Alexei* is a 26-year-old man with a partner who’s 15 years older and earns enough to spend Alexei’s salary in one night. In this interview, he shares the misconceptions about their relationship, the power dynamic and how he gets away with being poor through the power of gifting.

An excerpt: “Our dates are very sporadic. Sometimes, we go months without a single date; other times, we go six times a month. The minimum spend is ₦40k, which my partner covers.

Since I don’t pay for stuff, I put a lot of thought into the gifts I give them. For Valentine’s Day in 2021, I commissioned four paintings with special notes behind each of them, which cost about ₦40k in total. That year, I also got them a nice senator material that cost ₦50k and a blue watch — because they love wristwatches but don’t have one in that colour — for about ₦70k. Even though they literally have everything they want, getting gifts that show I’m thinking of them is how I get away with being poor. ”

Read their #LoveCurrency here

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#HowMuchLast is a game where we show you an item and you tell us (and the world) the highest amount you’d pay for it.

Some weeks will be Okin biscuit, some others will be SUVs.

Apple has announced their newest lineup of mobile devices. So, let’s see how much you’re willing to pay to cop an iPhone 15.

What’s the most you’d pay? Tweet at us here.

We can’t say we’re about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we’ve compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.

• • Junior Graphics Designer – Junior Graphics Designer
  • Finance Analyst Accounts Payable – Shell
  • Sales Quality Manager – FairMoney
  • SEO Content Assistant – Kidadl

Share this newsletter

All good things must come to an end. But not this good thing. We’ll be back next week.

In the
meantime, keep reading Zikoko’s articles and be sure to share the love.

Till next week…

Yours cashly,

Toheeb,

Zikoko’s “OG” Mr. Money

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After losing a marketing job in Lagos, 30-year-old Chidi moved to Port Harcourt. Five years later, he’s managing a ₦40k teaching job, zero savings, ₦300k debt and a supportive girlfriend who believes his hard work will pay off some day.

An excerpt: “My babe and I are trying to work on our finances. Her uncle wants to get her a state job that comes with accommodation and a salary of over ₦100k. When she gets it, we can start saving together, maybe in a joint account.”

Read their #LoveCurrency

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#HowMuchLast is a game where we show you an item and you tell us (and the world) the highest amount you’d pay for it.

Some weeks will be Okin biscuit, some others will be SUVs.

This is your cue to start making your #DettyDecember plans. So, let’s see how much you’re willing to pay for a ticket to one of the much-anticipated December events — the Afro Nation festival.

What’s the most you’d pay? Tweet at us here.

We can’t say we’re about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we’ve compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.

• Learning & Development Lead – Ikeja Electric
• DevOps Engineer – Flutterwave
• Banker’s-In-Training (BIT) – Sales – Wema Bank
• Teaching Assistant – Nexford University

Share this newsletter

All good things must come to an end. But not this good thing. We’ll be back next week.

In the
meantime, keep reading Zikoko’s articles and be sure to share the love.

Till next week…

Yours cashly,

Toheeb,

Zikoko’s “OG” Mr. Money

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Kabir has always enjoyed a comfortable life and wants to maintain that. Between his love for gifting his partner and a ₦73k income, how will he avoid what he fears most — being poor?

An excerpt: “We have conversation about money all the time. He’s more financially literate, so he knows all about the stocks and bonds market. While I save my regular ₦10 – 15k, he has stocks with a telecommunication company in Nigeria and some his dad left him when he passed. He mentioned in July 2022 that he wanted to get me stocks, but due to the fall in the stock market, he hasn’t gotten around to it. “

Read #LoveCurrency here

#HowMuchLast is a game where we show you an item and you tell us (and the world) the highest amount you’d pay for it.

Some weeks will be Okin biscuit, some others will be SUVs.

This one is a blast from the past. But a good blast, nonetheless. This week, let’s see how much you’re willing to pay for a Ludo board game.

What’s the most you’d pay? Tweet at us here.

We can’t say we’re about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we’ve compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.

• • Quality Assurance Engineer – GoMoney
  • Customer Support Team Lead – Lemfi
  • Officer, Client Services, SIPML – Standard Bank Group
  • Head, Risk Management – Deloitte

Share this newsletter

All good things must come to an end. But not this good thing. We’ll be back next week.

In the
meantime, keep reading Zikoko’s articles and be sure to share the love.

