Quizzes

Stacks

Shows

Podcasts

Newsletters

Naira Life

Love Life

Hustleprint

Love Currency

Sunken Ships

What She Said

My Bro

So You Don’t Have To

Interview With…

Zikoko Memes

Jollof Road

Cholera Outbreak Update

Follow our socials

  • At 35, *Juliana earns close to ₦4.5m monthly working remotely for a US-based development finance organisation. But her career started far from global development or tech. 

    After graduating with an economics degree from UNILAG, she spent a decade climbing the corporate ladder in a Nigerian bank, rising from intern to managerial level and increasing her salary nearly 10x in the process.

    Her edge? Building strategic relationships, taking challenging roles, and collaborating where possible. Here’s how she navigated banking, pivoted into product, and found her niche in development finance.

    This is Juliana’s story as told to Aisha Bello.

    I never planned to work in banking or finance; I studied economics as a means to an end. I had been in the technical sciences in secondary school and wanted to study chemical engineering.

    But when I wrote WAEC, I realised I didn’t like chemistry. I enjoyed maths, though. So I needed something close enough, but I didn’t like commercial courses. 

    Economics felt like a middle ground: the right blend of logic and people.

    In 2008, I got into the University of Lagos to study economics. During my third year, I interned at a Nigerian bank, and that experience changed everything. I was paid ₦22,500 monthly for my three-month internship in the strategy department.

    I know this sounds odd, but I didn’t fall in love with just the work; I was also drawn to the female bankers’ looks: sharp suits, pointy heels and an aura of control. I wanted to work wherever people dressed like that.

    Getting My First Bank Job Before NYSC Ended

    I come from a middle-income family. My dad worked in marketing, and my mum ran a bank’s food canteen. She helped me land that internship in 2011. Interning at a bank was fairly common back then, and building a network came naturally because I had already been in the system.

    I graduated in 2012 and secured a job at the same bank before my service year ended in October 2013.  I resumed at the bank’s training school that November. I was 23 years old.

    Join 1,000+ Nigerians, finance experts and industry leaders at The Naira Life Conference by Zikoko for a day of real, raw conversations about money and financial freedom. Click here to buy a ticket and secure your spot at the money event of the year, where you’ll get the practical tools to 10x your income, network with the biggest players in your industry, and level up in your career and business.

    My Salary Progression in 10 Years

    The training school lasted four months, and I was paid a ₦85k/month stipend. When I resumed as a full-time graduate trainee in 2014, my salary was bumped to ₦130k/month. Three months later, it was reviewed to ₦150k. I’d spend the next decade rotating departments at the same bank.

    My first manager was very demanding. I thought she was too much, but in hindsight, she really shaped my work ethic. I always showed up prepared because I didn’t want to be called out, and that discipline stuck with me.

    Because I was in the top 5 during training school, I was placed in an accelerated graduate associate program that allowed me to move from Level 1 to Level 3 in two years. I rotated across departments, gained broad exposure, and was promoted directly from graduate trainee to banking officer in 2016, skipping the Assistant Banking Officer level. My salary went from ₦150k to ₦250k. It was an intense two years, but it accelerated my career path.

    In 2018, I was promoted to Senior Banking Officer and moved from retail to the corporate banking unit, where I earned ₦450k/month. I was in this role for four years, and my salary increased significantly. 

    In 2020, I was earning ₦600k. By 2021, it had climbed to ₦800k. When I got promoted to Assistant Manager in 2022, my salary jumped to ₦1.5m/month. Every promotion came with a salary bump. We also had regular salary reviews and year-end bonuses, depending on how well the department performed and met targets.

    I moved units in 2022 and stayed in the last role for only five months before I left in 2023.

    Here’s a Snapshot of My Salary Progression

    How I Grew Fast in My Career

    I earned four promotions in 10 years because my manager knew I always delivered. I consistently took on more responsibility, which got me advocates: people who spoke for me when I wasn’t in the room. In banking, that’s how you grow: results and the right people backing you. You need both to grow in the corporate world.

    I also collaborated a lot. If I didn’t know something, I’d ask for help. As I got better, I also shared knowledge. That built credibility and trust, which, once established, opened doors.

    What Kept Me in Banking for a Whole Decade

    One of the reasons I stayed 10 years was how well compensated I was. One of the perks of being a banker is access to finance. We got credit facilities at favourable rates, so I got my first car in my second year and paid it off over time. With proper planning, I could also afford one international trip a year.

