Oh, I understand the situation better now sir. That makes more sense. So your original holding was 300 Oando Plc shares, while the additional 370 shares came from cumulative bonus issues, giving you a total of 670 shares, with the holdings represented by different certificates. The fact that the regRead more
Oh, I understand the situation better now sir. That makes more sense.
So your original holding was 300 Oando Plc shares, while the additional 370 shares came from cumulative bonus issues, giving you a total of 670 shares, with the holdings represented by different certificates.
The fact that the registrar’s statement actually showed the certificate numbers is very important. Since you have confirmed that your personal information is consistent, I would not immediately assume that the problem is a name or KYC mismatch.
It may be that the registrar/broker is still reconciling the different certificates, especially the bonus shares, before the entire holding can be dematerialised and credited to your CSCS account.
For example, if the 300 original shares were properly verified, but some of the bonus certificates require separate verification against the registrar’s records, you could end up seeing only part of the holding in CSCS while the balance remains pending.
What I would do in your position is take the registrar’s statement showing the certificate numbers and compare it carefully with the certificates you submitted. Then ask the broker specifically:
“I submitted certificates covering my original 300 shares and the cumulative bonus shares. The registrar has confirmed the certificate numbers and my shareholder details are correct. Only part of the holding has been credited to my CSCS account. Kindly confirm the status of each outstanding certificate and specifically state which certificate(s) are responsible for the uncredited balance.”
That question should make it harder for them to simply respond with “we are working on it.”
Also, since this is Oando Plc, I would involve the registrar directly in the reconciliation if the broker cannot clearly explain the outstanding shares. Ask the registrar to confirm, certificate by certificate, that all the units are valid and eligible for dematerialisation.
And one thing I noticed from your explanation: you mentioned 300 + 370 = 670, not 675. So I would first reconcile that five-share difference as well, just to make sure there isn’t another issue in the records.
If the registrar’s statement says 670 and you submitted documents for 670, then you have a clear figure to work with.
I think the key now is not to keep waiting blindly. Get a certificate-by-certificate status from the broker/registrar. Once you know exactly which certificates have been credited, which are pending and why, you’ll know what action to take next.
From what you explained, I don't think you should assume that the remaining 625 shares are lost, but since you submitted them in February and only 50 out of 675 have been credited, I think you need to follow up more seriously with the stockbroker. Sometimes with dematerialisation, part of the sharesRead more
From what you explained, I don’t think you should assume that the remaining 625 shares are lost, but since you submitted them in February and only 50 out of 675 have been credited, I think you need to follow up more seriously with the stockbroker.
Sometimes with dematerialisation, part of the shares may be successfully verified and credited while the remaining ones are held up because of issues with the physical certificates, shareholder details, registrar records, name mismatch, incomplete documentation or reconciliation.
For example, if you submitted certificates representing 675 shares and only 50 were successfully verified, the remaining 625 may still be pending verification with the registrar or CSCS.
I would advise you to ask the broker for something more specific than “we are working on it.”
Ask them:
1. What is the exact reason the remaining 625 shares have not been credited?
2. Has the full 675 shares been submitted for dematerialisation?
3. What is the reference number for the transaction?
4. Is there any issue with the certificates or your shareholder details?
5. Which registrar is currently handling the outstanding shares?
6. Do you need to provide any additional documents?
Also, check your CSCS statement directly to confirm exactly what has been credited.
If the broker continues to give you vague answers after all these months, I would escalate the complaint to CSCS and, if necessary, the SEC rather than continuing to wait indefinitely.
For something involving 625 shares, I would want a written explanation and a clear status of the outstanding shares.
Hopefully it’s just a verification or reconciliation issue, but after waiting since February, it’s reasonable to ask them for a proper explanation.
If I were in your position, I wouldn't start by trying to find the "best investment" for my child. I would first understand how the Nigerian investment system works and then create a simple, long-term plan. The good news is that you don't need to be rich to start. First, understand the two markets IRead more
If I were in your position, I wouldn’t start by trying to find the “best investment” for my child. I would first understand how the Nigerian investment system works and then create a simple, long-term plan.
The good news is that you don’t need to be rich to start.
First, understand the two markets
In very simple terms:
Money market: generally deals with shorter-term, interest-bearing instruments such as Treasury bills, bank placements and commercial papers. Money-market mutual funds pool investors’ money and invest in these kinds of instruments. They are generally more focused on liquidity and capital preservation than long-term growth.
Capital market: this is where longer-term investments such as shares, bonds and mutual funds are traded. When you buy shares, for example, you are buying an ownership interest in a company. The value can rise or fall, so there is more market risk.
For a child who is only one year old, the investment horizon could be 15, 17 or even 20 years. That gives you a lot of time.
So I wouldn’t necessarily put everything in a savings account or money-market investment for the entire period. I’d consider having a long-term growth portion, while still keeping some money in safer investments.
What would I actually do?
Suppose I decide I can put ₦20,000 every month toward my child’s future.
I could start with something like:
₦10,000 → long-term investment
₦7,000 → safer savings/fixed-income investment
₦3,000 → cash/emergency reserve for the child
The exact percentages aren’t a rule. Your income and responsibilities matter.
As the child gets older and your income increases, you can increase the monthly contribution.
For example:
Year 1: ₦10,000/month
Year 2: ₦15,000/month
Year 3: ₦20,000/month
Year 4: ₦25,000/month
The important thing is consistency, not starting with a huge amount.
The SEC itself encourages investors to invest consistently, even with small amounts, while understanding their goals and risk tolerance.
What about buying stocks directly for the baby?
This is where I would be careful.
You don’t necessarily need to sit down and pick individual Nigerian stocks for a one-year-old.
As a beginner, I might prefer a properly regulated mutual fund because the fund pools money from many investors and is professionally managed. Depending on the fund, you can get exposure to equities, fixed income or money-market instruments.
Interestingly, SEC educational material describes equity funds as having long-term capital-growth and income objectives and identifies them as potentially suitable for children and young adults because of the long investment horizon.
But that doesn’t mean “put everything into an equity fund.”
Equity investments can fall substantially, sometimes for extended periods. The fact that your child is young gives you time to tolerate volatility, but you still need to understand the particular fund and its risks.
How do I actually open the account?
This is the part where I wouldn’t simply download the first investment app I see.
I’d first identify a SEC-registered fund manager, broker or other capital-market operator that offers an appropriate account/product for a minor.
The SEC has a public directory where you can verify whether an investment operator is registered.
Then ask the institution specifically:
“I want to invest for my one-year-old child as a parent/guardian. Do you offer a minor/children’s investment account, what documents are required, who legally controls the account, and when does the child gain control of the investment?”
They will tell you the exact documentation and account structure they currently require.
Don’t assume every investment app works the same way for minors.
Here’s a realistic example
Let’s say your daughter is one year old today.
You decide to invest ₦10,000 every month for her.
That’s:
₦10,000 × 12 = ₦120,000 per year
If you maintain that contribution for 17 years, your total contributions alone would be:
₦2,040,000
That’s before considering investment returns.
Now imagine that as your income improves, you increase the contribution from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000, then eventually ₦30,000.
The amount you contribute becomes much more significant.
The real power isn’t that ₦10,000 is a huge amount.
It’s that you’re giving the money time.
And this is why I would start as early as possible rather than waiting until the child is 15 before thinking about it.
But there’s another important point
I wouldn’t make the child’s investment the only financial priority.
Imagine the parent earns ₦150,000 per month but has no emergency savings, expensive debt and unstable income.
It doesn’t make sense to invest ₦30,000 for the child while the parent is borrowing money to survive.
The parent’s financial stability is also part of the child’s financial security.
So I’d work on both:
Parent’s emergency fund + income growth + retirement/investment
AND
Child’s long-term investment
Even if the child’s contribution is only ₦5,000 initially.
The SEC has specifically warned Nigerians about unregistered online investment schemes and advises investors to verify the registration status of platforms and operators before putting money into them.
If someone tells you:
“Give me ₦100,000 and I’ll guarantee you 30% every month.”
That’s not where I’d put my child’s future.
For a child, I’d rather have a boring, regulated, understandable investment that I can contribute to consistently for 15-20 years.
