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  • 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

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  • Money can be a sensitive topic in relationships, and Hannah* understands that now. She talks about how being the rich friend has affected her long-term friendship group and why she wishes she had kept her salary a secret.  

    As told to Boluwatife

    The friendship I share with my two best friends has been the single most consistent thing in my life for the past 12 years. Now, it looks like money is changing that, and I don’t know how to feel.

    I met my friends Christie* and Mary* in 2012. We’d all just resumed SS 1 and found each other in the same class. I knew Mary from a distance because she lived on my street, but we had always attended different schools. So, I was glad to see a familiar face, and we soon started hanging out during break time. Christie was my seat partner, so she also tagged along. Before the end of the first term, we were a trio. 

    We became something like the “Queen Bees” of our school. Christie was the finest girl in our set, which did wonders for our popularity. The boys were always inviting us to hang out after school, and we, too, became experts in giving our mothers different excuses and lying that we were in each other’s houses so we could go out and do dumb teenager things. 

    One time, Christie’s mum caught us lying when she came to my house and found out that Christie wasn’t there like she’d claimed. I had to lie that she was in Mary’s house instead and literally ran all the way to Christie’s boyfriend’s house to get her since I didn’t have a phone. That was how far we went for each other.

    Our friendship grew stronger as the years passed, even though university admission came and sent us all to different schools. Our families still lived in the same area, so we always saw each other during the holidays. We also kept in touch with social media.

    We weathered everything together and told each other everything — whether it was boyfriend wahala or stupid crushes. We even talked about our money struggles and helped each other out when anyone was broke. I always imagined us growing to become the old mummies who wore matching outfits at owambes and followed each other everywhere. 

    But adulting came and changed things.

    I was the first to get a job after NYSC in 2022. The insurance firm I served at retained me and placed me on a ₦200k salary. I told my friends, and they were happy for me. Mary and Christie were still rounding up NYSC, and since neither had any income apart from the ₦33k NYSC stipend, I automatically became the person who paid for things when we went out. 

    I didn’t mind it. In fact, I started giving my friends money. I still lived with my parents and had no major responsibilities, so adopting gift-giving as a love language was easy. 

    My friends only had to complain about the slightest inconvenience, and I was throwing money at them. They often asked to borrow money, which I gave and never disturbed for repayment. Sometimes, they paid back. Other times, they didn’t.

    The loan requests reduced after Mary and Christie both got jobs in 2023, but I was still the higher earner, and it became an unwritten rule for me to always pay more whenever we had joint projects like surprise gifts and birthday celebrations for one of us. 

    Mary and Christie also rented an apartment together that same year. So, while I noticed I always paid more, I didn’t complain. They obviously had more responsibilities than me.

    I changed jobs early this year, and my salary has increased to ₦450k. My salary isn’t that much higher than my friends, who earn between ₦200k – ₦250k, but they treat me like I’m one rich woman.

    Whenever I complain about the rising cost of cabs and food, they laugh and say, “Rich woman like you?” Since my salary increase, I’ve tried to be more financially responsible by saving half of my salary and making better financial decisions, but my friends don’t understand.

    For instance, my friends and I have this weekly tradition of going out to a restaurant every Saturday to eat brunch. We’re supposed to rotate the bill payment, but I usually end up paying three out of four times. That usually gulps between ₦30k – ₦50k weekly.

    Some months ago, I suggested reducing the brunch dates to once monthly because of the financial implications, but Christie made it seem like I didn’t see our friendship as a priority. She was like, if I was trying to find a way to save money, why didn’t I consider cutting my cab costs and dry cleaning budget — They know I send my clothes to the dry cleaners every week. 

    But it’s not even the same. Laundry and transportation are necessities that make my life easier and more productive. We can survive without eating out every Saturday. 

    Mary recently asked for a ₦100k loan, but I told her I could only afford to lend her ₦50k. She asked me why, and I told her my money was tied up in savings. I think she got angry because she asked me not to worry about the loan again.

    To be honest, I don’t think I should’ve had to explain why I couldn’t loan a certain amount. It wouldn’t have cost anything to lend her the full amount, but I know I most likely won’t get the money back, and I can’t build a reasonable financial future by continuing that way.

