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<\/p>\nIt\u2019s easy to assume that people who earn more money have fewer worries. After all, wouldn\u2019t most of our problems disappear if we had a bigger account balance?<\/p>\n
But that\u2019s not usually the case.<\/p>\n
From unemployed Nigerians wondering when their next income opportunity will come, to high earners carrying the weight of family expectations and future planning, financial anxiety shows up differently at every income level. We asked Nigerians across different income brackets about their biggest worry. Here\u2019s what they said.<\/p>\n
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\u20a640k\/month \u2014 Anita*, Unemployed, 26, F<\/p>\n
I lost my job last year and had to move back home. Since then, the only income I have is from the odd quick gig and, thankfully, the generosity of my older siblings, who send me \u20a620k each per month to sort out my data and small personal needs. My biggest worry is that I won\u2019t be able to stand on my own. The cost of food, electricity and other amenities is so high that I\u2019m worried that even if I find a job, I won\u2019t be able to afford to live on my own.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u20a6180k\/month \u2014 Tobi*, Customer Service Rep, 28, M<\/p>\n
My biggest worry is one unexpected expense wiping me out completely. If I get sick, or if my phone spoils, I have no cushion. The last time my screen broke, I had to borrow to fix it, and it took months to pay it off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Most months, I\u2019m just trying to make sure my salary stretches to the next payday. Saving? I\u2019ve never heard of it. I keep hoping to find a better paying job.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Naira Life Conference<\/a>\u00a0is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria.\u00a0Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.\u00a0Secure your spot here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u20a6450k\/month \u2014 Opeyemi*, Executive Assistant, 27, F<\/p>\n I earn enough to survive, but I don\u2019t feel secure. I can afford to sort out my rent, transportation and feeding, but that takes most of my income. Also, price inflation makes it feel like I\u2019m moving backwards.\u00a0<\/p>\n I worry that I\u2019m getting older without making meaningful progress toward major goals like buying a car, owning property or even starting a business. But I see how people complain about how difficult it is to find a job so I\u2019m to scared to leave this one. At least I can eat.<\/p>\n \u20a6750k\/month \u2014 Chinelo*, Marketer, 31<\/p>\n People assume life gets easier once you start earning more, but my expenses just kept rising.\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m helping my younger siblings through school, contributing to family bills and trying to save up to japa.\u00a0<\/p>\n My biggest worry right now is losing my job. They laid off a few people some months ago, and my mind hasn\u2019t been settled since then. I have so many responsibilities, and losing this job right now would scatter a lot if things I\u2019ve been carefully putting in place.<\/p>\n \u20a61.4M\/month \u2014 Kelvin*, Software Developer, 28, M<\/p>\n My primary concern is stagnation. I worked really hard to get to where I am, but it\u2019s as if the economy is trying to outrun my salary.\u00a0<\/p>\n I worry about whether my current income will be enough in five years, given how quickly costs are rising. Soon I\u2019ll start a family, is this the salary I\u2019ll use to pay school fees?<\/p>\n I think constantly about investing, building additional income streams and making sure I\u2019m not relying on a single employer.\u00a0<\/p>\n Get More Zikoko Goodness in Your Mail<\/p>\n Subscribe to our newsletters and never miss any of the action<\/p>\n \u20a62M\/month \u2014 Fola*, Business Owner, 39, F<\/p>\n I spend most of my time worrying about my business. I\u2019m more focused on the future than the present.\u00a0<\/p>\n I worry about being able to pay my staff, about whether people are stealing from the business, about how the profit projections look, about investor feedback, the list goes on and on. Meanwhile, I still have personal responsibilities that need my attention, like my family and their needs. It can be a lot to handle for one person.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u20a6150k\/month \u2014 Tife*, Receptionist, 26, F<\/p>\n I worry about getting stuck. I\u2019m grateful to have a job, but I don\u2019t know how people are supposed to build a future on this kind of income. Rent keeps increasing, prices keep rising, and every year that passes makes me anxious that I\u2019m not making enough progress.<\/p>\n See what other people are saying about this article online.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NL-Announcement_Newsletter-1024-512.jpg\")
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