So if I were starting today, my plan would simply be:
1. Learn the basics.
2. Verify a regulated investment provider.
3. Open the appropriate account for the child.
4. Start with an amount I can comfortably contribute every month.
5. Diversify between appropriate long-term growth and safer investments.
6. Increase contributions as my income increases.
7. Don’t constantly withdraw the money.
8. Review the investment periodically, not every day.
The goal isn’t to make the child rich overnight.
The goal is that when that one-year-old eventually becomes 18, 20 or 21, there is a financial foundation waiting for them.
Maybe it helps pay university expenses. Maybe it helps them start a business. Maybe it becomes part of their first home deposit or simply gives them capital to begin adulthood.
That’s how I’d look at building wealth for a child: small amounts, invested consistently, protected from unnecessary withdrawals, and given a very long time to grow.
And before choosing the actual fund or platform, I’d verify the current fees, minimum investment, withdrawal rules, tax treatment, risk level and the exact legal ownership structure for a minor. Those details can make a big difference.
Yes, I believe saving a percentage of every income is much more realistic for someone whose income changes from month to month. If your income is irregular, telling yourself, "I must save ₦50,000 every month" can become stressful. You may earn ₦200,000 one month and only ₦70,000 the next. The betterRead more
Yes, I believe saving a percentage of every income is much more realistic for someone whose income changes from month to month.
If your income is irregular, telling yourself, “I must save ₦50,000 every month” can become stressful. You may earn ₦200,000 one month and only ₦70,000 the next. The better approach, in my opinion, is to create a system where every amount that comes in has a purpose.
Again, these percentages aren’t fixed rules. Someone with higher living expenses might need 60% or 70% for essentials.
The principle is what matters.
What happens when income is very low?
Let’s say you normally earn ₦100,000 but this month you only make ₦40,000.
Don’t say, “Since I can’t save ₦20,000, I’ll save nothing.”
If possible, save something.
Even ₦2,000 or ₦4,000 keeps the habit alive.
Then when you have a very good month, you save more.
For example:
January: ₦70,000 income → save ₦7,000
February: ₦200,000 income → save ₦30,000
March: ₦50,000 income → save ₦5,000
April: ₦250,000 income → save ₦40,000
The good months help compensate for the weaker months.
I would also create a “salary” for myself.
This is something I think can really help people with irregular income.
Suppose someone makes ₦600,000 in a very good month.
Instead of immediately increasing their spending because they have ₦600,000, they could put part of it aside and give themselves a controlled monthly allowance.
For example:
They receive ₦600,000.
They keep ₦200,000 as business/emergency reserve and use the remaining ₦400,000 to support their expenses over several months.
Then if the following month they make only ₦70,000, they don’t suddenly have to panic.
The good months are helping to fund the bad months.
That’s the advantage of building a financial buffer.
And I wouldn’t invest before building some savings.
If income is irregular and you have no emergency fund, I’d prioritize building that safety net first.
Imagine you earn ₦200,000 this month and decide to invest ₦50,000.
Then next month your income falls to ₦50,000 and your rent, transport or other urgent expenses come up.
You may end up selling your investment or borrowing money.
So I’d first build a small emergency fund, perhaps ₦50,000, then ₦100,000, and eventually work toward several months of essential expenses.
After that, investing becomes much easier because you’re less likely to disturb your long-term investments.
The biggest lesson for irregular earners
I don’t think the goal should be:
“I must save the same amount every month.”
It should be:
“Every time money enters my hands, I must save something before I spend everything.”
Some months it may be ₦5,000.
Some months ₦20,000.
Some months ₦50,000.
And if one month is extremely difficult and you can only save ₦1,000, that’s still better than completely abandoning the habit.
The most important thing is to avoid allowing your lifestyle to rise every time your income rises.
If you earn ₦70,000 one month, live reasonably around that level.
If you suddenly earn ₦300,000 the next month, don’t immediately start behaving as though ₦300,000 is your new normal.
Use the good months to strengthen your financial foundation.
Irregular income requires flexible saving, not irregular discipline.
I understand how you feel. Being in your final year, thinking about what will happen after school, wanting to study outside Nigeria, and at the same time knowing that you may not have someone financially supporting you can be scary. But it doesn't mean your dream is impossible. If I were in your posRead more
I understand how you feel. Being in your final year, thinking about what will happen after school, wanting to study outside Nigeria, and at the same time knowing that you may not have someone financially supporting you can be scary. But it doesn’t mean your dream is impossible.
If I were in your position, I would stop looking at “studying abroad” as something that must happen immediately after graduation. I would treat it as a 3 to 5-year plan and start building toward it now.
For example, you’re a final-year Mechanical Engineering student. Your first target should be to graduate well and make yourself employable.
Before you finish school, I would start developing practical skills around Mechanical Engineering. Depending on your interests, you could learn things like:
• AutoCAD
• SolidWorks
• AutoCAD Plant 3D
• Revit MEP
• HVAC design
• Mechanical maintenance
• Oil and gas-related technical skills
• Project management
• Data analysis or other digital skills
You don’t need to learn everything. Pick one or two areas that have good demand and become genuinely good at them.
Then I’d start looking for internships, entry-level jobs, freelance opportunities or even volunteer experience. Your first job doesn’t have to be your dream job. Sometimes the first job is simply the bridge to the next opportunity.
Let’s say after graduation you get a job paying ₦150,000 per month.
Don’t look at that salary and say, “This is too small, so there’s no point.”
You could start building a plan around it.
For example:
₦90,000 → living expenses
₦20,000 → savings
₦20,000 → professional development
₦10,000 → future study-abroad fund
₦10,000 → emergency/personal needs
The numbers can change depending on your situation. The important thing is that you’re deliberately putting something toward your future.
If you save ₦10,000 every month, that’s ₦120,000 in a year. If your income increases and you eventually save ₦30,000 monthly, that’s ₦360,000 a year.
And you shouldn’t depend only on your salary.
You could use your engineering skills to create additional income. Maybe CAD drafting, 3D modelling, technical drawings, tutoring engineering students, digital services or another skill you develop.
The goal is to eventually have multiple sources of income, even if they start very small.
For studying abroad, start researching early
Don’t wait until you’re ready to travel before you start looking at universities.
Start researching countries and schools now.
Look at:
• Tuition fees
• Scholarships
• Application requirements
• English-language requirements
• Academic requirements
• Visa requirements
• Cost of living
• Part-time work rules
• Post-study work opportunities
• Funding opportunities
And most importantly, look for fully funded and partially funded scholarships.
You don’t necessarily need to have millions sitting in your account before you can study abroad. There are scholarships, assistantships and other funding opportunities, although they are competitive and you need to prepare properly.
Your final-year project, CGPA, CV, recommendation letters, statement of purpose and relevant experience can all become important.
So I’d start building those things now.
For example, if your final-year project is something related to renewable energy, manufacturing, automation, thermofluids or another area you’re interested in, don’t just see it as something you need to submit and forget.
Use it to demonstrate your technical ability.
Document what you did.
Learn how to explain it professionally.
Put relevant projects and skills on your CV and LinkedIn profile.
And don’t compare your timeline with other people.
Someone in your class may graduate and immediately travel to Canada, the UK, Germany or another country.
Another person may get a ₦500,000 salary.
Another person may remain unemployed for six months.
Their timeline isn’t your timeline.
If you don’t currently have anyone to support you financially, that simply means you have to be more strategic.
Your first objective may not be “leave Nigeria immediately.”
It may be:
Graduate
develop a valuable skill
get experience
increase income
save
apply for scholarships/jobs abroad
relocate when the opportunity makes financial sense.
And if the first opportunity doesn’t come, try again.
Don’t spend your little money on agents promising guaranteed visas or guaranteed jobs. Be very careful with people asking for huge payments in exchange for promises they cannot guarantee.
Most importantly, don’t underestimate where you are right now.
You’re already studying Mechanical Engineering and you’re in your final year. That’s a foundation.
You don’t need to have your entire life figured out before graduation.
You just need to know what the next step is.
If I were you, my next three moves would be:
1. Finish school strongly.
2. Pick one highly valuable engineering skill and become very good at it.
3. Start researching scholarships, jobs and countries while simultaneously building income and savings.
Your dream of studying outside Nigeria may take longer than you expect. That’s okay.