    It’s not like I’m hiding my new intentionality with money from my friends. I told them I wanted to reduce my spending, and they said it was a good idea. But I think they assume it shouldn’t extend to them. They can question me about buying ice cream or spending on cabs, but they turn around and still expect me to fund our outings.

    I actually regret telling them how much I earn. Maybe they’d have been more understanding if they didn’t know my income. Or maybe I introduced them to a lifestyle I couldn’t maintain by throwing money at them in the first place. 

    Now, I feel like we aren’t as close as before. It doesn’t help that Mary and Christie live together, so I feel like the odd one out. They now have inside jokes, and I have this weird feeling that they talk about me behind my back.

    I’ve talked to them a few times about how I feel like they treat me differently, and each time, they promise it’s not like that. But I still sense a divide. I can only hope that we don’t grow further apart.

    *Names have been changed for the sake of anonymity.

    NEXT READ:  I Catfished My Dad and Made Him Send Me Money for Weeks

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  • 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.

    Nairalife #252 Bio

    What’s your earliest memory of money?

    I always had home-cooked food for lunch throughout primary and secondary school, while my friends would get money to buy snacks or whatever they wanted. I grew up in a middle-class family, but I didn’t have direct access to money. It was like something only the adults in my family could have.

    How “middle-class” was your family?

    My dad worked in a bank, and my mum worked in an airline company, so the money was good. My mum had access to discounted tickets, so we flew for international holidays at least once yearly. We had three cars and lived in a ₦1m/month rented apartment. Our neighbourhood in Lagos Mainland was quite mixed; there were really comfortable people and people struggling to make ends meet. I think this mixed upbringing is why I don’t want obscene wealth today. I just want to be comfortable.

    My dad operated on the same values. He was an auditor, so he constantly drilled the “never steal money” lesson in me and my siblings’ heads. Even at work, he was a very “play by the rules” kind of person, which earned him some enemies. He lost his job to rightsizing in 2011 when I was in SS 2. My mum had quit her job a year earlier to focus on becoming an entrepreneur, so my dad losing his job changed some things at home.

    What were some of these changes?

    My dad’s work at the bank gave my mum access to loans for her business. She imported clothes from Turkey to sell at a mark-up. The loans allowed her to go on the trips and stock her three shops. Without his job, there were no more loans, so she had to downscale the business. 

    Our international holiday trips stopped, and there were no more random Chinese restaurant trips. We also never renewed our Ikoyi Club membership. Thankfully, my dad used the settlement he got from the bank to purchase a house in 2012, so we didn’t have to bother about rent. At some point, my dad did some consulting, but nothing steady.

    Do you remember the first thing you did to earn money?

    I got into the university to study pharmacy in 2013, and in my five years there, the only time I ever worked for money was during industrial training in my third year. The company paid me ₦15k after working for six weeks. I also got a ₦50k endowment allowance — given to first-class students — from school in my third and fourth years.

    I just wasn’t someone to carry work on my head. It helped that I schooled in Lagos, so I could always go home when I exhausted the ₦4k – ₦5k weekly allowance my parents gave me. It was around this time I realised that money can control you. I couldn’t break away from my parents because they were my primary source of money.

    After my project defence in December 2018, I started seeking to earn my own money. A school strike delayed my graduation and induction, but I eventually got a locum pharmacist job in March 2019 for ₦50k/month — ₦47k after deductions. 

    What were your expenses like?

    Transportation and food took all the money. I also occasionally contributed to expenses at home.

    I was still at the job when the induction ceremony for graduating pharmacy students finally happened in May 2019. The compulsory one-year internship for pharmacists came after. At first, I didn’t want to intern at a community pharmacy because they don’t pay well, so I targeted a hospital or government agency. 

    However, my search was unsuccessful, so I settled for a ₦90k/month internship at a community pharmacy in December 2019. After a month, a teaching hospital finally reached out to me, and I jumped at the ₦126k/month offer.

    A significant increase

    COVID made it even more significant. I don’t want the pandemic to return o, but I wouldn’t mind if we had something lockdown-ish again. It came with an increased hazard allowance for health workers, so I got an extra ₦30k for two months, and ₦50k in the third month.

    Although I didn’t get paid in the first month due to the normal government bureaucracy, I was paid two months’ salary in March. 

    So you were balling?

    I was, but I also spent most of what I earned paying back loans. 

    What loans?

