Living abroad comes with its own set of challenges, especially when you’re trying to stay connected to home.
Whether it’s sending money to loved ones, keeping up with local news, or simply enjoying the taste of home through food delivery, mobile apps can make all the difference.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, the right apps are more than just tools; they’re lifelines that bridge the gap between continents.
10 Mobile Apps Every Nigerian in the Diaspora Should Know
1. Sendwave
For many Nigerians living abroad, sending money back home quickly and safely is a top priority. Sendwave has become one of the most trusted apps for this purpose.
Built specifically for diaspora communities, Sendwave allows users to transfer money to Nigeria (and other African countries) in minutes, with no hidden charges and highly competitive exchange rates.
One of the biggest advantages of Sendwave is its simplicity. The app is user-friendly, even for people who are not tech-savvy. You just need to connect your debit card, enter the recipient’s details, and the money is on its way, usually delivered instantly to a Nigerian bank account.
Key features:
-
No transfer fees for most countries
-
Instant delivery to major Nigerian banks
-
Secure transactions backed by industry-grade encryption
-
Available in the US, UK, EU, and Canada
Whether you’re supporting family, paying school fees, or funding a local project, Sendwave is a fast and reliable solution trusted by thousands of Nigerians in the diaspora.
2. Wise (formerly TransferWise)
If you’re looking for a transparent and cost-effective way to send larger amounts of money to Nigeria, Wise is a top choice. Known for its honesty in pricing, Wise shows you the real exchange rate and exact fees before you make a transfer, so there are no surprises.
Wise is ideal for Nigerians in the diaspora who need to move money between multiple countries or currencies, whether for business, savings, or supporting family. It also offers a multi-currency account, allowing you to hold, send, and receive money in over 50 currencies.
With bank-level security and a simple interface, Wise gives you control over your international transfers while helping you save on fees that traditional banks often charge.
Key features:
-
Real exchange rate with no markup
-
Low, transparent fees
-
Multi-currency wallet and virtual card
-
Fast transfers to Nigerian bank accounts
-
Available in the US, UK, EU, Canada, and more
3. Channels TV
Staying informed about what’s happening back home is essential for many Nigerians living abroad. Channels TV is one of Nigeria’s most respected and widely trusted news platforms, and their mobile app makes it easy to stay updated in real time.
The app gives you access to live news broadcasts, breaking news alerts, and a wide range of programs covering politics, business, health, education, and more. Whether you want to follow developments in your home state or keep tabs on national issues, Channels TV delivers reliable news directly to your phone.
Key features:
-
Live streaming of Channels Television
-
Access to top stories across Nigeria
-
Breaking news notifications
-
Coverage of national and regional topics
4. Opera News
Staying informed about what’s happening in Nigeria while living abroad can be a challenge, especially with so many sources sharing conflicting updates.
Opera News makes it easier by curating the latest Nigerian news, entertainment, and trending stories all in one app. It provides a personalized newsfeed based on your interests, so you can stay connected to topics that matter most to you.
Whether you’re interested in politics, celebrity gossip, business updates, or sports, Opera News filters content to suit your preferences. You can also set up push notifications for breaking news, so you’re always in the loop no matter where you are in the world.
Key features:
-
Tailored newsfeed based on your reading habits
-
Real-time updates from trusted Nigerian media outlets
-
Lightweight app that works well even with limited data
-
Includes videos, trending topics, and opinion pieces
5. WhatsApp
When it comes to staying connected with family and friends back in Nigeria, WhatsApp is a must-have app for every Nigerian in the diaspora. It’s more than just a messaging tool. It’s how people check in on loved ones, share updates, hold prayer calls, send voice notes, and even celebrate birthdays across continents.
WhatsApp is widely used in Nigeria, so it’s often the easiest way to reach people without needing to ask what platform they use. You can make voice calls, video calls, and send photos, documents, and even money in some countries. For many, it’s the digital bridge between life abroad and home.
Key features:
-
Free voice and video calls over Wi-Fi or data
-
Group chats for family, church, or old schoolmates
-
Voice notes that feel personal and heartfelt
-
Works on almost every type of smartphone
6. Talk360
Staying connected with loved ones in Nigeria is important, but international calls can get expensive or unreliable when internet quality is poor. Talk360 solves this problem by allowing you to make affordable international calls to any Nigerian mobile or landline number, even if the person you’re calling does not have the app or internet access.