The dream doesn’t become impossible simply because the journey isn’t immediate.
Sometimes the first step toward studying abroad isn’t buying a flight ticket.
It’s sitting down today, choosing a skill, improving your CV, researching five universities, applying for one scholarship, and saving your first ₦5,000.
Then you do it again next week.
That’s how a big dream starts becoming a real plan.
This is something I think many young Nigerians can relate to because sometimes family responsibility starts almost immediately after you begin earning. One money lesson I have learned is that helping your family should not mean destroying your own financial foundation. For example, imagine a young pRead more
This is something I think many young Nigerians can relate to because sometimes family responsibility starts almost immediately after you begin earning.
One money lesson I have learned is that helping your family should not mean destroying your own financial foundation.
For example, imagine a young person earns ₦200,000 per month. His parents need help with food, his younger sibling needs school fees, and another relative has an urgent problem. Before he knows it, the entire ₦200,000 is gone.
Then something happens to him the following month. Maybe he loses his job or doesn’t get paid on time. He has nothing saved, so he has to borrow money to survive.
At that point, he has become financially dependent while trying to support other people.
I think the better approach is to create boundaries around your income.
If I earned ₦200,000, for example, I might initially structure it something like:
₦100,000: essential personal expenses
₦30,000: family support
₦30,000: emergency savings
₦20,000: investment or long-term savings
₦20,000: skill development/personal needs
The exact numbers would depend on the person’s circumstances. If the family has a genuine emergency, the allocation may obviously change.
But the principle is important: don’t make family support an unlimited expense.
I’d also separate “needs” from “requests.”
If my mother needs money for food or medication, that’s very different from a relative asking me for money to buy something that isn’t urgent.
And sometimes the best way to support your family is not to keep giving them cash every month. It may be helping a younger sibling learn a skill, paying for something that improves their education, helping a parent start a small business, or contributing toward something that can eventually reduce their dependence on you.
For example, instead of giving a sibling ₦20,000 every month indefinitely, you might help them get the training or equipment they need to start earning ₦30,000 themselves.
That’s a different kind of support.
I also believe you should communicate honestly with your family.
You don’t have to say, “I don’t want to help.”
You can say:
“I want to support the family, but I also need to save and build myself so that I can become more useful to everyone in the future. I may not be able to meet every request, but I’ll contribute what I can consistently.”
That’s not selfish.
If you destroy your own finances trying to rescue everybody today, you may not have the capacity to help anyone tomorrow.
So for me, the balance is:
Take care of your basic needs
build an emergency fund
support your family within a realistic limit invest in your future
increase your income.
As your income grows, you can increase the amount you give.
The goal shouldn’t be to choose between “my family” and “my future.”
The goal should be to build yourself financially strong enough that, eventually, your family doesn’t have to depend on your monthly salary alone.
That, to me, is one of the most sustainable ways of helping the people you love.
I completely understand where you are coming from. And honestly, if you are currently a student without a job or regular income, I would not advise you to put pressure on yourself to start investing immediately. The first investment I would make in your position is actually knowledge and financial dRead more
I completely understand where you are coming from. And honestly, if you are currently a student without a job or regular income, I would not advise you to put pressure on yourself to start investing immediately.
The first investment I would make in your position is actually knowledge and financial discipline.
For example, if you receive ₦20,000 from your parents or someone gives you money for your upkeep, don’t think, “I must invest ₦10,000 because I want to become an investor.”
Instead, first make sure your basic needs are covered. If you can genuinely keep ₦2,000 or ₦5,000 aside without needing it for food, transport, school materials or other important expenses, then you can start with that.
Let’s say you receive ₦20,000:
• ₦12,000 for your essential needs
• ₦5,000 kept as savings/emergency money
• ₦2,000 toward learning or developing a useful skill
• ₦1,000 to begin learning and investing
The ₦1,000 may look very small, but that’s not the point. You’re building the habit.
As a student, I would also focus heavily on developing a skill that can eventually give you an income. Something like graphic design, programming, digital marketing, writing, video editing, a technical skill, tutoring, or any skill that matches your ability and has a market.
Because if you eventually learn how to earn ₦50,000, ₦100,000 or ₦200,000 a month, your ability to invest becomes much stronger.
And regarding your concern about maintaining an investment without interfering with it, that’s where you need a system.
For example, imagine you eventually start earning ₦100,000 monthly. You could decide that every time you receive money, 10% goes toward long-term investment. So ₦10,000 is invested and you mentally consider that money unavailable for everyday spending.
You can also separate your investment money from your normal spending account. That way, when you check your balance and see money available for food or transport, you’re not looking at the money you’ve already committed to your long-term goals.
But please don’t invest money that you know you’ll need next week.
If you have ₦10,000 and you need ₦8,000 for transport and food, don’t invest ₦8,000 just because you want to start early. Keep the money you need.
Starting small is completely fine.
Even ₦1,000, ₦2,000 or ₦5,000 can be the beginning, provided you’re learning what you’re doing and the money isn’t needed for your immediate survival.
I would also advise you not to jump into individual stocks, crypto or any investment simply because someone on social media says it will make you rich. First understand what you’re buying, the risks involved, how you make money from it, how you withdraw your money and whether the platform or institution is properly regulated.
Your situation as a student is actually an advantage in one way: you have time to learn.
Don’t worry about making a lot of money from investing right now. Learn the principles, start with whatever small amount you can genuinely afford, develop a valuable skill, and focus on increasing your income.
When your income eventually grows, the investment habit you’ve built will grow with it.
So if I were in your position, my order would be:
Learn
Save
Develop a skill
Earn
Invest consistently
Leave the investment alone
Repeat.
You don’t need to be rich before you start learning about investing. But you also don’t need to rush into investing before you’re financially ready.
Thank you for the question. To be honest, I think this is one of those questions that requires looking at the bigger picture, because if someone is starting with very little money and irregular income, the goal shouldn't simply be to find an investment that will give the highest return. If I were stRead more
Thank you for the question. To be honest, I think this is one of those questions that requires looking at the bigger picture, because if someone is starting with very little money and irregular income, the goal shouldn’t simply be to find an investment that will give the highest return.
If I were starting from exactly that position, and I had only ₦10,000 available, my first question would be: “What will this ₦10,000 do for my financial situation?”
I wouldn’t automatically put the whole ₦10,000 into stocks or any investment just because I want to start investing.
For example, I might divide it like this:
• ₦5,000 for emergency savings
• ₦3,000 toward learning a skill or something that can increase my income
• ₦2,000 toward a low-risk investment, mainly to start developing the habit of investing.
The exact percentage can change depending on the situation. If I had urgent needs or expensive debt, I would probably deal with those first.
Why would I prioritize emergency savings?
Because with irregular income, liquidity is extremely important.
Imagine I invest the entire ₦10,000 today, but tomorrow I have an unexpected transport expense, food expense, medical bill, or another urgent need. I may be forced to sell my investment or borrow money.
So before trying to maximize returns, I would first try to create a small financial cushion.
My first target might be ₦50,000, then ₦100,000, and eventually enough to cover at least one month of essential expenses. Over time, I’d work toward a larger emergency fund.
What about investing?
I would definitely start investing, but I wouldn’t rush into individual stocks as a complete beginner.
If I wanted somewhere relatively simple to begin, I would consider a regulated money-market or fixed-income mutual fund, depending on the available options, fees, liquidity and current returns.
The reason is that I wouldn’t want my first investment experience to be based on guessing which stock will rise tomorrow.
I’d rather understand what I’m buying, how it makes money, what risks are involved, how quickly I can access the money and what fees I’m paying.
As I become more knowledgeable and my emergency fund improves, I would gradually consider equities and NGX-listed companies for long-term growth.
I also wouldn’t underestimate the importance of increasing income.
This is probably the most important part for someone starting with little money.
If I have ₦20,000 and make a 10% return, I’ve made only ₦2,000.
But if I use ₦20,000 to improve a skill, buy a tool, learn something valuable, market a service or improve a small business and that eventually helps me earn an additional ₦30,000 every month, that can have a much bigger impact.
So I would constantly ask:
“Can this money help me earn more money in the future?”
That doesn’t mean every naira should go into business or education. It means I would balance financial assets with human capital.