    I first discovered mobile loan apps on social media while doing the ₦50k locum job. It started with just needing small change to sort something out before my salary dropped, but the interest rates are crazy, and you find that you’re paying back up to ₦12k on a ₦7k loan. When salary drops, you realise you need to top up because the repayment has eaten into your budget. It’s a vicious cycle that followed me into the internship. 

    When the double alert came, I paid off outstanding loans and took another one with a phone retailer that allows you to buy in installments. I got a Samsung phone that cost ₦160k and paid ₦80k outright. The balance summed up to ₦120k, including interest, which I paid off over a couple of months. At that point, I was using a third of my salary to service the loans.

    Some of my money also went to my dad. He occasionally took ₦20k or ₦50k loans from me but never paid back. I also saved a bit, and by the end of 2020, I had close to ₦200k in savings.

    What happened after the internship ended?

    NYSC. Most medical professionals can relate to it being a period of uncertainty because you go from earning a good salary to a mere ₦33k/month stipend. I decided to use my savings to get a laptop, learn some tech skills to increase my earning potential and possibly get a side gig.

    I went to Ikeja to purchase said laptop, but then, I got robbed of my phone on the way. Thankfully, the thieves couldn’t access the account that had my savings. But the experience scattered my plans. I had to spend two weeks navigating the NIN process to retrieve my sim, abandoning the side gig plans.

    NYSC posted me to a state in southern Nigeria in 2021, where I moved in with a fellow corps member. My half of the rent and other bills was about ₦110k for the year. My PPA was a general hospital that didn’t pay anything extra, so I hardly showed up. I relied on NYSC’s stipend and the occasional allowance from home. 

    I also continued taking loans — I must’ve taken up to ₦100k in loans during my service year.

    Did you try to do anything else for money?

    I got another locum pharmacist job two months into my service year in June 2021. Someone I met at CDS introduced me to this community pharmacy that paid ₦57k/month. It’s still one of my favourite locum experiences so far. My boss had no issues and even increased my salary in November to ₦76k/month. He also gave me an extra ₦70k Christmas bonus. 

    I’m not sure how I managed it, but even with the added income, I wasn’t free from the loan cycle. I hardly went out and didn’t spend so much on transportation or clothes. I randomly shopped online and had some black tax expenses, but it shouldn’t have been enough to keep me in my constant borrowing cycle. 

    But I was still in the vicious cycle set in motion from my very first loan.

    I finished NYSC in February 2022 and considered staying back in the state I served. The original plan was to request to be converted into a full-time staff at the pharmacy, but then, I landed a temporary position at a public health organisation in the state. Temporary because they worked with donor funds and could only guarantee me a job while they still had funds.

    How much did the job pay?

    ₦209k/month. It was also a break from working long hours almost every day at the community pharmacy. My major expense was black tax from my younger sister. I got into a relationship too, but I only spent on my girlfriend when we went out on dates at least once a month or when I more frequently stopped by her workplace with food. 

    In March, I moved out of my NYSC apartment into a two-bedroom with a roommate. My half of the rent was ₦275k, which I didn’t have at the time, so I took a ₦100k loan from a loan app and another ₦101k loan from my roommate.

    The donor funds at my job expired in July. I was unemployed until September when I got a one-week gig at an NGO that paid ₦209k — the standard pay for my role in the NGO industry. In November 2022, the public health organisation that ran on donor funds (my former job) called me back, and I resumed my ₦209k/month role. During the months of unemployment, I took on academic writing gigs for UK master’s students who were doing work-study programs. I had a friend who hooked me up, and I’d get ₦15k or ₦20k gigs once in a while. 

    I also took occasional loans from my roommate and girlfriend. She didn’t know about my loan apps problem, though.

    Were you ashamed of it?

    I definitely wasn’t proud of it. 

    Before I got my job back in November, a loan company called my dad after I defaulted on a payment. I’m still grateful he didn’t tell anyone else, or it’d have been a whole family meeting. He called me to ask what was happening, and I lied that I took the loan when I lost my phone, and that I’d settle it. That call was the drive I needed to sit up and stop the loan cycle once and for all. I couldn’t be in debt forever. I wasn’t saving, investing or doing anything worthwhile, and that wasn’t the life I wanted.

    I decided to focus on taking my job even more seriously. I knew unemployment could take me back down the loan route, so I wanted to be indispensable at work, donor funds or not. I also continued taking the freelancing gigs, and in a good month, it brought an additional ₦50k.

