Naira Life Vol 199

Good Morning, 🌞

The Naira Life Conference is done!

For months, we planned and worked towards bringing together as many people with a relationship with the Naira to engage with ideas and perspectives on building wealth — individually and collectively.

On Saturday, we saw this effort come alive in real time, through conversations and workshops about making money, growing it, protecting it, and turning it into something that lasts. Thank you for spending your day with us.

More than anything, we hope you left with at least one actionable idea you can’t wait to put to the test — in your work, your business, or your finances.

Before we return to regular programming, we have one more request for everyone who was in the room: we’d love to hear about your experience at the Naira Life Conference 2026.

What worked? What didn’t? Which conversations stayed with you? And what should we do differently next time? It’ll only take a few minutes to share your thoughts.

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

In this letter:

• #NairaLife: This 26-Year-Old Built a ₦7.9 Million Safety Net in 2 Years. How?
• Nigerians Share The Networking Tips They Swear By
• 8 Nigerians Recall How They Spent Their First Salary
• Ask Aunty M
• Where The Money At?!

How do you build a ₦7.9 million safety net in just two years? For this 26-year-old banker, it took recovering from post-grad depression, leveraging ajo contribution payouts into mutual funds, and saving 70% of her monthly income.

Now, she’s on track to hit ₦10 million and shares her plans for the next phase in her financial journey. 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.

People who succeed at growing their networks rarely approach it from a sending cold messages or exchanging business cards perspective. They treat it as relationship-building, not as a way to use someone else to get a leg up in their careers.

So we asked these Nigerians to share the networking tips that have actually worked for them. Here’s what they said

For some Nigerians, their first earnings helped pay school fees, support family members or buy something they desperately needed. For others, it was their first taste of independence, and a chance to spend money exactly how they wanted.

We asked Nigerians across generations about the first income they ever made and what they did with it.

I've been in a difficult situation. No full-time job for 8 years, and I was forced to survive on contract and part-time jobs. It was very depressing because I'm an independent person who prefers giving rather than receiving. I got this new job recently, and it's been 'hellish' too. Every day, employees are pushed to the wall by difficult, even inhumane, policies, and we receive threats of sack letters. If I’m on the night shift, I get to sleep past 12 midnight and wake up at 5 am to get to the office in Lekki (I live on the mainland). This has aggravated my seizure attacks, which started as a result of these traumatic events. The thing is, I've been applying (and praying) for another job, but nothing. I feel like I'm dying daily at this job; I can't keep my joy. Should I resign, with no alternative yet? The pay is just good enough to try to save for investments in the long run. - M.A, 41

Hi,

First, I want to extend my sincere empathy for everything you’ve been through and are currently experiencing. It is an incredibly difficult situation to navigate, and my heart goes out to you.

I initially wanted to suggest staying at your job for a set timeline, say, 3 to 6 months, but given how toxic the environment is and how severely it’s impacting your health, I can’t in good conscience recommend that. A lot can happen in the few months to trigger or worsen your well-being. At the same time, leaving without a backup plan is risky, especially considering how long it took to secure this role.

While I don't have a bulletproof plan, here are a few paths to consider:

Prioritise Remote/Virtual Roles: As you search for new opportunities, lean heavily toward remote or virtual jobs that offer a safer and less stressful work environment.

Monetise Your Current Skills:Is there a way to package what you already know into an independent income stream? Consider offering virtual consulting, creating downloadable digital resources, writing content, or teaching/coaching online. This could provide a financial cushion while you look for something better.

I’m so sorry I don’t have all the answers, but I’m genuinely rooting for you and keeping you in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your story with me.

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.