₦airaland Forum

Reach me on hadediong@gmail.com as I can't access my email used in registering on NL.

dopedan:
What did she or he study

Banking and Finance.

Omoawoke:
What do you mean by Analyst in a bank?

Data analyst? financial analyst? Business analyst? Investment analyst?

What does PA mean? Without this information , sorry no advice can make sense

Sales analyst.

Personal Assistant

Ozap:
Also the politics in FMCG is not a joke, you need to be mentally strong.

I would advice you begin your career in a bank as an ET (considering age) if its not favourable you can always become a PA in an FMCG at any age. Speaking based on the age factor and considering that you're a lady.

The decision is still yours to make, considering that I do not have all the facts, I'm advising you based on the information you posted.

She's currently an ET in the bank for 2 years now. She's awaiting promotion though.

As regards the politics, the person will be dealing with c-suite executives in the FMCG. Is politics that strong in multinationals?

Thanks for your advice though.

being:
Just based on what u wrote-stay as an analyst.. u can always get better jobs in the same line of work..
Though u might need to say what the 2 salaries are and what kind of analyst work- treasury analyst ? Accountant? Credit analyst? Legal analyst?

Sales analyst.
Currently earns 370k monthly and will earn 570k monthly if she accepts the role.

thesicilian:
That's double the advantage already. Don't dull

Thanks

thesicilian:
This is not the time to consider experience or career progression. Which one pays more?

The FMCG pays more and it's not far from her house.

A friend of mine is confused and will like to know if to remain as an analyst (ET) in a bank or become a PA in a multinational FMCG.

Kindly advise.

Tassie:
Hi everyone, how are you all doing it? My application for experienced hire has not progressed on Smart Recruiter since, am I doing something wrong?

Dear Tassie, please reach me on.... as I can't access the email I used in registering my NL account.

In 1998, this 53-year-old retiree took charge of her financial freedom with small, consistent investments. Over the years, she strategically grew her assets and positioned herself for an early, comfortable retirement.

This is how she made it work in Nigeria.

As Told To Aisha Bello


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I Retired at 53 With Over ₦1 Billion in Assets — Here’s How I Did It
I invested early, and now my retirement is secured for life

Written By:
Aisha Bello
Last Updated February 1, 2025
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In 1998, this 53-year-old retiree took charge of her financial freedom with small, consistent investments. Over the years, she strategically grew her assets and positioned herself for an early, comfortable retirement.

This is how she made it work in Nigeria.

As Told To Aisha Bello

Model not affiliated with the story. Actual subject is anonymous.

I spent my entire career as an accountant in an insurance company, helping people plan for retirement. During my active years, I saw firsthand what happens when people don’t prepare early enough — the anxiety, the regrets, and the desperate attempts to stretch out insufficient pensions.

I was 26 when I received my first paycheck, and I never wanted that to be me.

Also, I didn’t grow up rich. From a young age, I understood that if I wanted financial security when I was older, I had to build it myself. So, while most people were thinking about how to spend their salary, I was thinking about my retirement plans.

That’s why, from my first paycheck, I made a non-negotiable rule: save and invest 40% of my income, no matter what.

27 years later, I retired at 53 as a director, with a portfolio worth over ₦1 billion spread across real estate, stocks, bonds, forex, and fixed deposits. Over the next 20 years, I’ll also receive a monthly pension of ₦500,000.

This didn’t happen by luck. It was the result of deliberate decisions, smart investments, and some hard lessons along the way.

Breaking down my Retirement Portfolio
Here’s what my assets look like today:


Now, let’s talk about how I built each of these.

Fixed Deposit: The early money move that made a difference (₦65M)
In 1997, I started my career as an entry-level accountant, earning ₦16,000 per month. At this point, the Nigerian minimum wage was ₦450 before President Olusegun Obasanjo passed a new wage bill to give workers ₦5,500 in 2000.


At the time, I wasn’t investing; I was just saving aggressively. But everything changed when a friend at National Bank introduced me to fixed deposits.

That small decision laid the foundation for the rest of my financial journey.

My organisation had a unique payment structure: I received a portion of my salary monthly, while the rest was paid upfront at the beginning of the year. My basic salary (₦16,000) accounted for 60% of my total income (₦26,000 per month), while the remaining 40%, which covered housing and furniture allowances, was paid in bulk annually.

