contribute something else—such as a skill, time, knowledge, relationships, or an idea that solves a real problem.
Businesses you can start with little or no money
Service business – Offer a skill you already have, such as graphic design, writing, cleaning, tutoring, phone repairs, photography, or social-media management.
Commission/agency business – Find customers for someone who already has the product/service and earn a commission. You don’t need to own the stock.
Pre-order business – Get customers to pay a deposit or full payment before you purchase the goods.
Online reselling – Advertise products from suppliers and purchase them only after receiving an order.
Digital services – CV writing, Canva designs, data entry, social-media management, website creation, etc.
Skill-based freelancing – Sell your knowledge rather than physical products.
Partnership – You contribute the idea, skills, or management while another person contributes capital, with an agreed profit-sharing arrangement.
The important principle
Don’t start by asking, “What business can I start with money?” Ask, “What problem can I solve that people will pay me for?”
For example, if you have ₦0, you could approach a local business that needs social-media advertising, offer to create and manage its Facebook/Instagram content, and negotiate your first payment after delivering results. You can then use that first income to build the business.

Yes. This can be resolved, and you should not simply continue using the new CSCS account without first asking Zedcrest to correct the duplicate.
The important distinction is:
CHN (Clearing House Number) identifies you as an investor in the Nigerian capital market.
A CSCS account number is associated with your account with a particular stockbroker.
If you already had a CHN/account from InvestNaija and Zedcrest was supposed to link that existing record, but instead created another CSCS account, CSCS has a formal process for merging accounts / CHN consolidation. CSCS currently lists this service at ₦3,000 + 7.5% VAT. �
CSCS +1
What I recommend you do
1. Do not close your old InvestNaija account yet.
First establish which account contains your existing shares and which one Zedcrest created.
2. Contact Zedcrest Wealth and specifically request “CSCS account merger/CHN consolidation.”
Tell them:
I already had an existing CHN and CSCS account through InvestNaija. During my onboarding with Zedcrest Wealth, I provided my existing CHN for linking, but a new CSCS account number was created for me instead. I believe this has resulted in a duplicate CSCS account. I want the new account consolidated/merged with my existing CSCS account and my original CHN retained.
CSCS itself says investors can request a global search through their active stockbroker, which can reveal holdings across brokers and registrars. �
CSCS
3. Ask Zedcrest to do a CSCS Global Search for you.
This is particularly important in your situation because you previously held the InvestNaija account. The global search can establish:
your original CHN;
your old CSCS account;
the new Zedcrest CSCS account;
where your shares are currently sitting;
whether there are actually two separate CSCS records.
CSCS also provides a USSD service that can retrieve your CHN and check stock positions. �
CSCS
4. If Zedcrest says the duplicate cannot be corrected from their end, ask them to initiate the “Merging of Accounts / CHN Consolidation” process with CSCS.
This is an established CSCS account service, so a duplicate does not necessarily mean your shares are lost. �

Yes but I would distinguish between protecting your finances and secretly hiding money.
If your spouse repeatedly spends irresponsibly, borrows money without agreement, or puts family finances at risk, it is reasonable to protect part of your savings and investments. However, completely concealing assets can create a serious trust problem if discovered. The safer goal is financial boundaries, not financial deception.
A safer approach
Have separate personal accounts
Maintain a joint account for agreed household expenses.
Each spouse can also have a personal account for personal savings.
Agree on how much each person contributes to the household.
Build an emergency reserve Keep an emergency fund that is not easily spent impulsively. Ideally, both spouses should know that the fund exists, even if only one person manages access to it.
Separate long-term investments from spending money Money intended for investments should not sit in the everyday spending account. You can use appropriate regulated investment platforms, treasury bills, mutual funds, pension investments, etc., depending on your goals.
Set a spending limit that requires agreement For example:
“Any expense above ₦100,000 should be discussed and agreed upon before we make the payment.”
The amount should be one that makes sense for your household.
Don’t give unrestricted access to everything If your spouse has demonstrated that they cannot control spending, you don’t have to put all your money in an account they can freely withdraw from. That’s a legitimate financial boundary.
Be transparent about the overall financial picture You can say:
“I want us to build wealth together, but I also need us to protect our future. I don’t want all our money available for immediate spending.”
You don’t necessarily have to disclose every password, PIN or security detail.
Consider a trusted financial structure For significant assets, professional advice from a qualified financial adviser or lawyer can help you structure ownership, beneficiaries and investments properly—particularly where there are substantial assets.