Naira Life Vol 198

Good Morning, 🌞

The Naira Life Conference is happening this week!

In case you've missed it: Zikoko and Yield by Credit Direct are leaading a convergence of entrepreneurs, professionals, industry leaders, and wealth builders to talk money and everything that comes with making it, keeping it, growing it and passing it on. The goal is to take meaningful action - together.

And here's a sweet deal for you: tickets are off 25% until Monday at midnight. So hurry and confirm your attendance before ths offer ends. I'll see you on Saturday, August 22.

Now, let's get into today's stories. 👇🏾

In this letter:

• #NairaLife: She’s Working 4 Jobs to Escape Years of Financial Trauma
• Love Currency: “He Spends More Money on His Child Than Me”
• These Nigerians Moved Cities to Make More Money. Did It Pay Off?
• Ask Aunty M
• Where The Money At?!

This 22-year-old’s childhood was plagued by a vivid awareness of her family’s money problems: public humiliation, financial instability and periods of relying on relatives to get by.

Determined not to return there, she’s taking her future into her own hands by working multiple jobs and setting strict boundaries to break the cycle. This is her #NairaLife

Panic doesn't come from borrowing; it comes from being locked into repayments you can't manage.

Carbon does things differently. We skip the hidden fees and surprise charges to give you transparent rates and terms that fit your budget.

Emergency? Business growth? Unexpected bill? Get the support you need without losing your peace of mind. Borrow smart, breathe easy, and keep moving forward.

Three months into their relationship, Susanna* (29) discovered that Alfred* (34) was a single father. She decided to stay, but as their relationship has become more serious, his financial responsibilities to his son have become harder for her to ignore.

For #LoveCurrency, she talks about their money dynamic and the questions she’s beginning to have about their future. Read the full story here

The Naira Life Conference is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Show up ready to learn from finance experts, business owners and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth sustainably.

Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.

Moving cities can be a risky decision, especially when it means leaving behind a familiar life. But for the Nigerians in this piece, the decision was necessary to get a better shot at the life they want.

They moved across Nigeria in search of better opportunities, a chance to start over, and ultimately, a better financial future.

I have exactly 0 naira in my savings after working for over two years after graduation (i.e. NYSC plus a year's experience.) A combination of bad financial decisions and a poor salary while being overworked (I last did a 7 to 4, 6 days a week role in a community pharmacy. I just got a job in the civil service, but I won't be paid for at least two months. Any suggestions on side gigs I can do to earn money? I don't like being hungry; I promise to be more prudent. - Blessing, 28

Hi Blessing,

It’s great to see you want to start taking your finances seriously! Let's dive right in!

You didn’t mention your exact skill set, but I’m assuming you have a background in pharmacology or medicine, here are flexible options to generate income while you wait for your civil service salary:

Locum work: Reach out to local hospitals or community pharmacies that need extra shift-based staff. This is a great way to earn as you work.

Health content writing: Brush up on your writing skills and pitch to health brands, or offer your services on platforms like Fiverr.

Online Tutoring: Teach subjects you excel at during your off-hours.

Freelance digital work: Explore virtual assistance, social media management, or content creation for local businesses.

If you'd like to share more about your specific background and the details of your new job, I can give you much more tailored recommendations.

Xoxo, Mo

• If you're here, you probably have a money or work dilemma. Ask your question and we'll figure out an actionable solution for you.