How to Pay for Facebook Ads in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Guide

Sometime last year, I tried to run an ad on Facebook for a training I was hosting. After seeing the estimated cost, I was excited that I could reach more people without spending too much.

I quickly grabbed my bank card to make the payment and waited for the OTP to arrive. But nothing came. I refreshed, waited again… still nothing.

At first, I assumed it was just a Facebook glitch. But after doing a little digging, I realised the problem was actually with my bank. Thankfully, I was able to complete the payment using a virtual dollar card.

If you’ve ever struggled with paying for Facebook ads in Nigeria, you’re not alone. And that’s exactly why I created this guide. I’ll walk you through the available payment options and show you how to set them up on your account, so you don’t run into the same stress I did.

4 Payment Options for Facebook Ads in Nigeria 2025

To pay for Facebook ads in Nigeria, you can use any of these four methods: a Naira debit card, a virtual dollar card, USSD, or bank transfer.

1. Naira Debit Cards:

Naira debit cards are one of the ways to pay for Facebook ads in Nigeria. This was the first method I tried, but it didn’t work for me; though that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.

Facebook accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Verve cards. In most cases, Visa and Mastercard work better, especially if your bank has international payments enabled.

While Verve is listed as a supported option, it’s not always reliable. Some transactions get declined without any clear reason.

How to Pay for Facebook Ads with a Naira Card

You can pay using your Naira debit card by logging in to your account on Facebook Ad Manager, selecting “Pay in Naira card”, filling in your card details, and confirming your payment.

1. Log in to your Facebook Ad Manager.

2. Head to “Billing & Payment.”

3. Click “Add Funds.”

4. Enter the amount you want to fund.

5. Select “Pay in Naira with Verve/Visa/Mastercard.”

6. You will be redirected to payment.ebanx.com.

7. Enter your card details and click on “Pay with debit card.”

8. An OTP will be sent to your email or phone number. Enter it to confirm.

9. Once approved, your Facebook ads account will be credited.

Like I said earlier, not all Naira cards work for Facebook ads. If you keep getting a “payment fail” response, try enabling international payments in your banking app or test another card.

2. Virtual Dollar Card:

From my own experience, the easiest way to pay for Facebook ads in Nigeria is with a virtual dollar card. After my Naira card kept failing, I decided to give it a try, and honestly, it’s been the smoothest method I’ve used so far.

Getting one is also very simple. I got mine from Cardtonic in just a few minutes, and the process was straightforward. You can fund your Cardtonic dollar virtual card directly with Naira, or even sell unused gift cards on the platform to top up your balance.

If you’ve never used a dollar virtual card before and would like to get one, you can check out this simple guide on how to get a Virtual dollar card on Cardtonic.

How to Pay for Facebook Ads with a Virtual Dollar Card

To pay using your virtual dollar card, you will need to switch your Facebook ads currency to dollars, as you will be paying in dollars. To do this, log in to your account on Facebook Ad Manager, head to billing and payment settings, locate the option to edit your payment currency, and select USD to create a new ad account.

1. Go to your Facebook Ad Manager.

2. Head to Billing & Payment.

3. Click on “Business info”.

4. Under Currency, select “US Dollars (USD).”

5. Facebook will prompt you to close your current ad account and create a new one in USD. Click “Continue” to confirm.

6. After changing your currency, click on “Add funds”.

7. Enter the amount you want to fund.

8. Choose “Debit or credit card” as your payment method.

9. Add the details of the Virtual Dollar Card you got from Cardtonic.

10. After confirmation, the amount will be debited from your card, and your Facebook ad account will be credited instantly.

Expert tip: Always ensure your virtual dollar card has enough balance before running ads. If Facebook tries to charge more than what’s available, the payment will decline, and you may get hit with a declined transaction fee, plus your ad could pause unexpectedly.

3. USSD Method:

If entering card details for online payments is not your thing, the USSD method is a great alternative. With this option, you can pay for Facebook ads directly from your bank account by dialling a short code on your phone, without needing a debit card or internet banking.

It works on any phone, even without internet access, and ad payments usually reflect within minutes. That’s why it’s a lifesaver if you don’t have a card or your card expires.

Still, it has its limits. Daily and per-transaction caps might restrict how much you can spend. If your network signal is weak, the code can fail or time out. Plus, the generated USSD code often expires after a few minutes, so you need to complete the transaction quickly.

How to Pay for Facebook Ads with USSD

All you need to do is go to your Facebook Ad Manager, select “Add Fund”, put your desired amount, get your USSD code, dial the code on your phone, follow the prompt and approve payment. Your Facebook ad account will be created once payment is confirmed.

1. Go to your Facebook Ad Manager.

2. Head to Billing & Payment.

3. Click “Add funds”.

4. Enter the amount you want to fund.

5. Select “Pay by USSD”.

7. You will be directed to payment.ebanx.com.

8. Fill in your details (phone number) and select your bank.

9. You will get a USSD code (something like *123*456789#).

10. Dial that code on your phone, follow the prompts, and approve the payment.

11. Your Facebook ad account will be credited once the transaction is confirmed (usually instantly or within a few minutes).

