Are you one of those people who leave ₦10,000 or more sitting idle in your bank account, doing absolutely nothing? If yes, I’m here to tell you: it’s time to put that money to work.

We often hear that the rich get richer, but how do they do it? Here’s the truth:

They don’t just work for money; they make their money work for them.

You should be doing the same.

And no, I’m not talking about shady, get-rich-quick schemes. We’ve all been tempted (and burned) by those shiny promises like MMM, fake crypto projects, or random WhatsApp “investment” groups.

Now imagine this: what if all the money you lost in those high-risk, unrealistic ventures had been placed in safe, credible investments instead? How much wealth would you have built by now?

It’s time to shift gears.

Who Am I

Hi, I’m Anne. I’m a Chartered Accountant, former banker, currently working in the insurance sector and a business owner.

On this blog, I talk about:

Personal finance
Making more money
Investing wisely
Self-development for financial success

If this is something you care about, be sure to subscribe to my newsletters so you never miss a money-making tip. That said, here are the top 5 real investment options you can start with today, from low to high risk.

1. FGN Savings Bonds (Low Risk)

The FGN Savings Bond is issued by the Debt Management Office (DMO) on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Why You Should Consider It:

It’s one of the safest investments out there.
You're essentially lending money to the Nigerian government.
It’s fully backed up by the government.

Investment Details:

Minimum investment: ₦5,000
Maximum: ₦50 million
Returns: Over 16% for a 2-year tenor and 17%+ for a 3-year tenor (as of the latest offer)
Interest Payment: Paid quarterly (every 3 months)
Tax-Free: You don’t pay tax on the interest earned.

At the end of your tenor (2 or 3 years), you get your full capital back.

How to Get Started:

Talk to licensed stockbrokers like Stanbic IBTC, FBN Quest or ARM Securities. You can also use the Afrinvestor 2.0 app.

2. Fintech Platforms like Optimus (Low–Medium Risk)

Fintech platforms are transforming the industry. I recommend Optimus, which is powered by Afrinvest Asset Management Limited, an investment bank licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and operational for over 25 years.

Why I Like Optimus:

Low entry point: Start with just ₦1,000
Flexible savings: Set auto-debit instructions—weekly, monthly or daily
Competitive returns: 12%–20% annually

Optimus is one of the few platforms consistently adjusting rates upward to favor investors. Register on Optimus here: https://www.optimus.ng/auth/signup?ref=4de524

3. Money Market Funds (My Personal Favorite)

This was my first-ever investment and it holds a special place in my journey.

Money Market Funds are mutual funds that invest in:

Treasury bills
Government bonds
Commercial papers
Short-term securities

Why Choose This?

Capital preservation: Your capital is 100% safe.
interests: Currently between over 20%
Low entry point: Start with as little as ₦5,000

Note: While your capital is safe, interest rates may fluctuate based on market performance.

Trusted Platforms:

I’ve used Stanbic IBTC, FBNQuest and ARM Investment Managers and had great experiences with them. You can get started with Stanbic IBTC money market fund here: https://www.stanbicibtcfundsmanagement.com/invest-now-x8p45e48

4. The Nigerian Stock Market (Medium–High Risk)

This is where you begin taking calculated risks. You need to observe the health of the industry in general.

Why Invest in Nigerian Stocks? You’ll stand a chance of enjoying;

Capital appreciation: Share prices increase over time.
Dividends: Earn passive income multiple times yearly.

My Story:

I bought MTN shares at ₦160 per unit. Today, they’re trading at ₦230+. Beyond that, I have received dividends every 6 months. So I’m winning on both ends growth and income.

Use investment firms like:

FBN Quest
Stanbic IBTC
ARM
Afrinvest

Or go digital with apps like Bamboo, which makes buying Nigerian shares easy from your phone. Get started with bamboo here: https://app.investbamboo.com/invite/anne162508

5. The U.S. Stock Market (ETFs) that is the Exchange Traded Funds – Higher Returns, Long-Term Play

If you’re confused about what to buy, go global.

Instead of buying individual U.S. stocks, such as Apple, Meta and Microsoft, consider investing in ETFs—Exchange Traded Funds. They bundle many companies into a single investment.

I Recommend ETF: VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF)

Invests in top U.S. companies like Apple, Amazon, Google etc.
Diversified and lower risk than buying one company
Average return: 15% over the last 10 years
2024 return: Over 26%
Dividends: Paid quarterly

Remember: You don’t need millions to start building wealth, just the mindset to make your money work for you. Whether you're starting with ₦1,000 or ₦100,000, the key is to begin now, stay consistent and keep learning. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow. So, pick one investment option from this list and take that first step today.

Order this e-book to make your journey easier for you and get started on the right note: https://selar.co/1b8204 Or book a one on one investment and financial planning session with me here: https://selar.co/1b8204

Looking forward to working with you.

Cheers to your success.....

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