piggyvest | Zikoko!

We just premiered the first episode of Zikoko’s HER docu-series, featuring Ibukun “IBK” Akinola, the quietly powerful Payments Director at PiggyVest. If you need motivation or just want a quick glimpse of what it’s about before committing yourself to the episode, watch the trailer here.

To whet your appetite, here are a few things we found fascinating about the woman who’s earned the trust of millions of Nigerians, without ever needing the spotlight.

^{Ibukun Akinola and Her Parents}

Ibukun’s people and money management skills are probably generational

Both her parents have backgrounds in finance, and she followed in their footsteps by studying Accounting at Covenant University (yes, she’s an Eagle). She topped that off with a Master’s degree in International Business from Coventry University.

PiggyTech, the money-moving machine, wasn’t her first start-up rodeo

After completing her Master’s degree in 2013, she moved back to Nigeria and started a few businesses with her brother, Ayo Akinola, and their friends, Somto Ifezue, Odunayo Eweniyi, and Joshua Chibueze. These brilliant minds went on to build platforms like PUSH CV and 500 Dishes. With the support of mentors like Olumide Soyombo, they kept pushing till they made it.

^{Ibukun ‘IBK’ Akinola}

As PiggyVest’s Payments Director, Ibukun Akinola understands the weight of her responsibility and power

She describes herself as the person responsible for collecting your money and giving it back to you. She regularly speaks to about 700 processors to ensure Nigerians don’t take the company to the streets of Twitter. Beyond this, she’s incredibly proud of the milestones PiggyVest helps customers reach, and how it’s shaping Nigeria’s saving and spending culture on a larger scale.

Her friends describe her as “scarily intentional and fiercely loyal”

Ibukun says she’s one of the luckiest people alive, thanks to the community she’s built. To her friends and family: if you’re reading this and you haven’t watched the episode yet, know that Ibukun loves you very much and says she couldn’t do life without you.

Ibukun Akinola steadies herself by being on the move

Whether it’s tennis, running, or taking long walks, Ibukun processes life, work, friends, and family through these movements. They also act as moments of solitude for her, where she connects with herself and her faith. So, what’s next? For now, she’s focused on living in the moment and getting it right. What she’s most interested in is finding balance in the sweet middle of life. Whether it’s in her faith, her work, and her friendships. She’s searching for the sweet spot right in the middle, where everything just feels sweet.

Watch the full episode below and tell us something we haven’t already told you.

ALSO READ: The Elevator: I Didn’t Know What a Startup Was 8 Years Ago – Odun Eweniyi

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If there is anything Nigerian babes have learned from politicians, it is how to hide their wealth. You will be dating a Nigerian babe and thinking you are both hustlers until a strong wind blows and you realise that Dangote is taking lessons from her.

Never again, kings. Here are 12 ways to know your girlfriend is a rich woman.

1. She has a PiggyVest app.

She’ll probably lie that she has no money there. Isn’t that all women do? They lie. But ask her to show you her Safe Lock. That’s how you’ll know your babe is competing with Jeff Bezos, Forbes just never sabi her.

2. Ask her how much her nail tech charges.

12-15k
It’s once in a while so it’s pretty decent to me.
— IBIFUBARA (@IB_DAVIES) March 10, 2021

I can assure you, she spends nothing less than 5k. Here’s further proof.

I did my nail at a new place today and it was 8k cheaper than my regular nail tech,🌚 however the quality isn’t the same, it close but definitely not as perfect as it would have been😕
— Dam Dam 🧡 (@Dammieelle) February 22, 2021

3. If she has up to 3 wigs, even Elon Musk fears her.

Guy, do you know how much one quality wig costs? Just one oh, let alone three or whatever number she has.

4. She has either of these shoes in her collection.

If she has both of them, please this is how you should be greeting her everyday:

Tuale Mama! Two hands for one person. No more tuale double puate!

That woman can help your destiny oh.

5. She owns at least 1 dress from an online vendor.

Calculate cost of fabric, sewing, delivery and other logistics of one dress. Now multiply it with the number of dresses she has bought from an online vendor. Do the maths, I dare you.

6. She goes out to eat creamy pasta at least two times a week.

Creamy pasta that you usually budget before you eat, that’s what your Nigerian girlfriend is consuming like water. Hmm.

7. She knows the meaning of these two logos.

Or she has them on her phone. You are dating a pocket-size Folorunsho Alakija. You better hold her tight.

8. They know her at Keje Grills.

Abuja babes, fall out!

9. She has never asked you for money.

Do you need further proof that your Nigerian girlfriend is a silent millionaire?

10. She has asked you for money.

That’s the thing with those rich babes. Them no dey ever like to spend their own money. Besides, if she does not ask you for money, how will you know she’s rich?

11. She and her friends have ‘brunch’ days, and it looks like this.

Actions speak louder than words oh.

12. She is planning to wear Deola Sagoe on her wedding day.

I don’t want to wear Deola Sagoe for just my wedding. I want to wear her pieces whenever I want to. An icon.
— the pressure (@larabillionaire) October 23, 2019

Go and ask how much Deola Sagoe is and come back to read this post again.

QUIZ: How Rich Is Your Soulmate?

Ibukun’s people and money management skills are probably generational

PiggyTech, the money-moving machine, wasn’t her first start-up rodeo

As PiggyVest’s Payments Director, Ibukun Akinola understands the weight of her responsibility and power

Her friends describe her as “scarily intentional and fiercely loyal”

Ibukun Akinola steadies herself by being on the move

1. She has a PiggyVest app.

2. Ask her how much her nail tech charges.

3. If she has up to 3 wigs, even Elon Musk fears her.

4. She has either of these shoes in her collection.

5. She owns at least 1 dress from an online vendor.

6. She goes out to eat creamy pasta at least two times a week.

7. She knows the meaning of these two logos.

8. They know her at Keje Grills.

9. She has never asked you for money.

10. She has asked you for money.

11. She and her friends have ‘brunch’ days, and it looks like this.

12. She is planning to wear Deola Sagoe on her wedding day.

QUIZ: How Rich Is Your Soulmate?