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Nigeria’s Trade Agreements EXPOSED: How They Keep You Poor

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         Did you know Nigeria’s trade deals allow foreign companies to dominate while local businesses struggle?  While trade agreements can create opportunities, some agreements, policies, and economic arrangements work against Nigerians, limiting financial growth and keeping individuals, small businesses, and entire industries in a cycle of poverty. Agreements like: 1. Import-Dependent Trade Policies That Kill Local Production Agreements that allow duty-free imports of foreign products often make locally made goods uncompetitive. Nigerian producers struggle to match lower-priced imports, leading to job losses and factory shutdowns. Example: The influx of cheap textiles from China has destroyed Nigeria’s once-thriving textile industry. 2. One-Sided Foreign Investment Agreements  Some foreign firms enjoy long-term tax exemptions, while Nigerian businesses are burdened with multiple taxes. In addition to this, Many foreign companies in Niger...

FINANCIAL INSANITY: Definition, Symptoms, Cause and Cure

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      Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. Well financial insanity  holds the same definition but refers to one's financial life or situation. It can be seen as Making the same bad financial decisions(poor planning, gambling, overspending, etc) over and over again but expecting to be rich or financially free.        In Nigeria, this mindset or lifestyle of poor financial decisions coupled with unrealistic results is common and most times encouraged. What Does Financial Insanity Look Like? Here are some signs ;   1. Earning and Spending Without a Plan – No budget, no savings, just vibes. 2. Constantly borrowing to survive without a plan on how you’ll escape the debt cycle. 3. Relying on a sudden breakthrough or miracle without taking any action. 4. Ignoring Investments – Spending everything without growing any assets. 5. Lack of Financial Literacy – Not making efforts...

Do Traditional Beliefs Shape Your Money Habits For Better or Worse

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           Not everything the elders said about money is true. For example, Being the firstborn doesn’t mean carrying the whole family on your back— teach them to fish instead of feeding them forever . Times have changed and so should your mindset. Nigeria is a country rich in culture, tradition, and deeply rooted beliefs that shape various aspects of life, including money management. Many of them influence how Nigerians earn, spend, save, and invest money—most times negatively, and often in ways that hinder financial growth.  To the point where children will be expected to suffer the same struggles their parents experienced in order to get ahead. Struggles that are easily avoidable in our modern age. There are beliefs like; 1. The “Money Comes from the Spirit World” Belief Many Nigerians think wealth is either a divine blessing or a result of occult practices, rather than financial discipline or strategic planning. This makes people to ...

S1E1: The Village Project

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          Come closer friends, and let me tell you a tale. Tonight we write of Femi.. Ah Femi! His dream was simple—to build a grand house in his village so that everyone would see his success. And he did. A beautiful house, big and strong. But years passed, and the house remained empty, while Femi struggled to pay rent in the city.      But that’s not all. For you to understand this story you must also know the tale of The Latecomer:           Daniel waits for everyone to make money from an investment before joining as his way of making sure it’s a “safe investment”. He always waited. When stocks were cheap, he was afraid. When crypto was low, he was unsure. But when prices rose, he rushed in—only to lose all his money. You see, By then, the opportunity was gone, and he entered at the worst time. Do you now know the lesson here? Let me give you a clue…. Real investment is about growing wealth smartly, n...

“Money Is the Root of All Evil” – The Belief Keeping You Broke

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        The belief that money is the root of all evil has kept many Nigerians trapped in a cycle of poverty. This is a deeply rooted belief carried by old people who have misquoted and weaponized the Bible to demonize wealth and glorify poverty.          Nollywood has played a significant role in spreading and reinforcing this belief. In many films, wealth is seen as something very evil or dangerous that is often acquired by illegal and ungodly means. The rich are seen as villains and the rich characters in these films lose their wealth in an overly dramatic turn of events, reinforcing the idea that wealth is unsustainable or cursed.       Here is the most ironic and histerical part of the story. The poor and seemingly righteous characters who do little to no work, magically get really wealthy in the end. This creates a false idea that poverty is good and success will eventually come to those who ...

The True Cost of Education in Nigeria: Are School Fees Worth It?

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        Pretending the costs don’t exist is the fastest way to ruin your future. Ask the countless graduates who are still broke.   The job market doesn’t care about our certificates.. not as much as we want them to. Don’t mistake what could be a financial burden for a gateway to success. The reality is school is not for EVERYONE and the decision to pursue education should be based on careful planning and financial situation. What do we mean by this?     School fees, textbooks, accomodation, feeding, sorting, etc can drain family resources and not every family can afford the continuous expenses that come with attending traditional universities. What brings about financial instability is when parents force their children into it with the mindset that attending a traditional University will guarantee their success.     In today’s economy, having a degree rarely leads to a high paying job or stability. Technical skills, vocat...

Lessons from successful entrepreneurs: Taking a page from Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori’s (Kiekie) Playbook

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GZU’s Entrepreneur of the Month: March 2025 Edition: Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori (Kiekie)     Welcome to our Entrepreneur of the Month series , where we dive into the stories of trailblazing entrepreneurs and unpack the lessons they offer. This month, we’re spotlighting Kiekie—the Nigerian creative powerhouse, comedian, actress, and businesswoman who’s taken the entertainment and fashion world by storm. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to level up your financial game, Kiekie’s journey is packed with insights to inspire you. Here’s what we can learn from her success: 1. Embrace Versatility and Confidence Kiekie’s journey proves that confidence is currency. She didn’t stay in one lane—comedy opened doors, but she boldly stepped into acting, hosting, and fashion. Don’t limit yourself.  Every skill is a stepping stone, and every room you walk into is an opportunity—own it. Because confidence isn’t just about charisma—it’s curr...