Till next week…

Yours cashly,

Toheeb,

Zikoko’s “OG” Mr. Money

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Good morning, {$name}. 🌞

Random, but I have the same last name as a politician and former senator in my state. For a long time when I was growing up, this coincidence was something of a claim to fame. People were convinced that we were related and were disappointed when I told them they got it wrong. One time when I was in university, a porter was so sure I wasn’t telling the truth that he got me to call my dad to confirm what he thought he knew. To many people like him, I was just trying to keep a low profile.

At some point, I started telling people that this senator was a distant uncle — it was the fastest way to get them to leave me alone. But it also got me out of trouble in my uni a few times.

Naturally, I thought a lot about what it must be like to have a politician parent or close family member. And if this week’s Naira Life is anything to go by, it means not having to worry about your financial future. Let’s dive in!

In this letter:

• #NairaLife: The Politician’s Daughter Who Doesn’t Need to Work for Money
• HustlePrint: What Do You Need to Become a Musician in Nigeria?
• Love Currency:Dating in Benin on a ₦400k Photographer Monthly Income
• Money Meanings: “Bear Market”
• Game: #HowMuchLast
• Where The Money At?!

Since the 23-year-old subject of this #NairaLife turned 18, her future has been sorted — thanks to investments and a $250k trust fund set up by her parents. Still, she rated her financial happiness a 6. Why?

Read her #NairaLife

Some other great money articles you should read:

• I Love My Job, But I Hate The Fact That I Have to Work
• My Weirdest Gig: I Worked on a Client’s Dating Profile

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Among the things Douglas* wished for on his 24th birthday, finding love was not one of them. But when he met Susie*, he knew I wanted to be with her. In this interview, he talks about the voice note that started their love story, working as a photographer in Benin city, and his girlfriend’s reluctance to take money from him.

An excerpt: “I know how much is in her account most of the time because she tells me when money comes in. And since I get paid according to the number of images I edit, we usually do the calculations together. That way, she knows how much I earn every month.”

Read their #LoveCurrency here

Compensation in Nigeria is shrouded in secrecy, and it’s even worse for creators who work in tech. ConTech Africa is working on a No-Code Salary Tool and Report, a simple resource for the tech ecosystem to understand the market trends and best practices for benefits for no-code roles.

To make this happen, we need no-code professionals to help fill out a 2-min anonymous survey here

Take the survey here

#HowMuchLast is a game where we show you an item and you tell us (and the world) the highest amount you’d pay for it.

Some weeks will be Okin biscuit, some others will be SUVs.

I saw a tweet yesterday about how a popular canned sardines brand has started advertising their product. Before now, they didn’t bother to do that and still sold. Yeah, times are tough. So, I started thinking about how much people think these are worth these days. So, #HowMuchLast for a tin of sardines?

What’s the most you’d pay? Tweet at us here.

We can’t say we’re about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we’ve compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.

• • Motion Graphics Intern – Sun King
    
  • Head, Internal Control and Risk Management
    – Delloite
  • Junior Project Manager – ARM
  • Growth Manager – Nestcoin

Share this newsletter

All good things must come to an end. But not this good thing. We’ll be back next week.

In the
meantime, keep reading Zikoko’s articles and be sure to share the love.

Till next week…

Yours cashly,

Toheeb,

Zikoko’s ‘OG’ Mr. Money

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Good morning, {$name}. 🌞

My name is Tife, and I’m here because I briefly kidnapped Toheeb with an exciting announcement.

ICYMI, Toheeb hinted this in the newsletter last week, but here’s the gist: I’ll be taking over this series from him.

Today’s Naira Life is my first (insert screams), but before we get into it, I had a conversation with Toheeb where he talked about his best (and least favourite) thing about writing the series. We also talked about some of the interesting things we hope to continue doing with Naira Life.

Tife: What was it like writing Naira Life?

Toheeb: It was revealing. Most of the conversations and the stories added a new layer of perspective or gave me a totally different context to something I already knew.

Tife: What did you like most about writing the series?

Toheeb: I’ve loved Naira Life even before I started writing it. My favourite part of the process was the conversations that led to the stories. Least favourite? I’m genuinely not sure. Maybe just the fact that it usually took most of my weekend. But even that wasn’t a disaster.

Tife: What’s your best Naira Life story?