    In 2014, I spent Christmas in East Africa, and in 2015, I spent it in Dubai. I remember I paid  ₦150k for my round-trip ticket to Dubai.

    I didn’t see any point in moving to another bank. Banking is banking. The primary reason to move was for growth, and I was growing just fine. But eventually, I grew weary of the routine, and the work started to feel monotonous.

    Why I Left Banking in 2023

    By 2021, I knew I was done with banking. I needed a new challenge and considered several tech-related jobs I could transition to. I listed my strengths and took a tech transition course, which helped me gain clarity on the next steps.

    First, I transitioned within the bank, from corporate banking to the product unit, where I managed banking products for financial institutions. 

    I worked with the banking-as-a-service product team that partnered with fintechs and microfinance banks to leverage the bank’s infrastructure. Instead of building their systems from scratch, they used our APIs to create virtual accounts, move money, and offer financial services under their own brand. We managed the backend operations, and they focused on serving their customers.

    I did that for five months. 

    I’d already been working remotely at the bank since COVID, so I focused on remote roles when I felt ready to make the leap. 

    I searched on LinkedIn and other remote job boards for over a year before landing a role as a project coordinator for a US-based development finance organisation working on different programs across Africa.

    What I Do Now and How Much I Earn

    I work with their implementation team, ensuring that every project is executed seamlessly, on time, and in line with agreed deliverables.

    For over two years now, I’ve been working remotely for the development finance organisation. I earn in USD, but my net income is between ₦4 million and ₦4.5 million monthly, depending on the exchange rate.

    I’m married, so I don’t handle all expenses alone, and I can afford to save up to 50% of my salary. 

    What’s Next for Me

    The past few years have been my building years, and I finally feel like I’ve found my niche in development finance. It’s a vast and deeply impactful space, and I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon. The goal is simple: build expertise, earn trust, and carve a name for myself here. 

    Editor’s Note: Names have been changed for anonymity

    Get More Zikoko Goodness in Your Mail

    Subscribe to our newsletters and never miss any of the action

    [ad]

  • Put a finger down if you don’t joke with your bank account and would literally spiral if you smell any funny business around it. If your finger is down, the update in this article is for you.

    You know how you gently drop “it can never be me” when someone comes on X to scream about money that has suddenly disappeared from their bank account? The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is saying it could be you like mad.

    What’s going on?

    On Monday, December 9, the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) at NITDA released a public advisory warning Nigerians of the new version of a banking malware called Grandoreiro which has been stealing sensitive information such as banking credentials and personal data from users worldwide.

    How can Grandoreiro steal from you?

    NITDA says the malware steals from users through complex phishing schemes (like emails and fake websites) that trick them into downloading harmful software, posing as important updates or documents.

    Once the malware is installed on users’ systems, it bypasses security controls and gives it access to users’ devices. This means that the malware can intercept or bypass the usual Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) methods, like One-Time Passwords (OTP), usually put in place by banking institutions to steal from users.

    In what specific ways can Grandoreiro harm you?

    1. It can bypass your system and enable unauthorised banking transactions
    2. It can steal your identity
    3. It can exploit you by taking control of your devices and bypassing security measures.

    How can you safeguard your devices against Grandoreiro?

    To protect your devices from the malware, NITDA strongly advises that you do the following:

    1. Avoid links and attachments from unfamiliar email addresses
    2. Do not download software from untrusted sources
    3. Enable Multiple Factor Authentification (MFA) on your online banking accounts to protect them
    4. Do not use public WIFI to make financial transactions. If you must, be sure to use a VPN
    5. Monitor your bank accounts closely and often in order to flag unusual activities or transitions
    6. Make sure that the antivirus software in your devices is always updated

    In the case of suspicious activities, contact the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) at NITDA either through their email address (cerrt@nitda.gov.ng ), their phone number (+2348178774580), or website.

  • Navigating life as a woman in the world today is interesting. From Nigeria to Timbuktu, it’ll amaze you how similar all our experiences are. Every Wednesday, women the world over will share their experiences on everything from sex to politics right here. 

    Photo by Rico Lo

    This week’s #ZikokoWhatSheSaid subject is a 26-year-old Nigerian woman. She talks about annual promotions at her banking job, finding fulfillment in black tax and how the Lagos nightlife helped her find herself. 

    What makes you happy right now?