In 1998, I decided to take a risk with my annual upfront salary, which was about ₦128,000.

Subsequently, I saved my annual upfronts in fixed deposits with the National Bank until the bank failed to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s capital requirement in 2002. The CBN took control, and three years later, the bank was acquired by Wema Bank. Afterwards, I made fixed deposits with different banks to grow my savings.

Today, I no longer use banks for fixed deposits — except for VFD Microfinance Bank, where I’m a shareholder. Instead, I invest through asset management companies like Vetiva, FSDH and Anchoria because of their higher interest rates.

For instance, GT Bank’s fixed deposit rate is 5.25% per year, and FSDH’s returns can be up to 10% per annum, depending on the investment amount.

Right now, I have ₦65 million in fixed deposits and earn fixed interest annually.

Real Estate: My biggest asset class (₦500M)
I’ve always believed that owning property is key to financial security in Nigeria.

In 2001, I bought my first property in Isolo, Lagos, for ₦7 million. When I sold it in 2008, its value had appreciated to ₦100 million, a 1328% increase.

In 2009, I bought a plot of land in Ajah for ₦3 million. Seven years later, I sold it for ₦45 million. The value skyrocketed because of rapid development in the area; new housing projects were being built, and the road network improved significantly, driving more people to rent homes there.


I currently own three properties in Lagos worth a combined ₦500 million and earn ₦10 million in rental income from each property annually.

FGN Bonds: My safety net (₦300M)
I prioritise security, so Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds have always been part of my plan. And as an accountant, I’ve always known about them.

FGN bonds are managed by the Debt Management Office (DMO), which allows the government to borrow money from citizens in exchange for interest payments.

Regular FGN bonds require a minimum of ₦50 million, and these predominantly long-term investments range from three to fifty years.

FGN Savings Bonds, which are short-term, offer a more accessible option. They have a minimum subscription of ₦5,000 and a two- to three-year term. Once the bond matures, the principal is returned.

With FGN Savings Bonds, I receive quarterly interest (coupon payments), while longer-term FGN bonds pay interest twice a year. At the beginning of every month, the government issues savings bonds for those who want to buy; the most recent interest rate was around 18%.

My children also have FGN Savings Bonds, and they’re already earning passive income, with quarterly interest payments deposited into their accounts. Since they don’t need the funds, I reinvest their earnings to compound their wealth over time.

To get FGN bonds, you need an agent. I have bought through GT Bank, FSDH, and Vetiva in the past, but I currently use Afrinvest. I reviewed their financials while working, so I knew it was safe to go through them.

I hold both short- and long-term FGN bonds worth ₦300 million.

Foreign Exchange Investment: Beating inflation with hard currency ($25,000)
For foreign exchange investments, I use Zenith Bank and FSDH for fixed deposits and Vetiva for my Eurobond investments. This is different from online forex trading, where people actively buy and sell various currencies to make a profit. Forex trading is high-risk and requires active monitoring.

I focus on foreign currency investments by depositing dollars in fixed-income instruments like Eurobonds and dollar-denominated fixed deposits. This protects my money from naira devaluation while earning a stable return.

I started investing in forex two years ago when the naira started losing value. My initial investment of $23,500 has since grown by 6%.

Stocks: Slow and steady growth (₦22M)
I invested heavily in stocks until the 2008 stock market crash changed everything. The market dropped by at least 70%, and people lost their lives over the financial ruin. At the time, I had invested ₦500,000 and later bought rights issues worth ₦4 million to increase my shares. Rights issues allow existing shareholders to buy more shares when a company wants to raise capital.

The Nigerian stock market has only recently regained some stability. After the 2008 crash, I stopped actively investing in stocks, though I held the ones I already owned. I still receive annual dividends from solid companies like GTB, First Bank, Flour Mills, Nestlé, and Transcorp Hotels. At this point, I’ve already gotten my initial investment and continue to earn from them.

The only new stock I’ve bought recently is VFD Microfinance because I trust the company’s growth potential. I initially invested ₦5 million, then bought their rights issue for ₦8 million.

