Nollywood has never been shy about drama — betrayal, romance, wealth, and the dangerous chase for it. But tucked inside the chaos are surprisingly sharp lessons about money.
From Andy’s ill-fated quest for occult riches in Living in Bondage to Zuri’s lifestyle creep in The Smart Money Woman, these stories remind us that money can build empires, destroy families, or leave you flat broke.
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Here are 10 times Nollywood accidentally schooled us on the money game:
1. The Smart Money Woman (2020 series)
When Your Salary Isn’t Enough to Save You
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Running time: 13 episodes (~40 mins each)
Zuri has the Lagos dream: a great job, designer wardrobe, and buzzing social life. But when unexpected expenses hit, she realises she’s been living from paycheck to paycheck. This is a reminder that even a high income can leave you broke if your money has no structure.
The Money Lesson:
Lifestyle creep is subtle and dangerous. Without budgeting, saving, or investing, your earnings could be sucked into weekend thrills and fleeting status. The show reminds us that financial freedom is built on discipline, not vibes.
Watch The Smart Money Woman on YouTube.
2. New Money (2018)
Sudden Wealth, Sudden Problems
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Running time: 1h 47m
Toun is a salesgirl at a Lagos boutique until she discovers she’s the sole heir to her billionaire father’s empire. Her world flips overnight — from selling clothes to signing deals and dining with Lagos’s high society. But she soon learns that wealth comes with pressure, fake friends, and enemies she never knew existed.
The Money Lesson:
Money doesn’t only expand your lifestyle, it magnifies your problems. Sudden wealth can feel more like a burden than a blessing without preparation and wisdom.
3. The Set Up (2019)
Not Every Bag Is Worth Chasing
- Genre: Thriller, Crime Drama
- Running time: 1h 42m
Chike, a young woman with a troubled past, gets pulled into elaborate cons where love, crime, and betrayal collide. The schemes promise big paydays, but every move leaves her more entangled and less in control of her future.
The Money Lesson:
Not all opportunities are worth the payout. When money requires you to compromise your safety or integrity, it’s not income; it’s a liability dressed as a hustle.
4. Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2019)
The Price of Easy Wealth
- Genre: Thriller, Supernatural Drama
- Running time: 2h 30m
Nnamdi, son of Andy from the original Living in Bondage (1992), is lured by a secret cult of powerful men who promise him influence and riches. But as he steps into their world, he realises that every fortune has a hidden price.
The Money Lesson:
The temptation of shortcuts is timeless. Quick wealth almost always comes with hidden costs — debts, dangers, or obligations that strip away freedom.
Watch Living in Bondage on Netflix.
5. Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018)
Flash Without Foundation
- Genre: Action Comedy
- Running time: 1h 46m
Four wealthy Abuja bachelors live fast and spend faster — flashy cars, designer suits, lavish parties. Beneath the glamour, though, are shady deals, messy relationships, and an empire that could crumble at any moment.
The Money Lesson:
Money without discipline is just noise. The men may look untouchable, but reckless living leaves even the richest vulnerable to collapse.
6. Quam’s Money (2020)
When Everyone Sees You as an ATM
- Genre: Comedy, Crime Drama
- Running time: 1h 54m
Once a humble security guard, Quam wins the lottery and becomes an overnight millionaire. But the moment his fortune is public, friends, strangers, and scammers circle him like sharks. He quickly realises that wealth attracts more predators than opportunities.
The Money Lesson:
Making money is one thing; protecting it is another. Sudden riches can leave you even more vulnerable than poverty without boundaries and caution.
Watch Quam’s Money on Netflix.
7. Chief Daddy (2018)
Inheritance Can Break Families
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Running time: 1h 39m
When Chief Beecroft dies, his sprawling family gathers to split his fortune, only to discover mistresses, secret children, and hidden debts. What should have been a legacy becomes a circus of greed and betrayal.
The Money Lesson:
Wealth without structure leaves behind chaos. A will, estate plan, or even honest conversations about money can prevent family wars after death.
8. The Bling Lagosians (2019)
When Status Becomes a Debt Trap
- Genre: Drama, Comedy
- Running time: 1h 37m
The Holloways are preparing an extravagant birthday bash while their finances spiral out of control. With debts mounting and creditors circling, they risk everything to keep up appearances of wealth.
The Money Lesson:
Living for status is a financial prison. Chasing image over stability leaves you broke, anxious, and constantly performing for people who don’t pay your bills.
Watch The Bling Lagosians on Netflix
9. Glamour Girls (1994 / 2022)
The Cost of the Fast Life
- Genre: Drama
- Running time: 2h 0m (1994); 2h 5m (2022)
From the original’s sugar daddy economy to the reboot’s luxury-obsessed “big girl” culture, Glamour Girls shows women navigating love, survival, and ambition in a world where beauty and sex are traded for wealth.
The Money Lesson:
Shortcuts can elevate lifestyle but rarely build stability. When your income depends on someone else’s pocket, your freedom is always on lease.
Watch Glamour Girls on Netflix.
10. Osuofia in London (2003)
Inheritance Is Never Free Money
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Running time: 1h 50m
Osuofia, a villager, inherits his brother’s wealth in London. But once abroad, he clashes with foreign culture, greedy relatives, and opportunists eager to exploit his naivety.
The Money Lesson:
Windfalls without financial literacy are a trap. Inherited money without preparation often slips through the fingers.
Watch Osuofia in London on YouTube.