    The pace at which my life is going. I feel fulfilled that I can provide for my family and dependents and afford what’s important to me. My career and financial growth make me so happy. 

    And finding someone who actually makes me orgasm literally fulfills me.

    It does? How?

    Apart from the feel-good hormones that come with getting an orgasm, finding someone who focuses on finding your G Spot during sex is underrated. You know how they say it boosts your self confidence and makes you glow. It’s not a lie o.

    Can you tell me about your career growth?

    I joined a bank as a contract receptionist in 2018. I would say that’s the bottom tier of a banking career. We were six in a team at the head office, and we rotated between the front desk and the switchboard upstairs. 

    It was important for me to stand out and be noticed, so I talked my teammates into doing things like daily colour coordination. I made the most of the position, maintaining a pleasant attitude to visitors every day because I understood that as receptionists, we were the first ambassadors of the bank.

    I’ve always wondered how receptionists of big companies stay pleasant

    We dealt with irate, frustrated customers coming from the branches — rude people who can’t even talk to me outside, but because I’m a receptionist, they think they can intimidate me to get access to the bank’s executive director. 

    We couldn’t just let them into the back office, so we had to figure out ways to diffuse such situations every day. It took great skill to stay pleasant, but I was always smiling — ask anyone. But I was soon tired of the role since I didn’t get a degree in finance to be a receptionist.

    Of course. What did you do about it?

    After about a year, I said to myself, “I think it’s enough”. But most of the people I worked with kept telling me how hard it was to be converted to a full staff of the bank: there’s only one conversion exam per year; it’s highly competitive because every bank contract staff in the country takes it; they only select a small number of people to enter the graduate training school. 

    They just gave me a bunch of reasons why I shouldn’t bother. But I just knew I had to try, so I found out how to make sure my chances of selection were high. I started learning about products, studying hard and worked to get a product officer role two months before the conversion process started. 

    I took the first exam in my 18th month as a contract staff and passed on the first try.

    USEFUL INFORMATION: 7 Ways To Make Bank Workers Fear You

    Wow. You must’ve been thrilled

    I was. But the same co-workers told me, “Everybody passes this first stage. The second stage is the problem”. I said okay. Then I passed the second exam, and they were like “Not bad”. And I aced the third stage. 

    I just knew I had to get picked, so I spoke to the few people who’d passed the different phases to get the exact knowledge I needed to make sure I was very prepared. The final stage came, and out of about 2000 contract staff who started the process, only 15 were selected. I was one of them. I became a full staff of the bank in 2020.

    Congratulations. What was your new role?

    Product officer for business banking. I did that till 2021 when my role switched to product manager, business banking. Earlier this year [2022], they promoted me again within the same role. But I now supervise four junior staff and report directly to the head of business banking who reports to the MD. 

    Every year since I started my career in 2018, I’ve gotten a promotion. I know what I was earning then, and compared to now — I’ve been able to move from my parents’ house in Ikorodu to Lekki and buy a new car. I’m independent, and I even have dependents now.

    But how do you feel about the black tax?

    It doesn’t stress me. Remember I said it’s part of what makes me feel fulfilled? And I’m the last born so the burden of taking care of my family isn’t solely on me. But you know when your mom calls to ask for something, and you can afford it? It’s just a flex.

    Apart from my parents and members of my extended family, you know, it’s Lagos now. If anyone sees you’re remotely doing well, they’ll keep asking for help like you don’t have problems. I kind of understand, so it’s no big deal.

    But don’t get me wrong. I prioritise my mental health more than anything, so if there’s any need I can’t afford, I won’t kill myself. If they don’t understand, LOL.

    What was your office naysayers’ reaction to your conversion?

    At the head office that year, only me and one other lady (who has even japa-ed now) were selected. I remember the day I got the email. I’d gone out for lunch, and when I came back to the office, the other staff had already found out they didn’t get in. I went to my seat to check my email, and I screamed. They were all happy for me actually. 

    Oh

    Most of them have been converted now. They thought if this party girl who was just a receptionist and doesn’t take things too seriously could pass the stages, maybe they were wrong about their chances. My success motivated them. 

    Someone who’d already passed the age limit got converted some time later because she moved to another role and department to justify her conversion. I’d done the same thing to increase my chances, so I just know she was following in my footsteps.

    Actually, how are you a laid-back party girl and still passing competitive exams on the first try? 

    I do take things seriously; the laid-back thing is just a facade. 

