Our coverage exists to increase the surface area of quality information about money.
In 2025, we did that through our web flagships — features, first-person essays, interviews, and videos. We even took our first real stab at organising an event, uncovering fresh ideas and perspectives along the way.
This time, though, we’re narrowing the focus to our web stories. As always, we followed Nigerians’ intimate — and often complicated — relationships with money. We explored multiple income levels, businesses, careers, and backgrounds, each with its own set of nuances.
And you, our readers, had clear favourites. Here are the top 10 Money stories of 2025 you couldn’t get enough of.
1. I Retired at 53 With Over ₦1 Billion in Assets — Here’s How I Did It
In 1998, this 53-year-old retiree began taking charge of her financial freedom through small, consistent investments. Over time, she grew her assets deliberately and positioned herself for an early, comfortable retirement.
It’s not every day you speak to a billionaire. So what do you do when you find one? You ask for a sit-down, throw a bunch of questions at them, and make them break down the numbers, which Aisha does brilliantly here.
This was a personal favourite and deeply instructive. I was particularly fond of how the source’s deliberate decisions over the last twenty years shone through the piece. It leaves you with one gnawing thought: “I think I can do this, too.”
Read this story here.
2. I Build Houses in Lagos — Here’s How Much It Costs to Build One From the Ground Up
We speak to multiple people every week, and one theme keeps resurfacing: the desire to protect and grow wealth. I’m always fascinated by how often real estate comes up.
That’s why I’m glad this story exists; it provides a cold, hard breakdown of the cost of owning a home in Lagos.
It turns out many of you also felt the same way.
Read the full thing here.
3. These 10 Money Market Mutual Funds Are Making Nigerians Rich in 2025
The premise here was simple: explain how money market mutual funds work, then highlight a few worth paying attention to.
If you need an idea where to look as you prepare for your money moves in 2026, this might be a good place to start.
Note: We published in March 2025 based on the latest SEC data. This is not financial advice; always do your own research.
Find the list here.
4. 5 Nigerians Break Down the Side Hustles That Pay More Than Their Salaries
Depending on who you ask, you’ll hear some version of: “You need a side hustle to survive Nigeria.”
People optimise for different things, but side gigs have become especially popular as Nigerians look for ways to supplement their income. The bigger question, though, is this: Can a side hustle actually out-earn a full-time job?
Bolu went looking for answers. The people she found shared how their side hustles turned into major income streams, and what that process looked like.
Read the full story here.
5. I Made ₦6m as a Beginner YouTuber in Three Months. Here’s How I Did It
“Twenty-year-old medical student Layla* started creating YouTube content as an experiment in January 2025. Three months later, she was monetised — and earning millions monthly from a faceless channel.”
This story is a reminder that the right information, found at the right time, might set you up for your next income level. For Layla, it started with a Facebook post. She acted on it, and everything followed from there.
Read her process here.
6. Is Moving From Lagos to a Cheaper City Worth It? We Asked Nigerians Who’ve Done It
“Lagos is an expensive city to live in. The costs don’t make sense.” — Anonymous, 2025.
Many people flirt with the idea of leaving Lagos. Most can’t — their jobs are here. Some won’t. But for a few, everything aligned, and they made the jump.
We spoke to four of them about how relocation affected their living costs and financial well-being. Read here.
7. My ₦2 Million Poultry Business Crashed After I Moved Down South
For seven years, *Ismatu, 40, ran a thriving poultry business in Northern Nigeria, earning about ₦500k every eight weeks. When her family relocated south in 2024, she moved with them — and her ₦2 million life savings.
She assumed the business would work anywhere. She didn’t anticipate a radically different market — or how quickly everything would unravel.
As a post-mortem, this story is a sobering lesson in understanding where you do business, not just how.
8. I Built a Multi-Million Naira Food Business. Now Everyone Thinks It’s Their Money Too
Financial success in Nigeria often comes with consequences, especially in a deeply communal society.
Amina* built a thriving food business from her days as a broke university student, eventually earning hundreds of millions in revenue. It also put a target on her back, particularly among people closest to her.
Bonus article: If you need a definitive read on black tax, entitlement, and their emotional toll, Bolu’s reporting here delivers.
9. 10 Investment Apps Nigerians Are Using to Build Wealth in 2025
As more Nigerians look to invest, attention is shifting to apps that lower the entry barrier. This list breaks down the most popular options, what they offer, and why they matter.
10. What Is a Comfortable Salary in Lagos?
Everyone has a number.
But what does “comfortable” actually mean in Lagos — a city defined by high costs and relentless pace? We ran the numbers and explored what it really takes to live well in Nigeria’s economic capital.
Happy holidays, folks. See you in January 2026.
Also Read: #NairaLife: 10 of the Most-Read Stories of 2025
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