    In March 2023, I finally landed my first permanent public health pharmacist role at an NGO. It paid ₦500k/month during the six-month confirmation period. They now pay me ₦450k/month.

    The pay reduced?

    Confirmation meant they had to start removing tax and other compulsory stuff. I’m terrible at keeping track of deductions. I just know the company pays for my pension and health insurance charges. 

    The job was also in a different state, so I had to move and get a new laptop. I took a final ₦400k loan from an app to do this, and I just finished repaying it in November. I was comfortable taking this loan because I knew my salary could cover it.

    My salary is also not the only way to make money at my job.

    Tell me more

    Work trips are where the money is at. They assign you to a secondary location for a couple of days and pay a per diem — an allowance for the trip. This blew my mind. You mean, you’ll foot transportation costs, lodge me in a hotel with complimentary breakfast AND still pay me daily because of the stress of the trip? Wonderful. The trips never go beyond a week, but it adds an extra ₦20k – ₦180k to my income at the end of the month.

    What do you spend this money on?

    I live in a dead town, which says a lot coming from an introverted person. So, I like to pop into Lagos once in a while, like an IJGB, to have a good time. I’ve been to Lagos thrice this year, and I spent around ₦30k – ₦70k on each trip. I also send around ₦60k monthly to my parents to help out with my dad’s medication and support the income. Then there’s the random money I send to my siblings.

    What do these expenses look like in a good month?

    Nairalife #252 Monthly Expenses

    I mentioned I just finished repaying a ₦400k loan. That took ₦120k out of my income every month, but that’s done now. I don’t put an amount to feeding because I just feed myself based on what I have left. My rent is ₦250k yearly, which is half my monthly income, so I figure I don’t have to actively save monthly for it.

    Sometimes, I save more when I get more money from work trips. I currently have $750 saved in a fintech app, and I hope to cross the $1k threshold by January 2024. I’m worried my parents could have a hospital emergency at any time, and I want to be ready. I also want to japa one day, but I don’t have a particular route yet, so I want to have the money down first.

    What’s your relationship with money like now?

    I used to be quite impulsive with spending because my mentality was, “Another one will come eventually”. But that’s how the loan addiction started. Now, I make sure to save something immediately my salary comes in. Since I was repaying a loan up until November 2023, I’ve only saved ₦50k constantly monthly since I got my job in March. I hope to increase that now that I’m debt-free. 

    Do you ever feel tempted to take another loan?

    I literally just opened a microfinance bank app today, and they offered me a ₦1.4m loan. I considered taking it and investing in a business until my brain told me to calm the hell down. The fact that I can take the loan doesn’t mean I should do it.

    I think I understand I have the tendency to make stupid money decisions, but I choose to protect my mental health now. Why do something and get depressed about it when I can actually choose NOT to do it?

    That’s fair. Do you have an ideal monthly salary?

    I just want to earn at least ₦1m/month. I don’t have any entrepreneurial blood in me, and I think that’s a decent amount to suffice for me waking up every day to do a 9-5. I’m trying to psych myself up to get public health, logistics and supply chain certifications in 2024 to help my future japa plans and increase my earning potential. 

    I don’t want to be obscenely rich, though. People with crazy amounts of money have to do unethical things to get there, and I can’t do that. I’d rather take a smaller payday. 

    Have you considered what these certifications would cost?

    I have, and they’re quite expensive. One costs as much as $2k. I’m hoping to get grants from my job, but before then, I’ll probably take advantage of as many free and less expensive courses as I can to gather knowledge. I just need guidance and strength to push through with these plans and not get discouraged along the way. 

    How would you rate your financial happiness on a scale of 1 – 10?

    This is one of my favourite Naira Life questions. I’ll rate it a 7.5. I could be better, but I’m happy, and I can deal with what I have now.

    If you’re interested in talking about your Naira Life story, this is a good place to start.

    Yes, I want to do a Naira Life

    Find all the past Naira Life stories here.

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  • Bank staff – ₦‎60k

    They already count more than enough money every day. Why would they ever need more?

    Politicians – ₦‎33k

    If they really want to be public servants, they should lead by example and collect a minimum wage. It’s the least they can do.