Toheeb: Haha. This is an incredibly difficult question. I have a few favourites for varying reasons. But the Naira Life that moved me the most was NL 137.

I also have a question for you, Tife. What are you looking forward to the most about owning Naira Life?

Tife: Meeting rich people and begging them to show me the way. JK JK. I’m looking forward to the conversations and bringing even more diverse stories. NairaLife is known for sharing the stories of people with very broad worldviews and distinct experiences, and I want to do more of that. From the female carpenter on the road, to the silent millionaires and everyone in between.

Cheers to new beginnings. Now, let’s get into this week’s stories.

In this letter:

• #NairaLife: The Christian Missionary Trusting God With ₦49k/Month
• HustlePrint: From Studying Agricultural Engineering to Working at Spotify
• Love Currency:Dating in Abuja on a ₦700k Influencer Monthly Income
• Money Meanings: “Palliative”
• Game: #HowMuchLast
• Where The Money At?!

The 34-year-old in this #NairaLife set out to escape a life of poverty in Mushin, Lagos. But a decision to follow God meant abandoning a ₦150k/month offer and a promising civil engineering career for ₦5k/month to volunteer at a Christian mission in 2015.
Now, he can hardly boast of a monthly income, but he’s sure of one thing: he’ll never be stranded.

Read his #NairaLife.

Some other great money articles you should read:

• How Nigerians Deal With Realising They’re Underpaid
• What It’s Like to Lose Your Hard-Earned Money, According to 7 Nigerians

After COVID, Julia* quit her insurance job to focus on being a food blogger. In this article, she tells us how her boyfriend influenced her decision, going from earning ₦30k to ₦700k monthly and her plan to be financially independent.

An excerpt: “We’re not really big on gifts, but we try to get something for each other on birthdays. For his birthday this year, I got him a cake and perfume. I also sent him money. Everything was approximately ₦70k. While for my birthday, he got me a cake, two customized shirts and tote bags for my brand.

We still don’t go on actual dates because he doesn’t like going out, and since my work keeps me outside most of the time, I prefer to spend my time indoors too.

”

Read the full story here

#HowMuchLast is a game where we show you an item and you tell us (and the world) the highest amount you’d pay for it.

Some weeks will be Okin biscuit, some others will be SUVs.

What’s a fair price to 10x’ing your productivity if you work from home. So, #HowMuchLast for a home office setup?

What’s the most you’d pay? Tweet at us here.

We can’t say we’re about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we’ve compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.

• Design Director – Reliance Health
  
• Communications Officer
  – Street Child
• HR Coordinator – Africa – ControlRisks
• Software Developer – ARM

Share this newsletter

All good things must come to an end. But not this good thing. We’ll be back next week.

In the
meantime, keep reading Zikoko’s articles and be sure to share the love.

Till next week…

Yours cashly,

Tife,

Zikoko’s resident money girl

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Good morning, {$name}. 🌞

I have a few financial hacks I keep talking about adopting that I never get around to. On top of this list is paying for device insurance. I believe the premium is a fair trade-off for the value you get if you eventually need it. So why haven’t I gone ahead and done it, eh?

It’s particularly worrying because I have a computer I’ve abandoned for a few months because of a damaged screen. Last week, I had a scare with my backup computer. You’d think that’d spur me to action, but nah. I’m still out here covering my devices with the “Blood of Jesus” and “Insha Allah”.

This isn’t foolproof, is it? Let’s hope I do the right thing before I have to find out.

By the way, we have important news to share next week. Stay tuned.

Now, let’s get into this week’s stories.

In this letter:

• The #Nairalife of the Documentary Photographer With Tech Founder Dreams
• HustlePrint: Fancy a Career in Social Media Influencing? Here’s What You Should Know
• Love Currency: Family Life in Warri, Delta State, on a ₦51k Fixed Pension
• Money Meanings: “Purchasing Power”
• Game: #HowMuchLast
• Where The Money At?!

Between 2018 and 2023, this 28-year-old worked as a photographer in a state’s governor’s office. At first, his official salary was ₦50k, then it grew to ₦120k. Now that’s over, he’s returned to his first love — software development. His plan? Building tech businesses.

Read his #NairaLife.

Some other great money articles you should read:

• Employers, Here’s How to Actually Support Your Staff in These Trying Times
• 8 Warning Signs You’re Becoming Capitalism’s Strongest Soldier

After 30 years at the bank, Mr Patrick* retired in 2014 and moved into his house in Warri, Delta state. He shares what led to his early retirement, how his friend ghosted him after an investment deal and putting his children through school on an epileptic pension supply.

