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.
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2024 was an interesting year for Nigerians living in Nigeria and spending the naira. Inflation hit all-time highs, and we had to continuously find creative ways to manage our money to meet the increasingly high cost of living.
Like we’ve done since 2019, we sought out Nigerians to share their financial journeys and look out for similarities and differences between how they’re making (or losing) money and how it affects their lives.
As the year comes to an end, let’s take a look back at the ten #NairaLife stories you loved the most and just couldn’t get enough of.
1. The #NairaLife of a Sex Worker Who’s Securing Her Siblings’ Future
“The 24-year-old in this story left home at 18 in search of a better life. She’s achieved that goal. Now, as her family’s breadwinner, her new focus is building an even better future for her siblings.”
I found her story fascinating. She’s focused on achieving financial freedom and doesn’t care that people judge her unconventional job; frankly, I respect it.
2. #NairaLife: The Software Developer Picking Himself Up After Losing $500K in Seven Months
I screamed inwardly several times during this interview. The 41-year-old in this story has had a rollercoaster financial journey. He built considerable wealth over a 10-year career and was on his way to achieving his dreams of a second passport when he lost his life savings to a botched crypto project and cryptocurrency exchange in 2022.
He’s rebuilding his savings and investment portfolio now, but how can someone ever recover from a $500k loss?
3. #NairaLife: The Investment Analyst on Track to Grow Her Liquid Assets to ₦100m in Three Years
“This 30-year-old has found a steady career rhythm but feels like she lost precious years trying different paths, hoping one would stick. Now, her focus is clear: making up for lost time by obsessively growing her wealth. Her goal? ₦100m.”
This #NairaLife was a masterclass in growing wealth. And yes, I took personal notes. Who doesn’t want to grow wealth?
4. #NairaLife: This HR Babe Pays Black Tax Out of Goodwill
“She could have been a lawyer, but this 34-year-old HR specialist stuck to her guns and now takes home ₦2.5m a month. Her biggest struggles, though? Impulse spending and black tax obligations to a mum she feels doesn’t deserve it.”
Many of our readers related to her black tax dilemma: wanting to help your parents but also resenting having to spend so much on them. Unfortunately, black tax can be a lifelong responsibility.
5. The Conflicted #NairaLife of an Adult Content Creator With Financial Anxiety
“This 21-year-old stumbled into adult content creation after a series of unfortunate events. One month in, she’s earning more than she ever imagined — but she’s already crafting an exit plan for a future beyond the industry.”
This #NairaLife was both sad and a little inspiring. It was interesting to see how she’s picking herself up after life dealt her several bad hands. I hope she’s able to make good on those exit plans.
6. #NairaLife: The Researcher Who Had to Start Afresh After Getting Disowned
Before interviewing this subject, I thought disownment was a thing that mostly happened in Nollywood movies and was the only outcome of extreme situations when they occurred in reality. Imagine my shock when I heard that this subject’s dad disowned her at 24 for getting pregnant.
She had to start afresh, but eight years later, she’s now a financially stable mother of two — thanks to her ₦1.5m/month salary. How did she get here, and what’s next for her?
7. #NairaLife: This Tech Bro Survived Two Layoffs by Working Multiple Jobs
The 28-year-old mobile engineer in this #NairaLife went through the nightmare of every 9-5er: He was laid off twice in seven months. Now, he’s navigating the insecurity that comes with working in the tech industry.
Thankfully, he’s had better luck in his relationship with money. He’s gone from careless spending to building an impressive $80k safety net by living below his means. Not bad at all.
8. #NairaLife: This Freelancer Once Drove Cabs. Now, She Makes $3k/Month
This 32-year-old freelance project coordinator is what you might call a late starter. Things haven’t always been rosy for her, from waiting five years to enter uni to driving cabs after a job loss.
However, she’s now on the road to financial freedom. Well, as soon as she figures out money management.
9. The #NairaLife of a Stay-at-Home Wife Who Isn’t Joking With Her Safety Nets
When asked if she’d ever return to the workforce, this 29-year-old stay-at-home wife responded, “What for?” I get it. She’s making just as much in the comfort of her home.
She doesn’t regret abandoning her career to start a family in 2020, but she’s now building something just as important: buffers and safety nets.
10. #NairaLife: She Earns Almost ₦2m/Month, but Is Considering Indefinite Unemployment
Following her big break in 2021, this 32-year-old sales manager’s income has been on an upward trajectory. The only problem? She’s now navigating burnout and thinks starting over might be the fix.
An excerpt: “I’ve worked nonstop since 2015, and it’s starting to catch up with me. Nowadays, I find myself increasingly disillusioned with the need to work and gather money. Like, is the point of my life to go from one meeting to the next trying to upsell people and pretend I’m passionate about one fintech product or the other?”
If you’re interested in talking about your Naira Life story, this is a good place to start.
Find all the past Naira Life stories here.