    Barbers –  ₦‎1 million

    They can literally mess up your look for the next month. You definitely don’t want to mess with their pay.

    Policemen – ₦‎500k

    Let’s pay them well enough that it won’t even occur to them to stress us whenever we meet them on the road.

    Teachers – ₦500k

    Do you really want to underpay the people responsible for ensuring your child’s future is bright? Do you want to pay for a low-current future?

    Doctors – Whatever they ask for

    We don’t even have enough of them, so we can’t afford to play hard-to-get with the people japa-ing  every other Tuesday.

    Lagos babes – Everything and more

    Like it or not, being a Lagos babe is a full-time profession. Serving looks not only requires talent, but lots of money too. That’s why ‎they deserve everything.

    NEXT READ: Fake It Till You Make It? — 7 Nigerians on Landing Jobs Without the Required Experience

  • If there’s one thing that makes Nigerians (well, anybody) happy, it’s salary week. 

    If you know you’re getting ready to cash out over the next few days, this playlist is for you. Remember to enjoy this moment because SAPA is always around the corner, waiting to take your last card. 

    Chop My Money — P-Square

    This is a great song to sing in the club when that salary hits. But also note that this is an invitation, so don’t be mad if someone does indeed chop your money in the end. 

    2 Sugar — Wizkid and Ayra Starr 

    2 Sugar off Wizkid’s More Love, Less Ego might hint at protecting your mental health. But the way Ayra sings, “Sho ri nonsense, ma gbe sun mo mi” makes it the perfect song to dedicate to all those people who wait until salary week to ask if they can borrow small cash for one problem or the other. Ogbeni, “I dey fight my own demons, don’t you see?” 

    Peace Be Unto You (PBUY) — Asake 

    Asake is the current, always-dropping music, reigning king of party music in Nigeria. Period. But if there’s one of his many hit songs that I’d gladly put on a salary week playlist, it’s Peace Be Unto You (PBUY). On this song, Asake recognises that hard work brings money into your account, so my dear, spend that cash because you earned it. However, the best part is when he sings, “Before them use me, I go use myself”, meaning spend your money before unnecessary wahala lands on your doorstep to snatch it from you. 

    Billionaire — Stanley Okorie

    It doesn’t matter whether your salary is in billions, millions, hundreds of thousands or just small thousands; you’ll relate to Stanley Okorie’s Billionaire on salary day. But please and please, take that “no mercy for money” part with a pinch of salt. After all, the song’s title is still “Billionaire”, not ₦10k. 

    Unavailable — Davido and Musa Keys 

    This special number is dedicated to bills and people who like to bill. Yes, it’s salary week, but like Davido said, “If it’s not owo, I can’t talk”. So, forget I exist unless you plan on giving me more money. We’ll all be fine last last. 

    Holiday — Rema

    It’s good to celebrate salary week, but it’s also good to remember all the times when bad belle people cast you away. Nothing screams “New money” like a good grass-to-grace story. 

    RECOMMENDED: Rema Hasn’t Missed Since 2019 and We Can Prove It

    Who’s Your Guy? — Spyro 

    Who’s the big boss in the street right now? Yes, it’s you, bitch. Now that salary has come, best believe you’re about to be everybody’s guy. Just remember to divide the bill by everybody on the table because the money still has to last you until next month. 

    Asiwaju — Ruger 

    This song might be tied to someone who allegedly sold drugs — I said, “allegedly” here, and I didn’t mention names. But it doesn’t mean you can’t use it to celebrate your win as a fucking baller who’s ahead of people whose salary doesn’t come until the first week of a new month. 

    Who Born the Maga — Wande Coal and K-Switch 

    Having natural confidence is sweet. But you know what’s sweeter? Having natural confidence that’s also backed by funds. No one can tell you nonsense during salary week. No, like, who actually born the maga? Having money is the real BDE, trust me. 

    Bandana — Fireboy DML and Asake

    This song works two ways. One, it’s a reminder to everyone that you’ve arrived now that the bag has been secured. But it could also serve as a warning from SAPA that you’ll never see him coming. So, tap into whichever anointing and spirit you feel when singing Asake’s chorus. 

    Party No Dey Stop — Adekunle Gold and Zinoleesky 

    Yes, this is an Adekunle Gold banger, but it’s also the motto for the first two weekends after salary drops. Why are you at home on a Friday night with all that money in your account? Better listen to AG and Zino and go pop some bottles — champagne or beer, a bottle is a bottle. 