An excerpt: “I [currently] run a fabric business. When I started in 2016, business was good, but with how bad the economy has been, my business has suffered greatly. People are working hard just to make ends meet, so they’re not thinking of getting new fabric. Sometimes, I go a week without selling a thing. Still, I open shop Monday to Saturday just in case a customer comes. Some months, I could get orders to supply a friend for an event, and the profit would be about ₦50k – ₦70k. Part of the money goes back to the business and shop rent at the end of the year.“

Read the full story here

#HowMuchLast is a game where we show you an item and you tell us (and the world) the highest amount you’d pay for it.

Some weeks will be Okin biscuit, some others will be SUVs.

Let’s pretend you’re a “genius” tech business man and have a few billion dollars lying around to spend. Now, you’ve decided to buy a social media network. So, #HowMuchLast for your new investment?

What’s the most you’d pay? Tweet at us here.

We can’t say we’re about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we’ve compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.

• Design Director – Reliance Health
  
• Video Editor & Cinematographer
  – Pulse
• Fullstack Developer, Platform – Flutterwave
• Project Administrator – IITA

Share this newsletter

All good things must come to an end. But not this good thing. We’ll be back next week.

In the
meantime, keep reading Zikoko’s articles and be sure to share the love.

Till next week…

Yours cashly,

Toheeb,

Zikoko’s ‘OG’ Mr. Money

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Subscribe to this Newsletter

Good morning, {$name}. 🌞

June (almost) wrecked me.

For about three years now, my biggest bills have been due in June. I’m still not sure how this happened.

On one hand, I’m a bit relieved that it’s all done and over with. But the countdown to June 2024 has also started. Ugh.

I’ll be sulking for the whole of July while manifesting for money I didn’t work for. Wish me luck.

Anyway, let’s get into this week’s stories.

In this letter:

• The Disciplined #NairaLife of An Upwardly Mobile Development Worker
• HustlePrint: I Joined Twitter to Have Fun, Now I Make a Living on It
• Love Currency: Married Life in Lagos on a ₦1.3m Monthly Accountant Salary
• Money Meanings: “Liquidity”
• Game: #HowMuchLast
• Where The Money At?!

After 27 years of barely getting by, this 34-year-old project manager’s finances started to turn around in 2017. The biggest game-changers so far, though, are her jobs. Between 2019 and 2021, she worked at a job that paid her in foreign currency. Now, her current job has given her a hack that’s allowed her to save more. How?

Read her #NairaLife.

Some other great money articles you should read:

• How to Find a Job That’ll Sponsor Your Japa
• Unconventional Ways to Find a Job in 2023

When Titilayo* met Edwin* in 2015, she was fresh out of NYSC and splurging her salary on clothes. But since they married in 2019, she’s become obsessed with saving. In this article, she tells Zikoko how she’s surviving on only ₦300k out of her ₦1.3m monthly salary while earning more than her partner.

An excerpt: “Because Edwin (my husband) earns ₦880k, the pay gap is pretty obvious. Whenever I complain about him not chipping in with the feeding, he reminds me that he pays for most of the recurring expenses. He also gets upset when he thinks I’m splurging because I don’t have to pay bills. Sometimes, I wish we could switch to when he earned more. “

Read the full story here

#HowMuchLast is a game where we show you an item and you tell us (and the world) the highest amount you’d pay for it.

Some weeks will be Okin biscuit, some others will be SUVs.

How much would you pay to get your real country’s passport? So, #HowMuchLast for dual citizenship?

What’s the most you’d pay? Tweet at us here.

We can’t say we’re about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we’ve compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.

• Social Media Manager – Mano
  
• Video Editor & Cinematographer
  – Pulse
• Senior Frontend Engineer – Flutterwave
• Head, Plant HR & Admin – Dangote Group

Share this newsletter

All good things must come to an end. But not this good thing. We’ll be back next week.

In the
meantime, keep reading Zikoko’s articles and be sure to share the love.

Till next week…

Yours cashly,

Toheeb,

Zikoko’s ‘OG’ Mr. Money

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Good morning, {$name}.🌞

Last year, I bought a Meta Quest 2 VR headset. It wasn’t a need, but I thought it might be fun to explore the immersive world of virtual reality. And man, oh man, what a piece of technology it is. If I’m not fighting hordes of zombies on The Walking Dead, I’m watching video content in ways I didn’t imagine were possible.