Unlike most VoIP services, Talk360 works even when internet coverage is weak. This makes it especially useful when calling rural areas or older relatives who may not use apps like WhatsApp. You simply dial the number through the app, and it connects you just like a regular phone call.
Key features:
-
Affordable international call rates to Nigeria
-
No need for the receiver to have the app or internet
-
Works on Wi-Fi and mobile data
-
Clear call quality even with low-bandwidth connections
7. Jumia Food (for trips back home or when ordering for loved ones)
If you ever miss the taste of home or want to treat your loved ones in Nigeria from abroad, Jumia Food is the go-to app. It allows users to order food from a wide variety of local restaurants in major Nigerian cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Whether it’s suya, jollof rice, amala, or shawarma, Jumia Food makes it easy to satisfy cravings or surprise someone with a meal.
What makes Jumia Food especially useful for Nigerians in the diaspora is the ability to pay for meals from anywhere in the world. This is perfect for sending lunch to a parent, rewarding a friend, or even supporting someone going through a tough time.
Key features:
-
Delivers local and international meals across multiple Nigerian cities
-
Multiple payment options, including cards usable from abroad
-
Real-time tracking of food delivery
-
Reliable customer service and regular promotions
8. YouTube
For Nigerians in the diaspora, YouTube is more than just a video platform. It is a digital connection to home, culture, and community. Whether you are watching Nigerian cooking tutorials, comedy skits, Nollywood trailers, or live-streamed church services, YouTube helps you stay emotionally and culturally connected.
You can follow your favorite Nigerian creators, learn how to cook local meals like jollof rice and egusi soup, or keep up with current events and trending topics in the country. It is also a great platform for watching interviews, documentaries, and street content that reflect the real voices and faces of Nigeria.
The best part is the variety. From lifestyle and entertainment to politics and education, YouTube has content that fits every interest. For many diasporans, it feels like bringing a piece of Nigeria into their everyday lives abroad.
Key features:
-
Access to thousands of Nigerian content creators
-
Watch live events, tutorials, and skits anytime
-
Free to use with optional premium features
-
Available on all devices
9. ALAT by Wema
Managing your Nigerian bank account from abroad can be a hassle, especially when traditional banks require you to visit a branch or rely heavily on paperwork.
That’s where ALAT by Wema comes in. It is Nigeria’s first fully digital bank, designed to let you open and operate an account without ever stepping into a physical branch.
ALAT is perfect for Nigerians in the diaspora who want to maintain financial ties back home. Whether you’re saving, paying bills for family, or managing income from rental properties or businesses, ALAT gives you full control from your mobile phone.
The app allows you to open a naira or domiciliary account, schedule transfers, set saving goals, and even request virtual or physical debit cards.
Key features:
-
Open and manage an account remotely
-
Schedule recurring transfers and payments
-
Set savings targets and automate contributions
-
Request virtual and physical debit cards
-
In-app customer support and biometric login
10. Google Maps (for travel in Nigeria or helping family navigate)
Whether you’re visiting Nigeria or helping someone back home navigate a new place, Google Maps is a powerful tool that every Nigerian in the diaspora should have on hand. It’s more than just a map app. It helps with directions, traffic updates, location sharing, and discovering nearby businesses like banks, restaurants, and hospitals.
For those planning a visit to Nigeria, Google Maps can help you plan routes, estimate travel time, and avoid high-traffic areas in busy cities like Lagos or Abuja. You can also download maps for offline use, which is helpful when network coverage is weak or unavailable.
Even if you’re not currently in Nigeria, Google Maps is useful for supporting family and friends remotely. You can help them find directions, check for nearby services, or even guide them over the phone with real-time information.
Key features:
-
Turn-by-turn navigation and real-time traffic updates
-
Offline map downloads for use without internet
-
Location sharing for easier meetups
-
Discover and review local Nigerian businesses
We’d love to hear from you! Which of these apps do you use the most as a Nigerian living abroad? Did we miss any essential ones you rely on daily?
Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s build a helpful list together for our global community.
