How to Sell Gift Cards in Nigeria: 7 Steps From a Trader Since 2016

By Boyo Michael | Founder of ValueHubSpot
Updated: November 12, 2026

If you’re wondering how to sell gift cards in Nigeria, the process is quite simple: find a buyer, confirm the rate, send your gift card for verification and receive payment in naira once the card has been successfully processed.

But there’s more to selling gift cards than sending someone a code or photo on WhatsApp.

How do you know the buyer is genuine? What happens if the card doesn’t load? Why does a $100 gift card sometimes sell for less than you expected? And how long should you wait before receiving payment?

I’ve been buying and trading gift cards since 2016. Over the years, I’ve dealt with new sellers, regular suppliers, changing rates, invalid cards and transactions that didn’t go as planned.

In this guide, I’ll explain how to sell gift cards online, using the same process I follow when buying cards from customers. I’ll also share some lessons I’ve learned that can help you avoid unnecessary problems.

How to Sell Gift Cards in Nigeria in 7 Steps

If you’re selling a gift card for the first time, here’s the process I recommend.

Step 1: Identify the gift card you have

Before contacting a buyer, check the brand, country and denomination of your card.

For example, you might have:

• A $100 US Apple gift card.
• A $50 US Steam gift card.
• A $100 US Razer Gold gift card.

Also, check whether you have a physical card or an electronic code.

These details matter because different gift cards can attract different buying rates.

For Apple cards, the design can also make a difference. In my trading experience, horizontal physical Apple cards generally attract better rates than vertical cards or electronic codes.

If you’re unsure which card you have, describe it to the buyer before revealing the code.

Step 2: Find a gift card buyer you can verify

The next step is finding someone willing to buy your card.

Many Nigerians sell gift cards online through direct conversations with buyers. In my own business, customers contact me on WhatsApp.

However, don’t assume someone is trustworthy simply because they advertise an attractive rate.

When I started trading in 2016, I sold cards through an online trading platform. One lesson I learned early was that even vendors with high ratings weren’t automatically reliable.

That experience changed how I think about trust.

If you’re dealing with a buyer for the first time, ask questions. Where possible, request a video call or arrange to meet in a safe public location.

A referral from someone you trust can help, but it’s still sensible to start with a small transaction.

Step 3: Ask for the current gift card rate

This is where many new sellers get confused.

Suppose you message me on WhatsApp:

“How much for $100 Apple?”

Once I see the message, I check the current rate available from my trading partner and calculate how much I can offer in naira.

I then send you the quote.

You can decide whether you’re happy with it before sharing the card.

This is important because gift card rates can change several times in a day.

A rate you received 30 minutes ago might no longer be available.

Always confirm the rate and the total amount you’ll receive in naira before proceeding.

Step 4: Confirm the payment and verification process

Before sending your card, ask how the buyer verifies gift cards and when payment will be made.

In my process, I forward the card to a trading partner who checks or loads it. Once the partner confirms successful processing, I arrange payment to the customer.

Different cards have different verification requirements.

For example, Apple gift cards may allow a balance check before redemption, depending on the card and region.

Steam and Razer Gold cards are often verified through an attempt to redeem or load them.

That distinction matters.

Once a gift card code has been redeemed, it may no longer be usable by anyone else. This makes trust particularly important.

You should understand what the buyer intends to do with your card before giving them the code.

Step 5: Send the gift card securely

Once you’ve agreed to proceed, send the card through the private channel you’ve chosen with the buyer.

For physical Apple cards, I usually request a clear photograph showing all four corners.

A blurry image can create unnecessary delays.

I also treat a photograph of a physical Apple card differently from a typed-out code when determining the applicable rate.

Don’t post your gift card code publicly or send it to several buyers at once.

If you send the same code to multiple people, it can become difficult to establish who redeemed it if something goes wrong.

My advice is to deal with one buyer at a time.

Step 6: Wait for verification

After receiving the card, the buyer checks whether it can be successfully processed.

In my experience, straightforward Apple, Steam and Razer Gold transactions often take less than six minutes to process.

However, that isn’t a guaranteed turnaround time.