    But they see my growth and performance at work now, and it has totally changed their perspective of me. I mean, my co-workers come to me for help with tasks. I’ve started to show off more of my work life and serious side outside work too. I guess you could say I’m now an adult. 

    Funny enough, whenever I have personal encounters with people from work, they’re always like, “Damn. You’re actually a genius” or “You’re so smart”. I know what I want, and I go for it. And I’ve always wanted to be successful and financially independent.

    RELATED: #NairaLife: How Did She Grow Her Income By 400% In 2 Years? Networking

    Right

    Last year, I set up a business, letting out short-let apartments for property agents based on my experience working at a real estate company during NYSC. As a sub-agent — with the kind of network I’ve built at the bank and as a party girl — at least once a month, someone needs a three-bedroom flat for up to two weeks, and I make some cool cash. I mean, life is good.

    God, when? Let’s talk about the party girl life

    I enjoy clubbing — meeting new people, socialising — it eases my stress, and the connections I make help me do a lot of business.

    Funny enough, growing up, I was an introvert. I would just stay home, reading novels and watching High School Musicals or princess movies. I loved fairy tales, so I was always living in my head, daydreaming at home about when my Prince Charming would come and carry me.

    Interesting. When did things change?

    I got into university in 2011. I was like 15, pretty young, and I was a nerd initially. Then 200 level came. My roommates liked going out, so I would just watch them. They liked to turn up and a lot of guys liked them. You know how all my daydreams were about Prince Charming? At the time, my goal was to get a sweet boyfriend and live happily ever after. My whole thought process was that to achieve this, I had to be a party girl. 

    Sounds like tight logic. How did that work out?

    I don’t know about getting a boyfriend. But in 300 level, my roommate was a girl who did PR for Club 57, inviting girls to the club to attract guys who would buy drinks. The first night I followed her out, she made me up and helped put together my outfit because I was such a dead babe at the time. 

    When we got to the club, I had so much fun and was just a different person, getting so much attention. I was insecure about my body because I have big boobs. But when I dressed up at night, I always looked and felt so good. I enjoyed the attention I got from the guys at the club. I enjoyed returning to the hostel to gist about everything with my friends and roommates.

    What was the club scene like?

    The whole experience was so new and exciting for me. This was in 2014. We used to go every Thursday night for “We own Thursday nights” [W.O.T.N.]. I started meeting people and making lots of friends and connections with fellow regulars. I’m a Leo, so I just loved the attention I got. When they see this tall, busty, melanin-popping beauty, heads must turn. 

    But I was such a novice that I didn’t know anything happened in clubs beyond talking, dancing and drinking. By my final year, we were doing club tours. We sha toured every popular club in Lagos that year. And after graduation, while I was waiting for NYSC’s call-up letter, I got my own PR job at Escape Nightclub. 

    How did that happen?

    One night at Escape, a guy who was doing PR for them asked me to join his team since he knew me and I knew so many people. I was already helping my former roommate, the Club 57 PR person, so it made sense to do it officially.

    BY THE WAY: POV: You’re the Girlfriend of Someone Who Parties For a Living

    Did it work out?

    I joined Escape in 2015 when they were introducing their Wednesday nights. Luckily for me, my first night, I invited a girl whose friend was celebrating her birthday, so all her friends came to celebrate with her. They ended up filling two tables. 

    On top of that, I’d been building a network, touring clubs, and I hadn’t yet taken advantage of it. So when I called people for that first night, they turned up. I drew so many people they had to introduce me to the owner, who gave me a full job. I started earning a salary and a 10% commission on the drinks purchased. 

    Baller!

    Yes o. But it was only then I discovered that other things happen in clubs; things like hookups and runs. 

    One night, I invited girls out, and the PR for guys said I should bring them to the middle table where his guys were, which was basically the VIP table. I was there forming morals like, “No. Why can’t the guys come over and talk to the girls?” The PR guy just said, “What’s wrong with this one?” hissed and went to another PR. 

    Later, the girls came to meet me, asking to go to the same middle table. In under an hour, some of them had found their own way to that table, and they didn’t follow the cabs we’d arranged to take them back to their hostels. 

    Weren’t you worried about them?

    No. Everyone was having fun. Girls were killing themselves to get into Escape. The work was a blast for me because it was the biggest club that year.

