estate or construction projects

• SME partnerships

• Large-scale sourcing or procurement

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How to Reduce Risk When Paying Nigerian Contractors

🧾 Always ask for:

• A formal invoice with tax ID (if applicable)

• A signed contract or statement of work

• Bank details verified over a live call or video

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Compliance Tips: Stay on the Right Side of the Law

• US citizens/residents must ensure payments do not violate OFAC sanctions or money laundering rules

• Consider Form 1099 if hiring as a freelancer or contractor under your business

• For larger projects, work with legal and tax advisors to set up contractual protections

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Why Choose Wigmore Trading?

If you’re working with Nigerian contractors and want more control, transparency, or value, Wigmore Trading offers:

• ✅ Verified contractor and supplier vetting

• ✅ End-to-end project or procurement support

• ✅ Payment facilitation with delivery accountability

• ✅ UK- and Nigeria-based business presence

🎯 You can outsource risk while ensuring the contractor delivers — before releasing funds.

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Final Thoughts

Paying a Nigerian contractor from the USA can be smooth and secure — if you use the right tools and establish clear agreements. Whether you’re supporting a one-off project or managing ongoing work, it’s important to combine payment security with delivery accountability.

📞 Contact Wigmore Trading to help manage cross-border contractor support, sourcing, and secure payment facilitation.