Some Apple trading partners have longer verification and settlement procedures. I’ve encountered situations where loading takes around 15 minutes and payment follows later.

Other gift card brands can take significantly longer.

For example, when I previously handled Sephora and Nike cards, processing could take around two hours.

That’s why it’s important to ask about the expected timeframe before sending your card.

If verification takes longer than expected, the buyer should explain what’s happening rather than leave you guessing.

Step 7: Receive payment in naira

Once the card has been successfully verified, the final step is payment.

I pay Nigerian customers through bank transfer.

One thing I always do is request the customer’s bank details for each transaction, even if we’ve traded before.

Why?

Because a regular customer might want payment sent to a different account this time.

After making the transfer, I send proof of payment.

Occasionally, bank processing delays can affect when the money appears in the recipient’s account.

As a seller, confirm that the money has actually arrived. A transfer screenshot alone isn’t the same as confirmed payment.

That’s the complete process.

How Much Can You Get When You Sell a Gift Card?

One of the questions I receive most often is:

“How much will you pay me for my $100 gift card?”

The answer depends on the card and the current buying rate.

Something I’ve noticed over the years is that new sellers sometimes misunderstand the way rates are quoted.

For example, I might say:

“The rate is ₦1,160 per dollar.”

Some customers immediately ask:

“So how much naira will you pay me?”

It’s a fair question, especially if you’re selling a gift card for the first time.

Here’s how the calculation works.

Gift card value	Example rate	Total naira payout
$50	₦1,160/$	₦58,000
$100	₦1,160/$	₦116,000
$200	₦1,160/$	₦232,000

These are illustrative calculations, not current buying offers.

The formula is:

Gift card dollar value × agreed naira rate = total payout

So if you have a $100 card and the agreed rate is ₦1,160 per dollar, the expected payment is ₦116,000.

Gift card trading is a resale market. A $100 gift card isn’t the same as having $100 cash available for exchange at a bank or bureau de change.

Its resale value depends on the card, demand and the offer available from buyers.

If you want to understand why some cards attract better rates than others, read my guide on which gift card has the highest rate in Nigeria.

What Happens If the Gift Card Rate Changes After You Get a Quote?

This is one of the situations that can cause disagreements between buyers and sellers.

Imagine asking for a rate, getting a quote and returning later with the card.

If the market has moved, the buyer may no longer be able to offer the same amount.

In my own transactions, I try to avoid unnecessary changes once a customer has agreed to proceed.

If a rate movement only reduces my profit, I may choose to continue with the original quote.

But if the change means I would lose money on the transaction, I pause and explain the new rate before loading the card.

The customer can then decide whether to proceed.

I believe that’s better than processing the card and surprising the seller with a lower payment afterwards.

The practical lesson is to confirm the rate immediately before sending your card, and make sure both parties agree on what happens if the rate changes before verification.

How Long Does It Take to Sell Gift Cards Online?

There isn’t one processing time for every gift card.

Based on my experience:

Gift card	Typical experience
Apple/iTunes	Many routine transactions take under six minutes, but some require longer
Steam	Many routine transactions take under six minutes
Razer Gold	Many routine transactions take under six minutes
Sephora and Nike	Previously took around two hours in my trading experience

These are observations, not payment guarantees.

ValueHubSpot’s current direct buying service focuses on Apple, Steam and Razer Gold.

If you’re selling another type of card, ask the buyer whether they accept it and how long verification normally takes.

What If Your Gift Card Is Invalid or Already Used?

Not every card sent for verification works successfully.

Sometimes a gift card has already been redeemed.

Sometimes the balance is lower than the seller expected.

And sometimes the card wasn’t activated properly at the shop where it was purchased.

These situations can create disagreements, especially when the seller believes the card was valid.

If the card has already been used

When a trading partner tells me a card has already been used, I communicate that to the seller as quickly as possible.

Delaying the response can make the situation worse.

The seller may start wondering whether the buyer used the card.

Prompt communication doesn’t automatically resolve every dispute, but it helps both parties understand what has happened.