4. Bank Transfer:

Another way to pay for Facebook ads in Nigeria is through bank transfer. With this option, Facebook generates a temporary account number, and you simply transfer funds directly from your bank app. It’s secure since you’re not entering card details online, and many people prefer it for peace of mind.

From my experience, the process is usually fast. Most transfers reflect within minutes, though sometimes it can take a few hours depending on your bank.

The downside is that you’ll need to repeat the transfer each time you want to fund your ads, unlike cards that allow automatic deductions. Also, watch out for small charges (₦20–₦50) and possible delays if your bank network is weak.

How to Pay for Facebook Ads with Bank Transfer

To use this method, follow the same process as you did with other methods. Then you select pay by bank transfer, get the generated account details, go to your bank app and send. Your Facebook ad account will be created once payment is confirmed.

1. Log in to your Facebook Ad Manager.

2. Go to “Billing & Payment.”

3. Click “Add Funds.”

4. Enter the amount you want to add.

5. Select “Pay by bank transfer”. Facebook will generate a unique account number for you. (Note: This account will be active for a few hours, so you need to make your transfer within these hours.)

6. Open your banking app and transfer the exact amount to the generated account number.

7. Once the transfer is successful, your Facebook ad account will be credited within minutes.

Expert Tip: Always confirm the account details carefully before sending money. A wrong transfer may not be reversible, and if you miss the validity window, you’ll need to generate a new account number.

4 Tips to Avoid Facebook Ads Payment Errors

Nothing kills your ad growth faster than a “Payment Failed” message. To avoid payment errors, always fund your card before running your ad, stick to a card, don’t set a budget beyond your card balance and use a reliable payment method.

1. Fund Your Card First:

See your payment method as fuel for your ad campaign; if the tank is empty, you’re going nowhere. Before you even launch your ad, make sure your card has enough money to cover what you intend to spend.

That way, Facebook can charge you without interruptions, and your ad will keep running without getting paused in the middle of your campaign.

2. Stick to One Card:

Switching cards too often is like changing phone numbers every month; Facebook will start getting suspicious. Pick a card that works and stick with it.

This not only keeps Facebook from getting suspicious, but it also helps you track exactly how much you’ve spent on ads over time.

3. Set a Budget Within Your Card Balance:

If your daily ad budget is ₦20,000 but your card only has ₦10,000, you will get a decline response. Always make sure your card balance comfortably covers what you plan to spend.

And if you’re short of funds, just top up your card before launching the campaign. That’s easier than dealing with payment declines.

4. Use a Reliable Payment Method:

When it comes to Facebook ads, your payment method can make or break your campaign. If it’s unreliable, you risk getting those annoying “Payment Failed” emails when your ad is gaining momentum.

For many Nigerians, a virtual dollar card is the safest; it bypasses local bank restrictions, works with Facebook’s billing, and allows you to control your ad spend easily.

Frequently Asked Questions on Paying for Facebook Ads in Nigeria

1. Does Facebook Accept Naira Cards?

Yes, but not all Naira cards work for Facebook ads. Some banks block international payments entirely, so you might have to test multiple cards before finding one that works.

2. What’s the Best Method to Pay for Facebook Ads from Nigeria?

If you don’t like stress, a virtual dollar card is the most convenient and reliable method. It bypasses local bank restrictions, works with Facebook’s billing, and allows you to easily control your ad spend.

3. What Factors Should I Consider When Selecting a Virtual Dollar Card?

When choosing a virtual dollar card, you should go for a card with competitive exchange rates and with no hidden fees. Also, check funding options, such as bank transfer, USSD, or even gift card top-up and pick the one that suits your needs.

4. How Much Do I Need to Start Running a Facebook Ad?

You can start with as little as ₦1,000 to ₦5,000. But for real results, especially if you’re targeting competitive audiences and want to reach more audience, it’s smart to budget ₦10,000 – ₦50,000

5. How Much Does Facebook Advertising Cost in Nigeria?

There is no fixed cost for Facebook ads. The cost of Facebook advertising is determined by: your daily budget, target audience, Ad quality and competition in your niche. You’re in full control of your ad cost. You can pause or change your spending anytime.

6. How Do I Add a Payment Method to My Facebook Ads Account?

To add a payment method to your Facebook ads account, download Facebook Ad Manager, log in to your Facebook account, click on billing or payment settings, select add payment method, choose credit or debit card, add card details and save.

Conclusion

And that’s everything you need to know about paying for Facebook ads in Nigeria.  Whether you’re using a Naira card, USSD, bank transfer, or a virtual dollar card, the important thing is choosing a method that won’t interrupt your campaigns.

From my experience and from what many advertisers now recommend, virtual dollar cards remain the most reliable choice. They process payments instantly, bypass local restrictions, and give you more control over your ad spend.

At the end of the day, your ads should focus on reaching people, not stressing over failed transactions. Pick the right method and run your campaigns with confidence.