    There was this guy who was a proper baller when I was in school. He had a car and used to carry fine girls around. One day, he came to Escape, and they bounced him. I was about to enter when he saw and greeted me. I told the bouncer, “He’s with me. Let him in”. As the guy entered, he said, “So it’s you that’s bringing me inside club now”. 

    It killed me because Escape used to bounce people a lot. It was mad that I could get someone like him in.

    Mad. But you still didn’t find Prince Charming and your happily ever after?

    Dating in Lagos, as we all know, is tough. Lemme walk you through my journey: you meet someone, y’all vibe, get to know each other, have a couple of amazing dates and match energies. I mean, the attraction is there, and everything seems intact. 

    Then boom, the honeymoon phase is over, and the true colors are revealed. It’s either you’re ghosted or you’re the ghost. But basically, it’s over, and the cycle continues. It’s exhausting, abeg. 

    I’m still looking for “The One”, and I’m certain I’ll find him soon. I just need to be ready for him, so I’ve learnt to work on being the best version of myself.

    How did you become both a career and a party girl?

    Well, I went for NYSC in 2016, and I’ve been working on my finance career non-stop since. It’s been hard mixing it with the PR lifestyle, and I mean, I’m older now. But lowkey, COVID was a blessing because I have a work-life balance working hybrid. Being able to work and party and not be so overwhelmed is a blessing.

    Many people cut out clubbing once they start the career struggle. Why have you decided to hang on to it?

    Clubbing helped me realise I enjoy meeting and engaging new people, having conversations, going out and having fun. I mean, this life is short o, so let’s just enjoy ourselves while we’re in it.

    For more stories like this, check out our #WhatSheSaid and for more women like content, click here

    THANK YOU, NEXT: What She Said: I Need to Write to Be Alive

  • Many Nigerians are in a complicated relationship with their banks. This wouldn’t be the case if they’d just do some things we secretly wish for. But they’re not ready for this conversation.

    Maybe in the afterlife.

    1. Put beds at ATM stands

    Yes. To recover from those never-moving queues and reduce all the “I’m behind” you wahala.

    2. Share food when we
    open new accounts

    It’s not only in church that they should be doing first timer nau. Is it not when you eat well, you can work to save money? Biko, a plate of Jollof isn’t too much to ask for.

    3. Send funds

    See ehn, this one will slap. Especially in those times when your account is already glowing red and your enemies are waiting to laugh at you.

    4. Send us gifts on our birthdays

    Instead of SMSes, we could really do with some customer appreciation gift. If delivery is too much of a bother, we can do pick-up, no problem.

    5. Giveaways

    Christmas, giveaway. New Year, giveaway. Valentine’s Day nko? Giveaway to profess their love. This is how to make sure you ride with them for life.

    6. Deduct SMS charges only once a year

    On top of all the debit alerts you have to deal with, at the end of the month you’ll still see SMS charges. E choke oh. Once a year will do, or eliminate it, pata-pata. T for tenks.

    7. Come to our houses

    The motto is simple: If the customer won’t come to the bank, let the bank go to the customer. Why should you allow sun to play dangerous games with your forehead, when you can simply be attended to from the comfort of your house?

    8. Automate more processes

    In this time and Age, we shouldn’t be queuing physically at the bank to get basic things like changing phone numbers or opening a new account done. *Screams silently at the absurdity.*

  • Every week, Zikoko seeks to understand how people move the Naira in and out of their lives. Some stories will be struggle-ish, others will be bougie. All the time, it’ll be revealing.

    The subject of today’s story is an IT expert with a special focus on the financial sector.

    What was it like growing up? 

    Someone once said this about me while I was in school: “Is it not that girl that used to act as if her father has all the money in the world?”

    Sounds silly, but this is how I can describe my dad while I was growing up; he always provided everything we needed. 

    One day, I overheard a neighbour arguing with his wife and he said, “Where was your father when I was sending you to school?” And I just knew that I never wanted to be in that place that she was. I’d rather just stay in my lane, and not collect insults. 

    You know, my dad has one of those large families where you’re responsible for your siblings, nephews and nieces. But still, whenever we needed something, he always came through.

    What was the first thing you ever did for money? 

    I dunno if this counts, but I was one of those people that their state governments sent on a scholarship to go to school abroad. I also got a stipend of a few hundred dollars per month – can’t remember the exact number now. My dad also sent some money every other month. 

    But what I’d consider my first real income was my NYSC allowee in late 2013, ₦19,800. My dad also cut me off from pocket money from his end. But my mum started giving me ₦5,000 monthly from her tiny salary – she was a teacher. 