If the balance is lower than expected

Sometimes a card contains less value than the customer originally stated.

I may still be able to buy the remaining balance, but the rate can be significantly lower.

The important thing is to explain the situation and obtain the seller’s agreement before proceeding with a revised offer.

If the card wasn’t activated correctly

Some cards fail because they weren’t properly activated at the point of sale.

If that happens, the seller may need to contact the retailer with the purchase receipt.

A buyer shouldn’t automatically assume that every failed card is fraudulent.

There can be genuine problems with activation or verification.

How to Trade Gift Cards Online Without Getting Scammed

When people ask me how to trade gift cards safely, I usually start with one piece of advice:

Don’t send a large amount of gift card value to someone you’ve never traded with before.

I’ve been trading since 2016, and I’ve learned that trust should be built through actual transactions, not promises.

Here are the precautions I recommend.

Start with a small denomination

If you’re dealing with a new buyer, begin with a smaller card.

For example, if you have ten $100 cards, don’t send all ten codes immediately.

Sell one, confirm payment and then decide whether to continue.

This reduces the amount you could lose if something goes wrong.

Be careful with unusually high rates

Some sellers focus entirely on finding the buyer offering the highest rate.

I understand that. Everyone wants to receive more naira for their card.

But I’ve seen people pursue unrealistic offers and end up being scammed.

A buyer promising an excellent rate is only useful if they actually pay.

Try to verify who you’re dealing with

There’s no single method that guarantees a gift card buyer is trustworthy.

Testimonials and screenshots can be misleading.

Where practical, consider asking for a video call, checking independent information about the buyer or dealing through a referral you trust.

Don’t share sensitive personal information unnecessarily, and don’t let someone pressure you into sending several codes before you’re comfortable.

Expect clear communication

One thing I’ve learned from handling gift card disputes is that silence creates suspicion.

If a card fails verification, the buyer should explain promptly.

If processing is delayed, the buyer should say why.

And if a rate needs to change before processing, the seller should have the opportunity to accept or reject the revised offer.

That’s the kind of communication I try to maintain with my own suppliers.

If you’re searching for how to trade gift card online in Nigeria, the safest starting point is understanding how the buyer verifies your card and when you’ll receive payment.

How Can I Sell My Gift Card Online Through ValueHubSpot?

If you have an eligible Apple, Steam or Razer Gold gift card, you can contact me directly through WhatsApp to request a buying quote.

ValueHubSpot is my website, and gift cards are one of the topics I cover. I don’t operate a gift card trading app.

I buy cards directly through WhatsApp.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Send an enquiry. Tell me your gift card brand and denomination. I’ll ask for any other details needed to quote accurately.
2. Receive a quote. I’ll check the available buying rate and tell you the amount in naira.
3. Decide whether to proceed. You don’t need to send the card before receiving the initial quote.
4. Submit the card for verification. If you agree, I’ll explain what to send.
5. Receive payment. Once the card has been successfully processed and the transaction is agreed, I’ll request your preferred bank account details and arrange payment.

I generally respond promptly when I’m available, although response and processing times can vary.

For more information, visit my Sell Gift Cards in Nigeria service page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Gift Cards

Final Thoughts

Learning how to sell gift cards isn’t difficult. The important part is understanding what you’re selling, agreeing on the rate and choosing someone you can trust to handle the transaction properly.

After trading gift cards since 2016, my biggest advice to a first-time seller is to start small.

Don’t send several cards to a stranger simply because the advertised rate looks attractive.

Ask questions, confirm the total naira payout and understand how the buyer will verify your card.

If you have an Apple, Steam or Razer Gold gift card and would like a current quote, you can contact me through ValueHubSpot.

You can also read more about how my gift card buying service works.

---

About the Author

Boyo Michael is the founder of ValueHubSpot and has been buying and trading gift cards since 2016. His experience includes working with gift card sellers, trading partners and verification processes for brands such as Apple, Steam and Razer Gold.

He writes about gift card trading using firsthand observations, practical examples and lessons learned from years of transactions.

Gift card buying rates and processing times vary. Check the terms and conditions applicable to your card before attempting resale.