Citibank Nigeria, part of the global Citigroup, is a leading corporate and institutional bank in Nigeria, serving multinational companies, large local corporates, financial institutions and the public sector.
This complete guide covers everything you need to know about banking internationally and locally with Citibank Nigeria, including its SWIFT code position, how to receive money from abroad, its USSD code and mobile banking, how to open an account, its contact details, and a full profile of Citibank Nigeria itself.
A SWIFT code, also called a BIC (Bank Identifier Code), is an internationally recognised code that identifies a bank during a cross border transfer. It is managed by SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, the global network banks use to send secure payment instructions to one another.
Citibank Nigeria SWIFT Code
The SWIFT/BIC code for Citibank Nigeria is CITINGLA. This single code is used for the bank right across Nigeria, so whatever branch or city your account belongs to, the same code, CITINGLA, is used to receive international transfers into it.
Most Nigerian banks, including Citibank Nigeria, use a single SWIFT code for the whole bank rather than a different one for each branch. When an eleven character version is requested, the code is written as CITINGLAXXX, where the final XXX refers to the bank’s primary (head) office.
Bank
Citibank Nigeria Limited
SWIFT/BIC code (8 characters)
CITINGLA
SWIFT/BIC code (11 characters)
CITINGLAXXX
Head office city
Lagos
What is a SWIFT/BIC Code?
A SWIFT code, or BIC, is a standard Bank Identifier Code used to identify banks around the world. It tells anyone sending money internationally exactly which bank, in which country and at which location should receive the funds, working much like the international postal address of a bank.
Every SWIFT code is either eight or eleven characters long. An eight character code, such as CITINGLA, refers to a bank’s head office, while an eleven character code adds a three character branch identifier at the end; when this is XXX, it still points to the head office. For Citibank Nigeria, the eight character code is all you need to receive an international transfer.
Citibank Nigeria SWIFT Code Explained
Each part of CITINGLA has a specific meaning, as shown in the table below.
Part
Code
Meaning
Bank code
CITI
Identifies Citibank Nigeria Limited
Country code
NG
Nigeria
Location code
LA
Lagos, where the head office is based
Branch code
XXX
Primary / head office (optional, only in the 11 character form)
How to Receive International Money into Citibank Nigeria
To receive money from abroad into your Citibank Nigeria account, give the sender the details below, and their bank will route the transfer through the SWIFT network.
Account holder’s name (exactly as on your account)
Account number (your ten digit Citibank Nigeria account number)
Bank name: Citibank Nigeria Limited
SWIFT/BIC code: CITINGLA
Bank address: Charles S. Sankey House, 27 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria does not use the IBAN system, so if a sender’s form asks for an IBAN, leave it blank and provide the SWIFT code and account number instead. For foreign currencies such as dollars, pounds or euros, you will usually need a domiciliary account with Citibank Nigeria. International transfers typically arrive within one to five working days, depending on the sending bank and any intermediary banks involved.
How to Send Money Abroad from Citibank Nigeria
Citibank Nigeria customers can also send money abroad, usually from a domiciliary account. To make an international transfer you provide the recipient’s bank details, including their bank’s SWIFT code, their account number or IBAN, their name and their bank’s address. Transfers can be arranged at a branch or, for eligible customers, through the bank’s digital channels.
International transfers from Nigeria are subject to the limits and documentation set by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Citibank Nigeria applies its own exchange rate and charges, so it is worth confirming the current details, limits and fees before sending a large amount.
Citibank Nigeria Sort Codes and Branch Codes
A sort code is different from a SWIFT code. It is a nine digit number that identifies a specific branch for domestic transfers within Nigeria, such as NEFT and RTGS. Citibank Nigeria’s sort codes all begin with 023, the bank’s institution code, followed by digits identifying the branch.
Unlike the single SWIFT code, Citibank Nigeria has many sort codes, one per branch. For everyday transfers through the app or internet banking you will not need to type one, but it may be requested for certain direct payments. You can obtain your branch’s sort code from the branch or from customer care.
About Citibank Nigeria
Overview and History
Citibank Nigeria was established in 1984, originally as Nigeria International Bank Limited, and is the Nigerian subsidiary of Citigroup, one of the largest financial services groups in the world.