My approach would also be different because my income is irregular.
If I earned a fixed salary, I could say:
“Every month I’ll save ₦30,000 and invest ₦20,000.”
But with irregular income, I would use percentages instead.
For example, whenever ₦100,000 comes in, I might allocate it something like:
If only ₦30,000 comes in, I apply the same principle at a smaller scale.
The important thing is that every amount of money coming in should have a purpose before I spend it.
Before investing in anything, I’d ask myself some basic questions:
1. What exactly am I investing in?
2. How does it generate returns?
3. What are the risks?
4. Can I lose part or all of my money?
5. How quickly can I withdraw it?
6. What fees or charges are involved?
7. Who regulates the institution?
8. What has historically happened to this type of investment?
9. Am I investing for the short term or long term?
10. Do I actually understand what I’m buying?
I would also avoid investing because someone says, “This stock will double,” or “This investment is guaranteed to make 30%.”
If I don’t understand the investment, I wouldn’t put my money there.
If I had to choose my first three financial moves
First: Build an emergency fund.
I’d start small. Even ₦5,000 matters. My target would gradually move from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 and eventually several months of essential expenses.
Second: Increase my earning ability.
I’d identify one or two skills or business opportunities that could realistically increase my income. I wouldn’t try to chase every opportunity at once.
Third: Start investing small and learn continuously.
Even if I can only invest ₦2,000 or ₦5,000 initially, I’d start. Not because that amount will make me rich immediately, but because I’m building the habit and learning how financial markets work.
Over time, as my income increases, I can increase the amount I’m investing.
For me, the bigger goal would not be:
“How do I turn ₦10,000 into ₦20,000 quickly?”
It would be:
“How do I build a system that allows me to consistently save, increase my income, invest and acquire productive assets?”
Because ₦10,000 by itself won’t create financial independence.
But learning how to properly manage ₦10,000 can prepare you to properly manage ₦100,000, ₦1 million and eventually much more.
So if I were starting all over again with very little money and irregular income, I wouldn’t focus only on finding the perfect investment.
I’d focus on three things:
Protect what I have.
Increase what I can earn.
Invest what I can afford to leave untouched.
Then I’d repeat that process consistently for years.
That’s probably a slower approach than looking for quick profits, but I think it’s a much more realistic path toward genuine financial independence.
Yes, I believe the approaching 2027 general elections can have both positive and negative effects on the Nigerian stock market, depending on the stage of the election cycle, investor sentiment, government policies and the performance of individual companies. Historically, investors can become more cRead more
Yes, I believe the approaching 2027 general elections can have both positive and negative effects on the Nigerian stock market, depending on the stage of the election cycle, investor sentiment, government policies and the performance of individual companies.
Historically, investors can become more cautious before elections because of uncertainty about government policies, the naira, inflation, interest rates and the direction of the economy. This can lead to some investors reducing their exposure to equities or moving money into safer assets. Recent reports also indicate that political uncertainty is already influencing some foreign portfolio flows.
For example, imagine I own ₦1 million worth of Nigerian bank stocks and I become worried that election uncertainty could cause volatility. I might decide to sell part of my holdings and keep more money in cash or fixed-income investments. If many investors do the same thing, selling pressure can push stock prices lower.
But the opposite can also happen.
If the election process is considered credible and investors become confident about the economic policies of the incoming government, money can return to the market. Companies that benefit from government spending, infrastructure, consumer activity or economic growth could also perform well.
For an investor, I think the most important thing is not to try to predict the election result or trade every political headline.
Instead, I would learn to monitor:
1. Company fundamentals
Look at revenue, profit, debt, cash flow, dividends and earnings growth.
2. Valuation
A good company can still be a bad investment if you buy it at an unreasonable price.
3. Interest rates and inflation
These affect both companies and the attractiveness of alternative investments.
4. The naira and foreign exchange market
Currency movements can significantly affect companies that depend on imports or foreign currency.
5. Election-related policy changes
Pay attention to government budgets, taxes, subsidies, regulations and spending plans.
6. Market diversification
I wouldn’t put all my money into one sector or one company simply because I expect it to benefit from the election.
For example, instead of putting ₦500,000 into one stock because I believe it will benefit from election spending, I could spread the money across several quality companies and keep part of the portfolio in lower-risk assets.
What I would avoid
I would avoid buying a stock simply because someone says:
“This company will benefit when the election comes.”
I would also avoid panic-selling every time there is negative political news.
Most importantly, I would avoid using borrowed money to speculate on election-related market movements. Elections can produce very unpredictable price movements.
For me, the best approach would be:
Study the company
understand the political and economic environment
diversify
invest gradually
keep some liquidity
avoid emotional decisions.
The election itself is not necessarily the biggest risk. The bigger risk is making an investment decision based on an assumption about what will happen politically without considering the underlying business.
In fact, periods of uncertainty can sometimes create opportunities because good companies may temporarily become cheaper. The key is being able to distinguish between a temporary fall caused by sentiment and a permanent deterioration in the company’s fundamentals.
So I would prepare for volatility, but I wouldn’t automatically stay out of the NGX simply because an election is approaching.
A static share price does not necessarily mean that the company is doing badly, and it also doesn't automatically mean that it is a good time to buy. When a share price stays around the same level for a long period, it usually means there is a balance between buyers and sellers. Buyers are not williRead more
A static share price does not necessarily mean that the company is doing badly, and it also doesn’t automatically mean that it is a good time to buy.
When a share price stays around the same level for a long period, it usually means there is a balance between buyers and sellers. Buyers are not willing to push the price much higher, while sellers are also not willing to accept much lower prices.
For example, imagine a company is trading around ₦100 for several weeks:
– Buyers are mostly willing to buy around ₦98–₦100.
– Sellers are mostly willing to sell around ₦100–₦102.
– Neither side is strong enough to move the price significantly.
For a new investor, this can actually be an interesting period to study the company, but I wouldn’t buy simply because the price is static.
I would first ask:
Why is the price static?
If the company’s profits, revenue, cash flow and dividends are growing while the share price remains around the same level, the stock could potentially become more attractive because the underlying business is improving without the price following it.
For example, if Company A was ₦100 last year and remains ₦100 today, but its earnings have increased significantly, the stock may be cheaper relative to its earnings than it was a year ago.
On the other hand, if the price is static because there is very little trading activity or investors have lost interest in the company, that’s a different situation. Low liquidity can also make it difficult to buy or sell large quantities without affecting the price.
There’s also the issue of dividends. A stock doesn’t have to rise dramatically for an investor to make money. If you buy at ₦100 and the company pays ₦10 in dividends over the year while the share price remains around ₦100, you’ve still received a return from the investment, before considering taxes and fees.
So, regarding stocks like TotalEnergies, Dangote Cement, NCR and others, I wouldn’t use the fact that their prices are currently static as the reason to buy or wait.
I’d look at each company individually:
Business performance
Earnings
Valuation
Dividend Debt
Cash flow
Trading volume
Then share price.
In my opinion, a static price can sometimes be an opportunity, sometimes a warning, and sometimes simply a period where the market is waiting for new information.
The key question isn’t “Has the price moved?”
It’s “Has the value of the business changed while the price has remained the same?”
That’s what I would focus on before making a decision.
Why Are My Dematerialized Shares Not Fully Credited to My CSCS Account in Nigeria?
Oh, I understand the situation better now sir. That makes more sense. So your original holding was 300 Oando Plc shares, while the additional 370 shares came from cumulative bonus issues, giving you a total of 670 shares, with the holdings represented by different certificates. The fact that the regRead more
Oh, I understand the situation better now sir. That makes more sense.
So your original holding was 300 Oando Plc shares, while the additional 370 shares came from cumulative bonus issues, giving you a total of 670 shares, with the holdings represented by different certificates.
The fact that the registrar’s statement actually showed the certificate numbers is very important. Since you have confirmed that your personal information is consistent, I would not immediately assume that the problem is a name or KYC mismatch.
It may be that the registrar/broker is still reconciling the different certificates, especially the bonus shares, before the entire holding can be dematerialised and credited to your CSCS account.
For example, if the 300 original shares were properly verified, but some of the bonus certificates require separate verification against the registrar’s records, you could end up seeing only part of the holding in CSCS while the balance remains pending.