    Loaded — Tiwa Savage and Asake 

    This song doesn’t need too much serenre because you get the gist when Asake starts singing, “I’m loaded”. It’s either you’re loaded, or you’re not. Loaded people, please, come to the front. The rest of you, go and listen to Tiwa’s Stamina until your money drops because that’s what you’ll need to withstand the SAPA. 

    Finesse — Pheelz and BNXN 

    No, but whose business is it that you’re broke? Sure, you’ll have to inconvenience your friends and family by borrowing money and begging for food later, but for now, enjoy Folake for the night. 

    Suffer Suffer — Lady Donli 

    Raise your hands if you didn’t come to this life to suffer. This Lady Donli anthem off her 2019 album, Enjoy Your Life, is a perfect reminder that we were put on earth to have a good time (another Lady Donli song). Suffering is not your portion, so wipe away that poverty mentality and enjoy some of the money you busted your butt making over the last month. 

    Godwin — Korede Bello 

    What God cannot do does not exist. It’s not easy being a salary earner. 

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    Listen to our salary playlist here:

  • If you belong to the sapa-inflicted group of Nigerians like most of us do — 63% of Nigerians, to be exact — you’ve probably never had to ask yourself, “How much should I pay my maid or driver?” Because you immediately know you’re unable to afford such services.

    There have been many debates on the TL about how much is okay to pay blue-collar workers. But Nigerian Twitter can claim one thing, while reality says another. So I spoke to seven workers, and they shared what they really earn, as well as how much their earnings have grown over the years.

    “My take-home salary doesn’t take me home”

    — Sunday, 46, Personal driver

    I’ve been a driver for about ten years. I turned to this career path when teaching at private schools stopped making sense. Imagine teaching a class on every subject, with the stress of forming lesson notes and exam questions, only to get ₦7,500 at the end of the month.

    The father of one of my students complained about driving alone from Ekiti to Lagos every two weeks because of his job, and as a sharp man, I claimed I could do it, even though I’d never driven interstate. That’s how I got my first driving job in 2013. It was a three-day journey every two weeks. I had to wait with him in Lagos until he returned to Ekiti, and he paid me ₦10k a month. I did that for about three years before he finally moved to Lagos, and I got my current job driving a polytechnic staff member in 2017. I drive him around from 9 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. daily before going to my house. He paid me ₦15k at first. But in 2021, my wife gave birth to our third child, so I complained about money, and he increased it to ₦18k. 

    The take-home salary doesn’t take me home at all. Most times, I’m in debt before I receive it. But my oga’s wife helps by giving me foodstuff and gifts for my children sometimes. I always say she’s the reason I’m still working here. I don’t know if I’ll ever retire or what I’d be doing if I’m not driving. Maybe I’d pay more attention to my farm, but many people farm in Ekiti. How much would I gain?

    “I don’t know how much my salary is”

    — Toyin, 21, Live-in nanny and maid

    I work as a live-in nanny and housemaid for a couple with three children. I’ve been with them since they had their first child. I was 13 then, and had just finished JSS 2. 

    My dad was in prison for allegedly selling stolen generators, and my mum was really sick, so our family friend advised her to send one of her five children (which turned out to be me) to work. I came to Osogbo and started caring for my bosses’ child and the house. They used to send my salary home to my parents. But when I turned 16, they put me in a part-time adult school so I could do GCE and said my salary would pay for it. I passed my GCE in 2021, but I’m still trying to gain admission for a national diploma. I hardly have time to read because of my responsibilities, but I’m glad my bosses want me to get educated, so I have hope for a better future.

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    “I’m always owed”

    — Iyabo, 38, Laundry woman

    I wash clothes for a living. I’ve been doing this for about six years, and I get most of my jobs through referrals. My typical clients are female staff of the schools in my area, who hardly have time to wash their own clothes.

    I do the bulk of my work during the weekend when they’re around. When I first started, I charged around ₦1k for two or three large heaps of clothes, but now, I charge ₦3k – ₦5k. In a good month, I wash for at least one person every weekend. They provide soap and water, and I just wash. It’s a good arrangement because I can use the rest of the week for my other hustle, which is selling cooked food. 