Today, my stock portfolio is valued at ₦22 million.

Anyone interested in stocks can’t just walk into the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) building on Lagos Island to buy shares; you need a licensed stockbroker. They handle buying and selling on your behalf. I used to use Meristem but now work with FSL Capital Limited.

Pension: The passive income that gives me peace of mind (₦500K/Month)
In 2004, the federal government introduced a new pension scheme that required me to contribute 8% and my employer 10% of my salary towards retirement.

I also had the option for voluntary pension contributions, which I locked into because it meant more pension income. Before this, we had a fixed system where every employee had to pay ₦4 monthly, while the employer added ₦10. That didn’t do anything, but the new scheme meant my pension was directly proportional to what I earned in service.

When it comes to pensions in Nigeria, you can either choose Programmed Withdrawal (PW) or Annuity. With Programmed Withdrawal, you receive a set amount of money for a set period, say 10 or 20 years, after which the payments stop.

An annuity, on the other hand, is paid for life. When you opt for an annuity, your money is transferred to a life insurance company that administers income until you die. This type of pension is for life but can be transferable to living family members based on the specific terms of the contract.

I opted for Programmed Withdrawal because, as an accountant, I prefer to have control over my finances. With an annuity, I’d need to transfer my entire balance to an insurance company and receive fixed payments for life. I don’t need any company to manage my money; I have the experience. With Programmed Withdrawal, my funds remain invested, and I can still benefit from returns.

I now receive a monthly pension of ₦500,000 and will continue to receive that for the next twenty years.

In addition, I bought a personal pension plan from the insurance company where I worked. A year before retiring, I stopped the plan, took my money, and invested it in other assets.

Investment Diversification: Not all eggs in one basket
If a project requires funding, I liquidate some of my investments to finance it. Then, when I have more funds available, I’ll reinvest.

But the rules are different with government bonds. If I invest in a two- or three-year bond, I wait until maturity to access my funds. Although I can sell the bond, it’s not a liquid asset, and I won’t get my money back immediately.

In contrast, fixed deposits with banks are more flexible. If I invest in a one-month fixed deposit, I can withdraw my funds at the end of the month or even before that if needed.

I’ve had real estate projects that required funding, so I terminated some investments to finance them. Then, when I generated returns, I reinvested what I took out.

I believe in diversifying my investments, so I don’t put all my eggs in one basket. I mix fixed deposits, government savings bonds, real estate, and shares. I’m also into foreign exchange investments. If I decide to run a business now and invest some funds, that’s diversification.

This way, I can rely on others for support if anything happens in one sector.

My Two Cents on Investing For The Future
Economic challenges are constant – inflation, downturns, market volatility, and instability have always existed and won’t stop. Regardless of any economic downturn, you must plan and invest towards your retirement to ensure a secure financial future. My two cents:

Start early, no matter how small.
The best time to start investing is with your first paycheck.
Prioritise investments over saving. Think of savings as money you can access anytime, but it doesn’t grow much. And investments as money locked for a period, earning higher interest.
When you save, your money sits in the bank, earning minimal interest, but when you invest, you put your money to work.
Don’t worry if the interest seems small at first; consistency is key.
Increase your investments as your income grows.
Aim to save at least 30% of your salary.
If 30% is too much, start lower and increase it gradually.
Remember to make voluntary pension contributions. I recommend using a pension fund administrator (PFA) like Stanbic IBTC Pension Manager because they reinvest your contributions, allowing your pension balance to grow with the added interest or returns.
Bottom Line
Don’t be greedy about earning high interest rates. Explore low-risk investments, start investing early, be consistent, and aim to invest at least 30% of your income.



https://www.zikoko.com/money/how-to-prepare-for-retirement-in-nigeria/

I thought he has been arrested.

What did I just read?
Nigerian married women are STRONG. It is well with you ma.
How'd you go through this without HBP?

Why aren't you exploring adoption?

Why not try to be religious again and see your health transform.

franchasofficia:
God bless the few Nigerian women like you, your type are rare if you actually do all you said and I pray God strengthens you the more.


My wife is not perfect in this regard, she is not as bad as others but she is not perfect to the extent I desire in that regard, though with my help and constant scolding she has improved very well.