What I would do in your position is take the registrar’s statement showing the certificate numbers and compare it carefully with the certificates you submitted. Then ask the broker specifically:
“I submitted certificates covering my original 300 shares and the cumulative bonus shares. The registrar has confirmed the certificate numbers and my shareholder details are correct. Only part of the holding has been credited to my CSCS account. Kindly confirm the status of each outstanding certificate and specifically state which certificate(s) are responsible for the uncredited balance.”
That question should make it harder for them to simply respond with “we are working on it.”
Also, since this is Oando Plc, I would involve the registrar directly in the reconciliation if the broker cannot clearly explain the outstanding shares. Ask the registrar to confirm, certificate by certificate, that all the units are valid and eligible for dematerialisation.
And one thing I noticed from your explanation: you mentioned 300 + 370 = 670, not 675. So I would first reconcile that five-share difference as well, just to make sure there isn’t another issue in the records.
If the registrar’s statement says 670 and you submitted documents for 670, then you have a clear figure to work with.
I think the key now is not to keep waiting blindly. Get a certificate-by-certificate status from the broker/registrar. Once you know exactly which certificates have been credited, which are pending and why, you’ll know what action to take next.
See lessWhy Are My Dematerialized Shares Not Fully Credited to My CSCS Account in Nigeria?
From what you explained, I don't think you should assume that the remaining 625 shares are lost, but since you submitted them in February and only 50 out of 675 have been credited, I think you need to follow up more seriously with the stockbroker. Sometimes with dematerialisation, part of the sharesRead more
From what you explained, I don’t think you should assume that the remaining 625 shares are lost, but since you submitted them in February and only 50 out of 675 have been credited, I think you need to follow up more seriously with the stockbroker.
Sometimes with dematerialisation, part of the shares may be successfully verified and credited while the remaining ones are held up because of issues with the physical certificates, shareholder details, registrar records, name mismatch, incomplete documentation or reconciliation.
For example, if you submitted certificates representing 675 shares and only 50 were successfully verified, the remaining 625 may still be pending verification with the registrar or CSCS.
I would advise you to ask the broker for something more specific than “we are working on it.”
Ask them:
1. What is the exact reason the remaining 625 shares have not been credited?
2. Has the full 675 shares been submitted for dematerialisation?
3. What is the reference number for the transaction?
4. Is there any issue with the certificates or your shareholder details?
5. Which registrar is currently handling the outstanding shares?
6. Do you need to provide any additional documents?
Also, check your CSCS statement directly to confirm exactly what has been credited.
If the broker continues to give you vague answers after all these months, I would escalate the complaint to CSCS and, if necessary, the SEC rather than continuing to wait indefinitely.
For something involving 625 shares, I would want a written explanation and a clear status of the outstanding shares.
Hopefully it’s just a verification or reconciliation issue, but after waiting since February, it’s reasonable to ask them for a proper explanation.
See lessHow can I Open Investment Account for my one year old Baby?
If I were in your position, I wouldn't start by trying to find the "best investment" for my child. I would first understand how the Nigerian investment system works and then create a simple, long-term plan. The good news is that you don't need to be rich to start. First, understand the two markets IRead more
If I were in your position, I wouldn’t start by trying to find the “best investment” for my child. I would first understand how the Nigerian investment system works and then create a simple, long-term plan.
The good news is that you don’t need to be rich to start.
First, understand the two markets
In very simple terms:
Money market: generally deals with shorter-term, interest-bearing instruments such as Treasury bills, bank placements and commercial papers. Money-market mutual funds pool investors’ money and invest in these kinds of instruments. They are generally more focused on liquidity and capital preservation than long-term growth.
Capital market: this is where longer-term investments such as shares, bonds and mutual funds are traded. When you buy shares, for example, you are buying an ownership interest in a company. The value can rise or fall, so there is more market risk.
For a child who is only one year old, the investment horizon could be 15, 17 or even 20 years. That gives you a lot of time.
So I wouldn’t necessarily put everything in a savings account or money-market investment for the entire period. I’d consider having a long-term growth portion, while still keeping some money in safer investments.
What would I actually do?
Suppose I decide I can put ₦20,000 every month toward my child’s future.
I could start with something like:
₦10,000 → long-term investment
₦7,000 → safer savings/fixed-income investment
₦3,000 → cash/emergency reserve for the child
The exact percentages aren’t a rule. Your income and responsibilities matter.
As the child gets older and your income increases, you can increase the monthly contribution.
For example:
Year 1: ₦10,000/month
Year 2: ₦15,000/month
Year 3: ₦20,000/month
Year 4: ₦25,000/month
The important thing is consistency, not starting with a huge amount.
The SEC itself encourages investors to invest consistently, even with small amounts, while understanding their goals and risk tolerance.
What about buying stocks directly for the baby?
This is where I would be careful.
You don’t necessarily need to sit down and pick individual Nigerian stocks for a one-year-old.
As a beginner, I might prefer a properly regulated mutual fund because the fund pools money from many investors and is professionally managed. Depending on the fund, you can get exposure to equities, fixed income or money-market instruments.
Interestingly, SEC educational material describes equity funds as having long-term capital-growth and income objectives and identifies them as potentially suitable for children and young adults because of the long investment horizon.
But that doesn’t mean “put everything into an equity fund.”
Equity investments can fall substantially, sometimes for extended periods. The fact that your child is young gives you time to tolerate volatility, but you still need to understand the particular fund and its risks.
How do I actually open the account?
This is the part where I wouldn’t simply download the first investment app I see.
I’d first identify a SEC-registered fund manager, broker or other capital-market operator that offers an appropriate account/product for a minor.
The SEC has a public directory where you can verify whether an investment operator is registered.
Then ask the institution specifically:
“I want to invest for my one-year-old child as a parent/guardian. Do you offer a minor/children’s investment account, what documents are required, who legally controls the account, and when does the child gain control of the investment?”
They will tell you the exact documentation and account structure they currently require.
Don’t assume every investment app works the same way for minors.
Here’s a realistic example
Let’s say your daughter is one year old today.
You decide to invest ₦10,000 every month for her.
That’s:
₦10,000 × 12 = ₦120,000 per year
If you maintain that contribution for 17 years, your total contributions alone would be:
₦2,040,000
That’s before considering investment returns.
Now imagine that as your income improves, you increase the contribution from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000, then eventually ₦30,000.
The amount you contribute becomes much more significant.
The real power isn’t that ₦10,000 is a huge amount.
It’s that you’re giving the money time.
And this is why I would start as early as possible rather than waiting until the child is 15 before thinking about it.
But there’s another important point
I wouldn’t make the child’s investment the only financial priority.
Imagine the parent earns ₦150,000 per month but has no emergency savings, expensive debt and unstable income.
It doesn’t make sense to invest ₦30,000 for the child while the parent is borrowing money to survive.
The parent’s financial stability is also part of the child’s financial security.
So I’d work on both:
Parent’s emergency fund + income growth + retirement/investment
AND
Child’s long-term investment
Even if the child’s contribution is only ₦5,000 initially.
And please avoid one major mistake
Don’t chase investments promising unbelievable returns.
The SEC has specifically warned Nigerians about unregistered online investment schemes and advises investors to verify the registration status of platforms and operators before putting money into them.
If someone tells you:
“Give me ₦100,000 and I’ll guarantee you 30% every month.”
That’s not where I’d put my child’s future.
For a child, I’d rather have a boring, regulated, understandable investment that I can contribute to consistently for 15-20 years.
So if I were starting today, my plan would simply be:
1. Learn the basics.
2. Verify a regulated investment provider.
3. Open the appropriate account for the child.
4. Start with an amount I can comfortably contribute every month.
5. Diversify between appropriate long-term growth and safer investments.
6. Increase contributions as my income increases.
7. Don’t constantly withdraw the money.
8. Review the investment periodically, not every day.
The goal isn’t to make the child rich overnight.
The goal is that when that one-year-old eventually becomes 18, 20 or 21, there is a financial foundation waiting for them.
Maybe it helps pay university expenses. Maybe it helps them start a business. Maybe it becomes part of their first home deposit or simply gives them capital to begin adulthood.