    Then I had my ₦5,000 from the state government.

    After NYSC?

    Ah, I was waiting for my daddy’s connections to get a job. Well, I waited for four months. 

    Ouch.  

    Staying at home sucks. One time, I lied to my dad that I was travelling for a job interview, but I actually went to my sister’s school to stay in her hostel for a few days.

    Then one day, someone asked for my CV. 

    Progress. Where? 

    A bank. I got a call one day and fast forward to one month, I was starting as a contract staff. We got started on ₦80k/month, while a normal staff was earning ₦142k. I think contract staff are the banks’ way of saving costs. 

    You know what’s wild? I didn’t want to go for the interview. I thought I wasn’t good enough. It’s the same thing with the scholarship exam. I just felt I wasn’t good enough until my sister kicked me out of the house to go take the test. 

    At the end of the interview and training at the bank, I was the best in my batch, so I had the privilege to choose any department I liked. 

    I chose the IT department, of course.

    So, you had to move to a new city to take this job?

    Yes. I used to live outside Lagos. Moving to Lagos was hard, financially. But my dad took care of my first rent and I had my ₦80k to live with. You know, my glasses got bad in those days and I couldn’t afford to fix it. I couldn’t afford brand new clothes, so I’d go to the market to buy secondhand clothes and ₦1k dresses. I used to be scared of going to markets then, but I had no choice really. 

    I found solace in the promise that we were going to have our appraisals and salary reviews after one year. Over one year later, it didn’t happen. 

    Why? 

    By August, my dad said, “You are a first-class, international graduate and you shouldn’t be earning ₦80k.” He was hustling a lecturing job for me that would have paid more, and we actually fought about it, but I just knew I needed to be away from them. 

    We had a town hall at work, and when it was question time, I raised my hand to ask why our salary had not been reviewed months after it was supposed to. The whole discontent at the time forced me to start thinking about my options. I started studying the bank’s pay structure, and I realised that if I stuck to their growth patterns, it’d take me about a decade for me to get to about 300k+ per month. 

    This is super interesting.

    Nothing was making sense to me anymore. But a few weeks after that townhall, our salaries were reviewed and we were upgraded to full-time staff. I got upgraded to ₦142k. Then I went to buy something. 

    Ohooo. 

    I went to buy hair. That cost me ₦45k, but I paid in instalments. This was towards the end of 2016, by the way. In mid-2017, I got a message: 

    Person: Hey you, are you interested in moving? 

    Me: But of course!

    I got called for an interview. They liked my CV, and I got offered a job. I suck at negotiating, so they offered me ₦217k. Also, at the time, that felt like a lot of money. 

    How did that go? 

    It didn’t feel like a good call, but I think leaving the bank had to happen, because it pushed me to grow, and in a way, leave my place of safety. But you see that place? It was shitty and toxic.

    Also, every month, they’d split the salary into two. Then pay you the other half as a lump sum at the end of the quarter – I think it was to beat tax. So while I was earning more than I was at the bank, it felt more difficult. I stayed there for three months. 

    Where did you go? 

    So, while I was working at the bank, I had someone who I might call a work big sister. She just hit me up one day, while I was still at the bank: 

    Big sis: How much do you earn now? 

    Me: 142k

    Big sis: I’ll be in touch. 

    So, while I was at this place, she reached out and did the interview and bam. I got the job. That bam was months of uncertainties and “we’ll be in touch” etc. 

    Awesome. Awesome. 

    HR offered me ₦250k. I asked for a review, and eventually, it went up to ₦275k. I took the offer mostly because someone I respected and learned a lot from was going to be my boss again. 

    Was there a probation period? 

    Yes yes. And six months later, I got a message saying my performance had been reviewed, and now my salary was increased to ₦350k. By the end of 2018, up again to ₦402k. And then a shocker: towards the end of the 2019, I got a raise to ₦600k. 

    I heard the sound of sirens in my head now. 

    Hahaha. But as my money increased, I felt more responsible with family and stepped up. I got a loan from work to get a place in Lagos. So even though my salary was increased, part of it had to go to repaying the loan. A few months into living at the house I got, I was going crazy. 

    Why?

    Traffic. It was killing me so much that I literally abandoned the house. I took another loan, this time outside work, and rented another place. By the end of 2018, I took another loan. Also, I feel like I was living from paycheck to paycheck, and saving was just hard. 