The bank focuses on corporate and institutional banking rather than mass retail, using Citigroup’s global network to serve multinational and large local clients.
Leadership
Citibank Nigeria is based in Lagos, Nigeria, with its head office at Charles S. Sankey House, 27 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. It is led by its chief executive and management team. Citibank Nigeria operates as part of Citigroup, the global financial services group.
Services
Citibank Nigeria specialises in corporate and investment banking, treasury, trade and transaction services for large corporations, financial institutions and the public sector, rather than everyday retail banking.
Digital Banking
Citibank Nigeria is a strongly digital focused institution. Customers can bank through Citigroup’s global digital and transaction banking platforms, such as CitiDirect, along with internet banking where available, which together allow transfers, airtime and data purchases, bill payments and account management, in many cases even without an internet connection.
Size and Reach
Citibank Nigeria operates through a small number of offices focused on corporate clients, but as part of Citigroup it connects those clients to a banking network spanning nearly 100 countries around the world.
Citibank Nigeria Branches
Citibank Nigeria has a branch network across Nigeria, with a presence in major commercial centres such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, complemented by ATMs, agent banking and electronic channels. Because all branches share the same SWIFT code, CITINGLA, you can receive an international transfer regardless of which branch holds your account.
Citibank Nigeria Contact and Customer Care
Head office
Charles S. Sankey House, 27 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Customer care
+234 1 279 8400
Email
nigeria.customerservice@citi.com
Website
citigroup.com/nigeria
SWIFT/BIC
CITINGLA
Fees, Exchange Rates and Cheaper Alternatives
Whenever money is sent internationally, the cost is more than the visible fee. Banks and providers also apply an exchange rate when converting currencies, which can include a margin above the mid market rate, and on larger amounts this margin can cost more than the fee itself.
It is always worth comparing the total cost, not just the advertised fee. Specialist services such as Wise often use the mid market rate with a clear separate fee, while a domiciliary account with a commercial bank lets you receive and hold foreign currency directly. Comparing your options before you send or receive can save you money.
Quick Facts About Citibank Nigeria
SWIFT/BIC code: CITINGLA (CITINGLAXXX in full)
Sort code prefix: 023
Full name: Citibank Nigeria Limited
Head office: Charles S. Sankey House, 27 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
Founded: 1984 (as Nigeria International Bank)
Website: citigroup.com/nigeria
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citibank Nigeria’s SWIFT code?
Citibank Nigeria’s SWIFT/BIC code is CITINGLA, written in full as CITINGLAXXX.
Does Citibank Nigeria have different SWIFT codes for different branches?
No. Citibank Nigeria uses a single SWIFT code, CITINGLA, for all of its branches nationwide.
Is Citibank Nigeria’s SWIFT code the same as its sort code?
No. The SWIFT code (CITINGLA) is for international transfers, while sort codes are nine digit numbers that identify individual branches for domestic transfers.
How do I receive money from abroad into my Citibank Nigeria account?
Give the sender your account name and number, the bank name, the SWIFT code CITINGLA, and the bank’s address. Foreign currencies usually require a domiciliary account.
Does Nigeria use IBAN?
No. Nigeria does not use IBAN. Provide the SWIFT code and account number instead.
Summary
In summary, the SWIFT/BIC code for Citibank Nigeria is CITINGLA (CITINGLAXXX in full), used for the whole bank across every branch. To receive money from abroad, provide this code with your account name and number, remembering that Nigeria does not use IBAN and foreign currencies usually need a domiciliary account.
SWIFT/BIC codes change when a bank restructures, merges, or opens new international operations, and some Nigerian institutions route international transfers through a correspondent bank rather than a code of their own. Before you send money, confirm the code directly with the bank, through its official app or customer care line, or by looking the institution up in the official SWIFT/BIC directory at swift.com. Sending to an incorrect or outdated SWIFT code can delay a transfer by days or route it to the wrong institution, and recovering misrouted funds is slow and sometimes costly. The details on this page are compiled from the bank’s own published information and the SWIFT registry.