I am always wondering why it is too difficult to love and care for other people's children living under the same roof with us the same we treat and care for our own kids.


Men don't have problem with this, it's usually the Nigerian women and it always keep me wondering why most are so mean to people that are not biologically related to them, especially those working for them or with them

Amen.

The men that don't have a problem with it should ensure that no maltreatment happens under their roof. A man's wife will be beating a minor and he'll not warn her sternly to desist from it or send the maid away.
Who heads the home in this households sef?
You see the difference in the dressing of their children and the minor most times. Haba!
Even the church doesn't talk against this in the east. Rev fathers/pastors are supposed to speak up.

franchasofficia:
Not about doing chores, Nigerian women generally are mean to anybody, especially minors that are not biologically their child. Whether you live in America, Europe, Asia, Africa or Mars, it's an inherent trait in most Nigerian women anywhere they are, if you like come up with more defense line, the truth is bitter, you ladies need to do better, it takes nothing to love others genuinely, they mustn't be your offspring or blood before you can love them genuinely, that's my point Madame

I beg to disagree with you sir.
I don't maltreat my girls as I treat them how I want my children to be treated. I had to get another to follow me on my leave as the primary person is to write WAEC and JAMB and needs to focus.
You're married and have a wife, does she fall into the category you classify most of us?
My mum always told me to treat them well and it'll go a long way in how my children will be cared for in my absence. My son lives with my girls and grandparents and he's in good condition. My relatives complain that I spoil my girl but I choose to satisfy my conscience and do what is right.
I believe that we can also do better if the husband says NO MALTREATMENT in my house. Abi the men ill treat their wives and they pour the frustration on the maids?

Inasmuch as she's responsible go her actions, I want to think that their husband's give them room to maltreat these minors.

They may also be doing what was done to them in the past.

My girls and my children eat from the same plate, sleep on same bed..... I treat them how I want them to treat my children.
From time to time, I ask them are you overwhelmed, stressed, uncomfortable.....so that the can report and leave when they want. I've not changed any.

The last time I beat my first girl due to poor performance in school, I resolved never to beat her again which is over 2 years now. Na herself she dey do no be me.

I was told increment for outsourced staff was announced sometime ago.

He must have been disciplining (using the words of wicked husbands') her through beating but her offense this time deserved a HARD LESSON hence the severing of her hands.
One guy opened a thread last week that his sister is being strangulated, beaten amongst others by her spouse but he doesn't want to confront the hubby.
Man wey beat woman go still climb am, she go still do wifely duties for am....
Father Lord, may my daughter have a healthy self-esteem and financial independence to make the right decisions.

Choiceone1:
Obi fake miracle? U must be kidding, I can bet with everything that Ebuka Obi is not doing fake miracle

I never said he was. Please reread my post.

Wait o! This OP sef, why wasn't he transferred to a small church to build on the mainland or in another state.
If they transfer and reshuffle pastors, why not Pastor ID.
He has always been in COD, he was moved to Ebutte Meta recently before he finally left, why didn't he stay, serve his suspension......
Island is the deal breaker right?

fx45:
We're not talking morality, we're talking law. The burden of proof lies on the accuser to present substantial evidence backing up the accusations

I thought the business is embedded in morality.

fx45:
The burden of proof is on the accuser

Not the accused who is in the business, a brand with a name to protect?

When the disciples doubted Jesus upon his resurrection, he asked them to touch his hands as a proof.

Why is the MOG not proud to show the move of God's power?

Elisha and the prophets of Baal, he told the Israelites to come and watch the move of God's power.

InvertedHammer:
/
Ebuka Obi is just a popular content creator.

Nothing special.

The only difference between him and Cubana Chief Priest is that he is hiding under religion. What power?

/

Please don't let him come for you o.

MayHod comfort their families.

ZombieDredd:
Performing miracles is not a wrestling contest where you call all and sundry to come and witness...
I speak not for the man, but to clarify your wrong assumption

How does he prove he's not fake as accused?

If truly Ebuka Obi isn't doing fake miracles, why not invite Ijele to see you perform to prove him wrong than keep him behind bars.
Anyways Zion!
Almost all Kekes in Orile has his sticker.

It is well with them.