Banks Finally Unlock Your Naira Card for Dollar Spending—Discover the 7 Shock Winners (and Their Secret Limits) in 2025!
Nigerians can finally ditch the VPN gymnastics and virtual‑card headaches: seven commercial banks have quietly re‑enabled dollar transactions on regular Naira debit cards. After a three‑year freeze that left freelancers, shoppers and small‑biz owners scrambling for work‑arounds, you can once again swipe, click and stream in foreign currency—albeit with fresh caps and caveats. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Why the Sudden U‑Turn?
A steadier exchange rate hovering around ₦1,500–₦1,600 /$ and stronger FX inflows have convinced banks the coast is clear. With liquidity improving and volatility cooling, they’re ready to loosen the handbrake—while still watching every dollar that leaves the vault.
The 7 Early‑Mover Banks & Their Limits
| Rank | Bank | Fresh Dollar Cap on Naira Card | The Real‑World Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providus Bank | $3,000 / month | Highest ceiling—perfect for ad campaigns, bulk software, or stress‑free travel bookings. |
| 2 | GTBank | $1,000 / quarter | Works for Spotify, Amazon, Zoom, and an occasional overseas ATM withdrawal. |
| 3 | UBA | $1,000 / month | Gold Debit MasterCard handles web, POS, and ATM in one swipe. |
| 4 | Stanbic IBTC | $100 / month | Tiny but mighty—good for Google Workspace, iCloud, or a quick Kindle binge. |
| 5 | OPay | Merchant‑specific limits | Pay seamlessly on AliExpress or Temu straight from the OPay app. |
| 6 | First Bank | $500 / month | Enough headroom for a streaming bundle or annual domain renewal. |
| 7 | Wema Bank | $500 / month | Ideal for light international spenders—think Canva Pro or Apple Music. |