    My major challenge with the laundry business is my clients always owe me. Sometimes, they’ll hold payment for three sets of washing and only pay at the end of the month. Some can even complain that the clothes aren’t clean just so they can reduce my money. And people are now buying washing machines. I’m not sure how long I’ll continue this job.

    “I can’t charge more than ₦80k for a full-day wedding coverage”

    — Chidi, 27, Photographer

    I started photography as a hobby in 2012. I learnt it through my church’s skill acquisition program. They even gifted me a camera for being the best student. But when I lost my job during the pandemic, my brother suggested I make money from it.

    So, I started taking passport photographs. I lived close to a polytechnic, so the students were my customers. I charged ₦300 for four passports and made like ₦5k a day. In 2021, I converted a small shop in front of my dad’s house into a mini studio and started offering photoshoots too.

    Now, my main clientele are wedding couples, but omo, they can be so annoying. It’s difficult to charge more than ₦80k for a full-day coverage because I’m in Akure, and these people are cheap. After all the stress, they’ll still want you to send their pictures immediately after the wedding. Like it’s that easy.

    “You have to fight to get paid a living wage”

    — Mrs. Akinyemi, 39, Cleaner

    I started cleaning homes and offices around 2018. My husband had just lost his job, and I had to support the home. I’ve seen things o. Apart from the fact that many people live like pigs, you have to fight to get paid a living wage.

    The first gig I got was a monthly payment of ₦10k for cleaning the office thrice a week. They always struggled to provide the necessary cleaning supplies like mops. I’d use a rag and be on all fours just to clean the floor. Then the money hardly went anywhere. Once I received salary, I’d go to the market to buy garri and rice, and that’s what we’d survive on till the next month.

    Now, I have two consistent cleaning jobs that pay me ₦20k and ₦35k. For both jobs, I clean three times a week. My finances are somewhat stable. Even though my husband has a job now, we have kids at the university, so I have to keep at it. 

    “I feel cheated”

    — Nifemi, 21, Printing assistant

    I’ve been trying to get admission into the university since 2022, but between JAMB jamming me and the countless ASUU strikes, I decided to take up a printing assistant job at one of the cafe’s near me. It’s my first job.

    My boss pays me ₦5k every month, and he said it was that low because students weren’t in school, and business was low. The strike was called off in October 2022, and business really picked up. Sometimes, he’d make ₦15k a day, yet he doesn’t want to increase my money. I feel cheated, but I can’t just sit at home without work or school.

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    “I spend my income on medication”

    — Peace, 35, Hairdresser

    I’ve been making hair for more than a decade, and while I love being independent, it doesn’t really pay my bills. After getting my freedom from a three-year apprenticeship, I started my business and charged around ₦1k for braids with attachment.

    It’s funny because ten years later, I’ve only increased it to ₦5k, but people still price it down. Sometimes, I make only ₦8k per week. Maybe it’s because I’m in Ado-Ekiti, but the money isn’t worth it. My neighbours don’t even like paying. They claim I shouldn’t collect money from “ara ile”. And I spend my income on medication for back pain all the time because I stand all day. I don’t have any other handiwork, so if I stop making hair, I don’t know what I’ll do.

    Some responses have been translated from Yoruba to English and slightly edited for clarity.

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    GET YOUR TIX HERE

  • Word on the streets is some 9-5ers still don’t know how to answer the “What’s your expected salary?” question. I also heard some just collect whatever amount is written in the offer letter.

    Ah. Don’t you like money, dear?

    I’m not even shading anyone. Some 9-5ers is me; I’m some 9-5ers. I also want to learn how to earn what I deserve, so I got these millennial professionals to share tips on what’s worked for them.

    “Research o”

    — Chinwe, 28, Human resource manager

    When I ask people what salary they’d like to receive, I expect their answers to show they’ve done their research. Like, how would you apply at a multinational and say you want to receive ordinary ₦150k? It may be much to you, depending on where you’re coming from, but you have to make your findings. Research o.

    Plus, research helps when the company doesn’t put the expected salary in the vacancy. I use Glassdoor. Your research should answer questions like, “What is the normal salary range for this role in this industry?” “How much does this company typically pay?” This is so you have something reasonable to say when the question comes up.