That’s how I’d look at building wealth for a child: small amounts, invested consistently, protected from unnecessary withdrawals, and given a very long time to grow.
And before choosing the actual fund or platform, I’d verify the current fees, minimum investment, withdrawal rules, tax treatment, risk level and the exact legal ownership structure for a minor. Those details can make a big difference.
See lessHow can someone save consistently when their income is not the same every month?
Yes, I believe saving a percentage of every income is much more realistic for someone whose income changes from month to month. If your income is irregular, telling yourself, "I must save ₦50,000 every month" can become stressful. You may earn ₦200,000 one month and only ₦70,000 the next. The betterRead more
Yes, I believe saving a percentage of every income is much more realistic for someone whose income changes from month to month.
If your income is irregular, telling yourself, “I must save ₦50,000 every month” can become stressful. You may earn ₦200,000 one month and only ₦70,000 the next. The better approach, in my opinion, is to create a system where every amount that comes in has a purpose.
For example, let’s say someone earns:
January: ₦200,000
February: ₦70,000
March: ₦150,000
Instead of saying, “I’ll save ₦30,000 every month,” they could decide to save 15% of whatever they receive.
January: 15% of ₦200,000 = ₦30,000
February: 15% of ₦70,000 = ₦10,500
March: 15% of ₦150,000 = ₦22,500
They have saved ₦63,000 in three months without forcing themselves to save the same amount every month.
But I would go one step further.
For someone with irregular income, I think it’s important to separate survival money, savings and investment money.
For example, whenever ₦100,000 comes in, they might use a simple structure like:
50% → essential expenses
20% → emergency savings
15% → business/work expenses or reinvestment
10% → long-term investment
5% → personal/flexible spending
Again, these percentages aren’t fixed rules. Someone with higher living expenses might need 60% or 70% for essentials.
The principle is what matters.
What happens when income is very low?
Let’s say you normally earn ₦100,000 but this month you only make ₦40,000.
Don’t say, “Since I can’t save ₦20,000, I’ll save nothing.”
If possible, save something.
Even ₦2,000 or ₦4,000 keeps the habit alive.
Then when you have a very good month, you save more.
For example:
January: ₦70,000 income → save ₦7,000
February: ₦200,000 income → save ₦30,000
March: ₦50,000 income → save ₦5,000
April: ₦250,000 income → save ₦40,000
The good months help compensate for the weaker months.
I would also create a “salary” for myself.
This is something I think can really help people with irregular income.
Suppose someone makes ₦600,000 in a very good month.
Instead of immediately increasing their spending because they have ₦600,000, they could put part of it aside and give themselves a controlled monthly allowance.
For example:
They receive ₦600,000.
They keep ₦200,000 as business/emergency reserve and use the remaining ₦400,000 to support their expenses over several months.
Then if the following month they make only ₦70,000, they don’t suddenly have to panic.
The good months are helping to fund the bad months.
That’s the advantage of building a financial buffer.
And I wouldn’t invest before building some savings.
If income is irregular and you have no emergency fund, I’d prioritize building that safety net first.
Imagine you earn ₦200,000 this month and decide to invest ₦50,000.
Then next month your income falls to ₦50,000 and your rent, transport or other urgent expenses come up.
You may end up selling your investment or borrowing money.
So I’d first build a small emergency fund, perhaps ₦50,000, then ₦100,000, and eventually work toward several months of essential expenses.
After that, investing becomes much easier because you’re less likely to disturb your long-term investments.
The biggest lesson for irregular earners
I don’t think the goal should be:
“I must save the same amount every month.”
It should be:
“Every time money enters my hands, I must save something before I spend everything.”
Some months it may be ₦5,000.
Some months ₦20,000.
Some months ₦50,000.
And if one month is extremely difficult and you can only save ₦1,000, that’s still better than completely abandoning the habit.
The most important thing is to avoid allowing your lifestyle to rise every time your income rises.
If you earn ₦70,000 one month, live reasonably around that level.
If you suddenly earn ₦300,000 the next month, don’t immediately start behaving as though ₦300,000 is your new normal.
Use the good months to strengthen your financial foundation.
Irregular income requires flexible saving, not irregular discipline.
That distinction is very important.
See lessHow Can a Nigerian Final-Year Student Prepare Financially for Life After Graduation?
I understand how you feel. Being in your final year, thinking about what will happen after school, wanting to study outside Nigeria, and at the same time knowing that you may not have someone financially supporting you can be scary. But it doesn't mean your dream is impossible. If I were in your posRead more
I understand how you feel. Being in your final year, thinking about what will happen after school, wanting to study outside Nigeria, and at the same time knowing that you may not have someone financially supporting you can be scary. But it doesn’t mean your dream is impossible.
If I were in your position, I would stop looking at “studying abroad” as something that must happen immediately after graduation. I would treat it as a 3 to 5-year plan and start building toward it now.
For example, you’re a final-year Mechanical Engineering student. Your first target should be to graduate well and make yourself employable.
Before you finish school, I would start developing practical skills around Mechanical Engineering. Depending on your interests, you could learn things like:
• AutoCAD
• SolidWorks
• AutoCAD Plant 3D
• Revit MEP
• HVAC design
• Mechanical maintenance
• Oil and gas-related technical skills
• Project management
• Data analysis or other digital skills
You don’t need to learn everything. Pick one or two areas that have good demand and become genuinely good at them.
Then I’d start looking for internships, entry-level jobs, freelance opportunities or even volunteer experience. Your first job doesn’t have to be your dream job. Sometimes the first job is simply the bridge to the next opportunity.
Let’s say after graduation you get a job paying ₦150,000 per month.
Don’t look at that salary and say, “This is too small, so there’s no point.”
You could start building a plan around it.
For example:
₦90,000 → living expenses
₦20,000 → savings
₦20,000 → professional development
₦10,000 → future study-abroad fund
₦10,000 → emergency/personal needs
The numbers can change depending on your situation. The important thing is that you’re deliberately putting something toward your future.
If you save ₦10,000 every month, that’s ₦120,000 in a year. If your income increases and you eventually save ₦30,000 monthly, that’s ₦360,000 a year.
And you shouldn’t depend only on your salary.
You could use your engineering skills to create additional income. Maybe CAD drafting, 3D modelling, technical drawings, tutoring engineering students, digital services or another skill you develop.
The goal is to eventually have multiple sources of income, even if they start very small.
For studying abroad, start researching early
Don’t wait until you’re ready to travel before you start looking at universities.
Start researching countries and schools now.
Look at:
• Tuition fees
• Scholarships
• Application requirements
• English-language requirements
• Academic requirements
• Visa requirements
• Cost of living
• Part-time work rules
• Post-study work opportunities
• Funding opportunities
And most importantly, look for fully funded and partially funded scholarships.
You don’t necessarily need to have millions sitting in your account before you can study abroad. There are scholarships, assistantships and other funding opportunities, although they are competitive and you need to prepare properly.
Your final-year project, CGPA, CV, recommendation letters, statement of purpose and relevant experience can all become important.
So I’d start building those things now.
For example, if your final-year project is something related to renewable energy, manufacturing, automation, thermofluids or another area you’re interested in, don’t just see it as something you need to submit and forget.
Use it to demonstrate your technical ability.
Document what you did.
Learn how to explain it professionally.
Put relevant projects and skills on your CV and LinkedIn profile.
And don’t compare your timeline with other people.
Someone in your class may graduate and immediately travel to Canada, the UK, Germany or another country.
Another person may get a ₦500,000 salary.
Another person may remain unemployed for six months.
Their timeline isn’t your timeline.
If you don’t currently have anyone to support you financially, that simply means you have to be more strategic.
Your first objective may not be “leave Nigeria immediately.”
It may be:
Graduate
develop a valuable skill
get experience
increase income
save
apply for scholarships/jobs abroad
relocate when the opportunity makes financial sense.
And if the first opportunity doesn’t come, try again.
Don’t spend your little money on agents promising guaranteed visas or guaranteed jobs. Be very careful with people asking for huge payments in exchange for promises they cannot guarantee.
Most importantly, don’t underestimate where you are right now.
You’re already studying Mechanical Engineering and you’re in your final year. That’s a foundation.
You don’t need to have your entire life figured out before graduation.
You just need to know what the next step is.