My headset was my shiny, new toy until recently.

A few weeks ago, Apple announced the soon-to-be-released Vision Pro. My initial, impulsive thought was, “What’s better than one VR headset? Two.” Then I saw the price. At $3500, I’ll have to shell out more than 12x what it cost me to buy a Meta Quest 2.

I guess one VR headset is enough after all. But I’m curious, how much do you consider a fair price for Apple’s new device? Hold that thought until you get to #HowMuchLast a few sections below.

First, let’s get into this week’s stories.

In this letter:

• #Nairalife:₦810k/month but She Doesn’t Love Her Relationship With Money
• HustlePrint: Mechanics Can Also Be Ballers. Here’s How You Can Become One
• Love Currency: A Long-distance Relationship, in London and Lagos, on a £4k Monthly Income
• Money Meanings: “Floating Exchange”
• Game: #HowMuchLast
• Where The Money At?!

In the past seven years, the 27-year-old in this #NairaLife has grown her income from ₦35k to ‎₦810k. However, her financial satisfaction is 5.5. Why? Doesn’t she earn enough or does she live above way her income means?

Read her #NairaLife here.

Some other great money articles you should read:

• “Nobody Can Call Me a Burden” — Nigerian Women on Going 50/50 Financially With Their Spouses
• 10 Pictures That Are Too Real for Nigerians During Salary Week

Brassmoney is a digital bank created for working professionals to enable them manage their personal & household finances. With the app, you can budget, create a Shared Account, pay bills, and more.

Download the app today to simplify your financial life

Good morning, {$name}. 🌞

We all have a degree of anxiety about money, and it’s always interesting to see how it guides our financial decisions. The subject of today’s Naira Life earns reasonably well, but saving money is not his thing. A lot of it has to do with his previous experiences with money, or the lack of it — and what it meant for his family.

Let’s get into this week’s stories.

In this letter:

• #Nairalife: Why Does This Comms Manager Have a Phobia of Saving?
• HustlePrint: How Do You Become a Mechanic in Nigeria? We Asked One
• Love Currency: A Long-distance Relationship in Ibadan and Lagos on a ₦30k Salary
• Money Meanings: “Floating Exchange”
• Game: #HowMuchLast
• Where The Money At?!

The communications manager in this story will always prioritise investing in real estate over saving. Why? His family has gone through the worst of housing situations, and he won’t let it happen again.

Read his #NairaLife.

Some other great money articles you should read:

• I Now Calculate Every Kobo Before Spending — 7 Nigerians on Cutting Costs
• How to Finesse a Job Interview, According to a Recruiter

24-year-old Feyi* has been dating her boyfriend for six years. They met in 100 level in 2017 and survived university as a couple. In 2022, they have limited incomes, but Feyi is confident they’re set for a comfortable financial future.

An excerpt: “I’m looking forward to a financial future where we’re both earning enough to comfortably sustain us. My boyfriend’s handwork promises to give him a lot of money. Mine is also promising. We don’t have to be stinky rich; I just want to be able to afford as many wigs and shoes as I want and decide not to go to work and not feel guilty.“

Read the full story here

#HowMuchLast is a game where we show you an item and you tell us (and the world) the highest amount you’d pay for it.

Some weeks will be Okin biscuit, some others will be SUVs.

If you could, how much would you exchange your naira notes for dollar bills? So, #HowMuchLast for a one dollar?

What’s the most you’d pay? Tweet at us here.

We can’t say we’re about the money and not actually help you find the money.

So we’ve compiled a list of job opportunities for you. Make sure you share this with anyone who might need it because in this community, we look out for each other.

Again, don’t mention. We gatchu.

• Senior Content Writer – ARM (Asset & Resource Management Holding Company)
• Team Lead – Customer Support – FairMoney
• IT & Data Privacy Compliance Auditor – Moniepoint
• Market Operation Analyst – Vendease

Share this newsletter

All good things must come to an end. But not this good thing. We’ll be back next week.

In the
meantime, keep reading Zikoko’s articles and be sure to share the love.

Till next week…

Yours cashly,

Toheeb,

Zikoko’s ‘OG’ Mr. Money

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