This study was prompted by the fact that nanofluid exhibits a completely different behavior from the base fluid, usually water. It was expected that there should be a reduction in the pumping power when pumping nanofluids as compared to pure liquids, without nanofluids. Pump action and their performance are defined in terms of their characteristic curves. These curves usually supplied by pump manufacturers are for water only. This research reveals performance curves for nanofluid and compares it with those obtained for water. By pumping separate concentrations of copper nanofluids which contains 5g, 10g, 15g and 20g of copper nanoparticles, through a constructed nanofluid pump testing machine, the various flow parameters obtained were used to characterize a one horse power centrifugal pump. The flow parameters included; time to pump 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 liters of copper nanofluids, flow rate, head gained, Pump vibration due to pumping activities, pump speed, fluid power, brake power and the pump efficiencies. These parameters were used to plot performance characteristics curves for the different copper nanofluid concentrations which were then compared with those obtained for ordinary water. The results show a reduction in the pumping power as compared to pure liquids, without nanofluids. The performance characteristic curve obtained for water when compared to those obtained for copper nanofluids, revealed that there was an increased in pump efficiency at lower concentration of the copper nanofluid. Lastly, the relevance of the distinct properties of nanofluids to exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity and convective heat transfer coefficient compared to the base fluid was established.