If I were you, my next three moves would be:
1. Finish school strongly.
2. Pick one highly valuable engineering skill and become very good at it.
3. Start researching scholarships, jobs and countries while simultaneously building income and savings.
Your dream of studying outside Nigeria may take longer than you expect. That’s okay.
The dream doesn’t become impossible simply because the journey isn’t immediate.
Sometimes the first step toward studying abroad isn’t buying a flight ticket.
It’s sitting down today, choosing a skill, improving your CV, researching five universities, applying for one scholarship, and saving your first ₦5,000.
Then you do it again next week.
That’s how a big dream starts becoming a real plan.
See lessHow can a young person support their family financially without destroying their own financial future?
This is something I think many young Nigerians can relate to because sometimes family responsibility starts almost immediately after you begin earning. One money lesson I have learned is that helping your family should not mean destroying your own financial foundation. For example, imagine a young pRead more
This is something I think many young Nigerians can relate to because sometimes family responsibility starts almost immediately after you begin earning.
One money lesson I have learned is that helping your family should not mean destroying your own financial foundation.
For example, imagine a young person earns ₦200,000 per month. His parents need help with food, his younger sibling needs school fees, and another relative has an urgent problem. Before he knows it, the entire ₦200,000 is gone.
Then something happens to him the following month. Maybe he loses his job or doesn’t get paid on time. He has nothing saved, so he has to borrow money to survive.
At that point, he has become financially dependent while trying to support other people.
I think the better approach is to create boundaries around your income.
If I earned ₦200,000, for example, I might initially structure it something like:
₦100,000: essential personal expenses
₦30,000: family support
₦30,000: emergency savings
₦20,000: investment or long-term savings
₦20,000: skill development/personal needs
The exact numbers would depend on the person’s circumstances. If the family has a genuine emergency, the allocation may obviously change.
But the principle is important: don’t make family support an unlimited expense.
I’d also separate “needs” from “requests.”
If my mother needs money for food or medication, that’s very different from a relative asking me for money to buy something that isn’t urgent.
And sometimes the best way to support your family is not to keep giving them cash every month. It may be helping a younger sibling learn a skill, paying for something that improves their education, helping a parent start a small business, or contributing toward something that can eventually reduce their dependence on you.
For example, instead of giving a sibling ₦20,000 every month indefinitely, you might help them get the training or equipment they need to start earning ₦30,000 themselves.
That’s a different kind of support.
I also believe you should communicate honestly with your family.
You don’t have to say, “I don’t want to help.”
You can say:
“I want to support the family, but I also need to save and build myself so that I can become more useful to everyone in the future. I may not be able to meet every request, but I’ll contribute what I can consistently.”
That’s not selfish.
If you destroy your own finances trying to rescue everybody today, you may not have the capacity to help anyone tomorrow.
So for me, the balance is:
Take care of your basic needs
build an emergency fund
support your family within a realistic limit invest in your future
increase your income.
As your income grows, you can increase the amount you give.
The goal shouldn’t be to choose between “my family” and “my future.”
The goal should be to build yourself financially strong enough that, eventually, your family doesn’t have to depend on your monthly salary alone.
That, to me, is one of the most sustainable ways of helping the people you love.
See lessHow Can a Student Start and Maintain an Investment in Nigeria Without a Job?
I completely understand where you are coming from. And honestly, if you are currently a student without a job or regular income, I would not advise you to put pressure on yourself to start investing immediately. The first investment I would make in your position is actually knowledge and financial dRead more
I completely understand where you are coming from. And honestly, if you are currently a student without a job or regular income, I would not advise you to put pressure on yourself to start investing immediately.
The first investment I would make in your position is actually knowledge and financial discipline.
For example, if you receive ₦20,000 from your parents or someone gives you money for your upkeep, don’t think, “I must invest ₦10,000 because I want to become an investor.”
Instead, first make sure your basic needs are covered. If you can genuinely keep ₦2,000 or ₦5,000 aside without needing it for food, transport, school materials or other important expenses, then you can start with that.
Let’s say you receive ₦20,000:
• ₦12,000 for your essential needs
• ₦5,000 kept as savings/emergency money
• ₦2,000 toward learning or developing a useful skill
• ₦1,000 to begin learning and investing
The ₦1,000 may look very small, but that’s not the point. You’re building the habit.
As a student, I would also focus heavily on developing a skill that can eventually give you an income. Something like graphic design, programming, digital marketing, writing, video editing, a technical skill, tutoring, or any skill that matches your ability and has a market.
Because if you eventually learn how to earn ₦50,000, ₦100,000 or ₦200,000 a month, your ability to invest becomes much stronger.
And regarding your concern about maintaining an investment without interfering with it, that’s where you need a system.
For example, imagine you eventually start earning ₦100,000 monthly. You could decide that every time you receive money, 10% goes toward long-term investment. So ₦10,000 is invested and you mentally consider that money unavailable for everyday spending.
You can also separate your investment money from your normal spending account. That way, when you check your balance and see money available for food or transport, you’re not looking at the money you’ve already committed to your long-term goals.
But please don’t invest money that you know you’ll need next week.
If you have ₦10,000 and you need ₦8,000 for transport and food, don’t invest ₦8,000 just because you want to start early. Keep the money you need.
Starting small is completely fine.
Even ₦1,000, ₦2,000 or ₦5,000 can be the beginning, provided you’re learning what you’re doing and the money isn’t needed for your immediate survival.
I would also advise you not to jump into individual stocks, crypto or any investment simply because someone on social media says it will make you rich. First understand what you’re buying, the risks involved, how you make money from it, how you withdraw your money and whether the platform or institution is properly regulated.
Your situation as a student is actually an advantage in one way: you have time to learn.
Don’t worry about making a lot of money from investing right now. Learn the principles, start with whatever small amount you can genuinely afford, develop a valuable skill, and focus on increasing your income.
When your income eventually grows, the investment habit you’ve built will grow with it.
So if I were in your position, my order would be:
Learn
Save
Develop a skill
Earn
Invest consistently
Leave the investment alone
Repeat.
You don’t need to be rich before you start learning about investing. But you also don’t need to rush into investing before you’re financially ready.
See lessIf You Were in My Position, What Would You Do With Your Next ₦10,000?
Thank you for the question. To be honest, I think this is one of those questions that requires looking at the bigger picture, because if someone is starting with very little money and irregular income, the goal shouldn't simply be to find an investment that will give the highest return. If I were stRead more
Thank you for the question. To be honest, I think this is one of those questions that requires looking at the bigger picture, because if someone is starting with very little money and irregular income, the goal shouldn’t simply be to find an investment that will give the highest return.
If I were starting from exactly that position, and I had only ₦10,000 available, my first question would be: “What will this ₦10,000 do for my financial situation?”
I wouldn’t automatically put the whole ₦10,000 into stocks or any investment just because I want to start investing.
For example, I might divide it like this:
• ₦5,000 for emergency savings
• ₦3,000 toward learning a skill or something that can increase my income
• ₦2,000 toward a low-risk investment, mainly to start developing the habit of investing.
The exact percentage can change depending on the situation. If I had urgent needs or expensive debt, I would probably deal with those first.
Why would I prioritize emergency savings?
Because with irregular income, liquidity is extremely important.
Imagine I invest the entire ₦10,000 today, but tomorrow I have an unexpected transport expense, food expense, medical bill, or another urgent need. I may be forced to sell my investment or borrow money.
So before trying to maximize returns, I would first try to create a small financial cushion.
My first target might be ₦50,000, then ₦100,000, and eventually enough to cover at least one month of essential expenses. Over time, I’d work toward a larger emergency fund.
What about investing?
I would definitely start investing, but I wouldn’t rush into individual stocks as a complete beginner.
I’d first learn the difference between:
• Savings accounts
• Money-market mutual funds
• Treasury bills
• Government bonds
• Mutual funds
• Individual stocks
• NGX-listed companies
If I wanted somewhere relatively simple to begin, I would consider a regulated money-market or fixed-income mutual fund, depending on the available options, fees, liquidity and current returns.
The reason is that I wouldn’t want my first investment experience to be based on guessing which stock will rise tomorrow.
I’d rather understand what I’m buying, how it makes money, what risks are involved, how quickly I can access the money and what fees I’m paying.