    Then a friend of mine linked me up to a gig where they needed an I.T. person. It was abroad, and that paid $250 weekly. 

    Weekly money is good. 

    This one started in July 2019. This reduced a lot of my loan burdens. By December of 2019, I became debt-free. 

    It’s crazy, because in 2015, just about four years ago, you were on ₦1k dresses. How you see life? 

    Ahhh, I’ve grown. The day I knew I’ve grown was one time when I went out for dinner, and when my bill came, it was slightly over 10k. I just pulled out my card and paid.
    And I realised oh shit, I couldn’t have done this in 2015. But, I can do that now! I just got a hold of my finances, and I don’t know how my dad managed to have all that responsibility with how much he earned. He used to earn about 600k, but that dropped to about 300k, and somehow he still manages to have all the responsibilities that he currently has.

    I stan. Let’s look at everything you netted in December 2019. 

    First, there’s my ₦600k salary. Then my 13th month; 650k. Then my $250 per week, which brought everything to about ₦1.6 million. 

    Now that we’ve established that, let us talk about your Detty December. 

    Hahaha. First of all, I cleared all my debts. All my outstanding debts were almost ₦400k. Then I did a two-night staycation; ₦80-something-k. I moved 500k to my savings. Send ₦60k to my siblings in total, as per December. 

    Then I kept ₦262k aside to survive the 100 days of January. 

    That’s almost 1.5 million.

    I’ve just been buying food anyhow. Today now, I just branched somewhere and ended up buying food and juice and all that for 15k. Don’t ask me about the rest. 

    What’s something you want but can’t afford? 

    A holiday to say, Bali. I feel like I can’t afford it because I always have to go back to my savings to make big expenses like this. 

    What’s the last thing you paid for that required serious planning? 

    It was a work trip that I didn’t have to pay for. But something else happened; I dipped into all my savings and spent everything buying gifts for my family, nuclear and extended. 

    You can tell me how much it is now. I’m holding on tightly so I don’t fall down. 

    Hahaha. About a million. The first child of a Nigerian family for me means buying gifts for everybody when you travel. So shoes, bags, clothes. Add my excess luggage money to that money. 

    Talking about buying things, what about yourself?

    Ohhh, I’m a big spender on gadgets. I must – must use the latest iPhone at every point in time. Also, I like shoes a lot.

    And hair. 

    What’s your biggest financial regret of 2019? 

    I couldn’t save more. And that’s mostly because I bought a lot of shoes, and then I added weight. That meant that I had to buy new clothes. A lot of new clothes. And of course, I was no longer buying the ₦1k dresses, so that means I spent more. My average dress now costs ₦7k or so. The other time, I went to a store and bought a dress for ₦25k. 

    Let’s attempt to rate your financial happiness on a scale of 1-10.

    I’m a 7. For someone who coasts through life, I feel extremely lucky and it just feels like God’s grace. I can’t discount the fact that I’m a hard worker though.

    Despite the fact that I feel lucky, I need to get to a point where my money starts to work for me. Can’t be dipping into savings every time I want to buy basic things.

    Check back every Monday at 9 am (WAT) for a peek into the Naira Life of everyday people.
    But, if you want to get the next story before everyone else, with extra sauce and ‘deleted scenes’, subscribe below. It only takes a minute.

    Sign me up!

    Every story in this series can be found here.

  • The BVN registration deadline has passed. As usual, Nigerians have ended up with tales of woe from all angles “It’s not our fault, it’s the situation in the country.” Let’s tell you how you got to this position…

    1. You first heard about BVN…

    Everyday, everyday, register for something.

    2. When you knew you were broke and wondered what the point of BVN was.

    Please what other transaction can I do from here? What kind of life is this please?

    3. When that teller asked you “Have you done your BVN?”

    But if you mind your business, will you die?

    4. Then you went to the bank to beat the first deadline…

    As per LastMinute dotcom.  Wait, is the whole of Nigeria here? I can’t deal abeg.

    5. Before they postponed it.

    Of course they did… as per Naija!

    6. So you went back to ignoring your bank.

    *Marked as spam*

    7. Until the guy who owed you money came to pay you back.

    Praise Da Living Jesus!

    8. And you had to rush to do your BVN.

    I’m next on the queue please! My friend, answer me now!

    9. But somehow, your account still got deactivated.

    Chei! I have no luck. But don’t worry, you’ll enter another queue, sort yourself out and be alright.