    “Know when to try”

    — Ola*, 31, Digital marketer

    It hinges a lot on the type of company you’re applying to. I’ve found that many Nigerian companies aren’t really open to negotiation. They’ll just put the salary there; try to ask for something higher, and they’ll be like, “Is this one serious?”

    So, know when to try to ask for more. If you really want the job and don’t want to risk it, just accept their offer. If they ask you for your expected salary during the interview, give a range, but emphasise that you’re open to hearing what they have in mind. If they’re trying to poach you, feel free to go crazy. The fact that they reached out to you already means they want to hire you, so they’ll be more open to negotiating.

    “TBH, it’s a gamble”

    — Joe*, 33, Graphic designer

    There’s no one size fits all approach to it. TBH, it’s a gamble, but you can also make an informed one by comparing what you earn to what others earn.

    One thing I try to do is double my current income and use that as a template for the “What’s your expected salary?” question. It’s either they get back to me or they don’t. Someone offered me a salary once, and I reached back to appreciate their offer but explained why my skills, experience and the value I would bring to them meant I needed a 30% increase on what they initially offered. They accepted. You’ll never know if you’ll be lucky unless you try.

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    “Let them know what you’re worth”

    — Amy, 35, Marketing manager

    I learnt something from a career coach: have a brag sheet of your accomplishments ready so you can defend whatever amount you’re requesting as remuneration at the interview. Let them know what you’re worth.

    If you want to ask for ₦3m for instance, your previous accomplishments should tell them, “Yes, this person is worth it. If they could do so and so at this place, they should be able to do more here”.

    “Be open to negotiating”

    — Ore, 27, Financial analyst

    Some companies won’t even ask how much you want to earn, they’ll just put an amount in their offer letter. If you’re okay with it, fine. But I always tell my friends to be more open to negotiating. Try to ask for more. It can be something as simple as asking for a one-time 20% increase to cover your logistics needs if you’re moving locations for the job, for instance. Of course, it also depends on the company, but there’s no harm in trying.

    “It’s not just about the salary”

    — Leah*, 37, Brand manager

    You can also negotiate better benefits or leave days. It’s not just about the salary. If you’re applying for an executive-level position, for instance, your offer letter may include the allowances you’ll get. So, if they’re offering you a 10% transportation allowance, you can negotiate for a higher percentage, or if they’re offering 15 leave days, you can negotiate for 20. Remuneration isn’t just about the salary; it’s the entire package.

    “Try… and pray”

    — Jojo, 30, Content marketer

    I try to always be prepared for the salary question, and I never sell myself short. I’ve called amounts that even in my mind, I was like, “Girl, you like money o”. But no recruiter has laughed at me. They only either try to negotiate or tell me what their budget is. Also, pray o. Prayer works for me, and if it’s your thing, there’s no harm in trying it before any interview or salary negotiation.

    *Some names have been changed for the sake of anonymity.

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  • Even after waiting so long for January salary, we all know it won’t last. Take this quiz and we’ll tell you what will finish your money.

  • January salary is scared for its life right now, and it should be. After making us wait for so long, it should know we have a lot in store for it. Because why did it take the whole year to arrive? Now that it’s here, this is how you should treat it.

    First of all, shed tears of joy

    Do you know how long this month was? You could’ve completed a Master’s degree program in January alone. Give thanks that your wait is finally over.

    Have one last look at the complete money in your account

    Nothing is sweeter than seeing a round figure in your account on salary day, even though you know it won’t last 24 hours.

    Think of all the things you suffered in January

    Think back to the times when you were struggling in the ghetto of sapa, before your salary showed up as salvation.

    Prepare to start tearing it into pieces

    Enough of the fantasies. It’s time to spend money like a bandit. Your time has finally come after waiting for so long.

    Buy food

    You can’t do this on an empty stomach. You need to spend some of the salary on food first. Eat well before you fully settle into the cash that just came your way.

    Make a budget

    If you don’t want to spend like a bandit, make a budget of the things you want. You’ll probably not follow it, but at least, don’t plan to fail from the beginning nau.

    Step outside

    You’ve been an introvert all month because you don’t have money. It’s time for your true personality to show itself once again.

    Start begging your last cash not to leave you

    After you’ve enjoyed yourself and realise it’s only the 10th of February, you need to start begging the last ₦10k in your account not to leave you.

    Wait for February salary

    Ultimately, you know it’ll leave. So just take your mind off it and start preparing for February salary.

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