As I become more knowledgeable and my emergency fund improves, I would gradually consider equities and NGX-listed companies for long-term growth.
I also wouldn’t underestimate the importance of increasing income.
This is probably the most important part for someone starting with little money.
If I have ₦20,000 and make a 10% return, I’ve made only ₦2,000.
But if I use ₦20,000 to improve a skill, buy a tool, learn something valuable, market a service or improve a small business and that eventually helps me earn an additional ₦30,000 every month, that can have a much bigger impact.
So I would constantly ask:
“Can this money help me earn more money in the future?”
That doesn’t mean every naira should go into business or education. It means I would balance financial assets with human capital.
My approach would also be different because my income is irregular.
If I earned a fixed salary, I could say:
“Every month I’ll save ₦30,000 and invest ₦20,000.”
But with irregular income, I would use percentages instead.
For example, whenever ₦100,000 comes in, I might allocate it something like:
₦50,000 → essential expenses
₦20,000 → emergency savings
₦15,000 → business/skill/income improvement
₦10,000 → long-term investment
₦5,000 → personal/flexible spending
If only ₦30,000 comes in, I apply the same principle at a smaller scale.
The important thing is that every amount of money coming in should have a purpose before I spend it.
Before investing in anything, I’d ask myself some basic questions:
1. What exactly am I investing in?
2. How does it generate returns?
3. What are the risks?
4. Can I lose part or all of my money?
5. How quickly can I withdraw it?
6. What fees or charges are involved?
7. Who regulates the institution?
8. What has historically happened to this type of investment?
9. Am I investing for the short term or long term?
10. Do I actually understand what I’m buying?
I would also avoid investing because someone says, “This stock will double,” or “This investment is guaranteed to make 30%.”
If I don’t understand the investment, I wouldn’t put my money there.
If I had to choose my first three financial moves
First: Build an emergency fund.
I’d start small. Even ₦5,000 matters. My target would gradually move from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 and eventually several months of essential expenses.
Second: Increase my earning ability.
I’d identify one or two skills or business opportunities that could realistically increase my income. I wouldn’t try to chase every opportunity at once.
Third: Start investing small and learn continuously.
Even if I can only invest ₦2,000 or ₦5,000 initially, I’d start. Not because that amount will make me rich immediately, but because I’m building the habit and learning how financial markets work.
Over time, as my income increases, I can increase the amount I’m investing.
For me, the bigger goal would not be:
“How do I turn ₦10,000 into ₦20,000 quickly?”
It would be:
“How do I build a system that allows me to consistently save, increase my income, invest and acquire productive assets?”
Because ₦10,000 by itself won’t create financial independence.
But learning how to properly manage ₦10,000 can prepare you to properly manage ₦100,000, ₦1 million and eventually much more.
So if I were starting all over again with very little money and irregular income, I wouldn’t focus only on finding the perfect investment.
I’d focus on three things:
Protect what I have.
Increase what I can earn.
Invest what I can afford to leave untouched.
Then I’d repeat that process consistently for years.
That’s probably a slower approach than looking for quick profits, but I think it’s a much more realistic path toward genuine financial independence.
See lessShould I Buy, Hold, or Sell Nigerian Stocks as the 2027 Elections Approach?
Yes, I believe the approaching 2027 general elections can have both positive and negative effects on the Nigerian stock market, depending on the stage of the election cycle, investor sentiment, government policies and the performance of individual companies. Historically, investors can become more cRead more
Yes, I believe the approaching 2027 general elections can have both positive and negative effects on the Nigerian stock market, depending on the stage of the election cycle, investor sentiment, government policies and the performance of individual companies.
Historically, investors can become more cautious before elections because of uncertainty about government policies, the naira, inflation, interest rates and the direction of the economy. This can lead to some investors reducing their exposure to equities or moving money into safer assets. Recent reports also indicate that political uncertainty is already influencing some foreign portfolio flows.
For example, imagine I own ₦1 million worth of Nigerian bank stocks and I become worried that election uncertainty could cause volatility. I might decide to sell part of my holdings and keep more money in cash or fixed-income investments. If many investors do the same thing, selling pressure can push stock prices lower.
But the opposite can also happen.
If the election process is considered credible and investors become confident about the economic policies of the incoming government, money can return to the market. Companies that benefit from government spending, infrastructure, consumer activity or economic growth could also perform well.
For an investor, I think the most important thing is not to try to predict the election result or trade every political headline.
Instead, I would learn to monitor:
1. Company fundamentals
Look at revenue, profit, debt, cash flow, dividends and earnings growth.
2. Valuation
A good company can still be a bad investment if you buy it at an unreasonable price.
3. Interest rates and inflation
These affect both companies and the attractiveness of alternative investments.
4. The naira and foreign exchange market
Currency movements can significantly affect companies that depend on imports or foreign currency.
5. Election-related policy changes
Pay attention to government budgets, taxes, subsidies, regulations and spending plans.
6. Market diversification
I wouldn’t put all my money into one sector or one company simply because I expect it to benefit from the election.
For example, instead of putting ₦500,000 into one stock because I believe it will benefit from election spending, I could spread the money across several quality companies and keep part of the portfolio in lower-risk assets.
What I would avoid
I would avoid buying a stock simply because someone says:
“This company will benefit when the election comes.”
I would also avoid panic-selling every time there is negative political news.
Most importantly, I would avoid using borrowed money to speculate on election-related market movements. Elections can produce very unpredictable price movements.
For me, the best approach would be:
Study the company
understand the political and economic environment
diversify
invest gradually
keep some liquidity
avoid emotional decisions.
The election itself is not necessarily the biggest risk. The bigger risk is making an investment decision based on an assumption about what will happen politically without considering the underlying business.
In fact, periods of uncertainty can sometimes create opportunities because good companies may temporarily become cheaper. The key is being able to distinguish between a temporary fall caused by sentiment and a permanent deterioration in the company’s fundamentals.
So I would prepare for volatility, but I wouldn’t automatically stay out of the NGX simply because an election is approaching.
See lessWhat Does It Mean When a Share Price Remains Static on the Nigerian Stock Market?
A static share price does not necessarily mean that the company is doing badly, and it also doesn't automatically mean that it is a good time to buy. When a share price stays around the same level for a long period, it usually means there is a balance between buyers and sellers. Buyers are not williRead more
A static share price does not necessarily mean that the company is doing badly, and it also doesn’t automatically mean that it is a good time to buy.
When a share price stays around the same level for a long period, it usually means there is a balance between buyers and sellers. Buyers are not willing to push the price much higher, while sellers are also not willing to accept much lower prices.
For example, imagine a company is trading around ₦100 for several weeks:
– Buyers are mostly willing to buy around ₦98–₦100.
– Sellers are mostly willing to sell around ₦100–₦102.
– Neither side is strong enough to move the price significantly.
For a new investor, this can actually be an interesting period to study the company, but I wouldn’t buy simply because the price is static.
I would first ask:
Why is the price static?
If the company’s profits, revenue, cash flow and dividends are growing while the share price remains around the same level, the stock could potentially become more attractive because the underlying business is improving without the price following it.
For example, if Company A was ₦100 last year and remains ₦100 today, but its earnings have increased significantly, the stock may be cheaper relative to its earnings than it was a year ago.
On the other hand, if the price is static because there is very little trading activity or investors have lost interest in the company, that’s a different situation. Low liquidity can also make it difficult to buy or sell large quantities without affecting the price.
There’s also the issue of dividends. A stock doesn’t have to rise dramatically for an investor to make money. If you buy at ₦100 and the company pays ₦10 in dividends over the year while the share price remains around ₦100, you’ve still received a return from the investment, before considering taxes and fees.
So, regarding stocks like TotalEnergies, Dangote Cement, NCR and others, I wouldn’t use the fact that their prices are currently static as the reason to buy or wait.
I’d look at each company individually:
Business performance
Earnings
Valuation
Dividend Debt
Cash flow
Trading volume
Then share price.
In my opinion, a static price can sometimes be an opportunity, sometimes a warning, and sometimes simply a period where the market is waiting for new information.
The key question isn’t “Has the price moved?”
It’s “Has the value of the business changed while the price has remained the same?”
That’s what I would focus on before making a decision.
See less