Do you remember how much your first job paid you? Ah yes. My first job was at the Federal Palace Hotel in 1988. This job came after I finished catering school. My salary was ₦125; I also got an allowance that took my money up to ₦165. Back then, taking a taxi to work cost […]

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is Mercy. She’s a […]

What is the first thing you ever did for money?  Haha. Farming. The first thing I did was farming.  Do you remember the first money you made from farming? I farmed about three plots of land and harvested two bags of rice and sold it for no more than ₦4,000. This was around 2008, and […]

As the cost of living goes up and the Naira weakens, we present a list of ways to preserve the value of your Naira savings. 8) Dollars Hello, Nigeria my people. 7) Bitcoin The best way to unfuck yourself from the Nigerian government. 6) Trader Moni This is obviously the only “currency” the Nigerian government […]

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is a Medical doctor. […]

What’s your oldest memory of money? Haha, I know this question from Naira Life.  Hahaha, an OG.  I remember finding some money in my aunt’s purse. She had just relocated to London, and she left some naira in her bag. I think she forgot it. Anyway, my siblings and I took it and didn’t tell […]

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject of today’s “A Week In The Life” is a 24-year-old caterer […]

Let’s start with the old memory of you that has money in it.  That will be my pocket money. I’m sure I was in JSS 1. My mum would give me ₦50 to school and tell me to bring back ₦30 change. Then whenever my dad was around, my dad would give me ₦100 and […]

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject of today’s “A Week In the Life” is Jumoke, and she’s […]

Tell me about your oldest memory of money. Hmm, I didn’t acknowledge the existence of money till I was in secondary school. Prior to that, whatever I needed was always provided. I’m not saying that this changed in secondary school, but there was a stark difference between what my mates had and what I had. […]

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject of today is Femi, a writer at Zikoko. He talks about […]

This week’s #NairaLife is an attempt to explore some of the costs that exist and prices people have to pay because SARS just won’t leave them alone. Tell me about the first time it happened.  To avoid traffic, I used to leave the house very early – as early as 4 am – and leave […]

If you’re one of those people who like to hide their money from family and friends, then this list is for you: 1) Deflect comments and compliments. Some examples: “Don’t whine me.” “It’s not like that.” 2) Always say “we thank God.” Person: How are things? You: We thank God. Person: How will you buy […]

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject of today’s A Week In The Life is Tope. She’s a […]

When you think about money, what is the oldest memory that comes to your mind? Growing up with a struggling single mother. She couldn’t finish school when she got pregnant and had to drop out. What was she studying? Accounting. She was also working part-time at a cosmetics store, where she met my dad. They […]

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject for today is a 24-year-old sailor in the navy. He talks […]

Tell me about the day you knew something wasn’t right.  I woke up in the middle of the night feeling funny. I’d slept like two hours earlier, but something woke me up. I decided to check my blood pressure  – I’m hypertensive.  Wait, how old are you?  27 soon. Anyway, I checked my BP, and […]

Being a corps member has to be one of the most stressful phases in the life of a Nigerian youth. And you know what makes it all the more stressful? The money aspect. It is never enough. 1. The struggle of waiting for allowance every month. Especially when it’s already 20-something on the calendar and […]

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject for today is Mr M, a businessman and smuggler. He talks […]

When would you say you first “knew money”? I have always wanted to be rich since I was 10. I started reading newspapers at an early age, and I learnt about MKO Abiola’s money and generosity. I would write on my school notes the number of houses I wanted to build, the number and names […]

If you live in Nigeria, then this quiz shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for you. See for yourself below:

Recently, I had an interesting money situation where a friend defaulted on a loan. From the lies to the silence, I felt somehow. Especially because of the lies and fake anger. I assumed that a friend wouldn’t treat me like that. Motivated by my experience, I went asking people for their own money experience. Here’s […]

I stay home and trade Bitcoin with my trading partner almost every day. It’s the most exciting thing I’ve ever done in my life.

“A Week In The Life” is a weekly Zikoko series that explores the working-class struggles of Nigerians. It captures the very spirit of what it means to hustle in Nigeria and puts you in the shoes of the subject for a week. The subject for today is Mr A, a mortician. He talks about his […]