Money isn’t just numbers it’s choices, risks, wins, and sometimes, expensive lessons and losses. #INVESTinSTORIES dives into the real-life journeys of Nigerians navigating wealth, work, and financial freedom. From first paychecks to big-money moves, every month we’re unpacking how people earn, hustle, spend, and invest in their future.
No jargon. No pressure. Just real stories about money, because everyone has one. 🚀
What do you do after losing it all in forex trading? For Musa, 37-year-old data analyst, the answer was clear: start over, get informed, and invest with intention. Now, he’s making better money moves with InvestNaija and watching his portfolio grow steadily. Let’s dive into how he’s turning a painful loss into long-term wealth.
What was your first Memory of Money? Did you grow up in a family that talked about money or investing, or did you figure it out on your own?
When I was growing up, my dad used to invest in stocks. I remember how excited he would get about the market until the 2008 crash happened. It hit him hard, and from then on, it made us develop a really negative mindset about investing. Everything changed when I started working at Nigeria’s leading investment bank and got introduced to InvestNaija. This experience has opened my eyes to a whole new world of investing. I’ve had access to the right information, tools, and support to try things out for myself. Slowly, I’ve started to build confidence and my own path to growing wealth.
Share a thing or two about yourself. Ideally a summary of your 'Money Life' or InvestINstory
I’ve tried it all crypto, Forex, Ponzi schemes, betting. I even had a plantain chips company and started an events company with friends. Some ventures brought in a little money, but most left me with losses. Looking back, I realised I was just earning money, not building wealth. InvestNaija changed that for me. It gave me the chance to be intentional about my finances, equipping me with the knowledge and tools I needed to make smarter decisions. My nest egg is still small, but every time I check my portfolio, I feel a sense of pride because now, I know I’m building something that lasts.
What’s your Smartest Financial move?
I believe my smartest financial move was signing up to InvestNaija. It has been a steady journey, but my wealth of knowledge and investment portfolio has grown significantly.
What’s a Money/financial dilemma you’re currently going through or you’ve been through?
I lost all my investments in Forex trading back in 2018. It was a painful experience one that left a lasting impression. That loss taught me an important lesson: never invest in schemes or products that lack a clear underlying asset or that I don't fully understand. It took a while to recover from that setback mentally and financially. But with time, I found the courage to start investing again, this time with more caution, knowledge, and intention.
Can you share the situation that led you to invest a large sum of funds in Forex trading?
I was introduced to Forex trading by a close friend. He had just started and was gradually building his portfolio. He assured me it was low risk, and that with time, I’d see my investments grow. I trusted him; he’s someone I respect, but looking back, I realise I should have done my own due diligence. When my portfolio began to decline, he was the first to alert me. He remained optimistic and believed he could help recover the losses. But in the end, I lost everything. That experience taught me some hard but valuable lessons: Never invest without proper knowledge,
Understand your personal risk tolerance, and always assess risk independently no matter who’s advising you. It was a painful chapter, but one that shaped how I approach investing today.
What was the hardest part about starting again after losing everything?
The hardest part about starting afresh is coming to terms with the lost time.
But as my mentor always says, “The best time to start investing was yesterday, the next best time is now.” This time, I knew I had to equip myself with the right knowledge first, before putting any money in. I started small, fully aware that I’ve become more risk averse. But with the knowledge I’ve gained through InvestNaija, I’m beginning to see real growth in my portfolio and for the first time, I can truly enjoy my gains in peace.
How has your view of risk changed over time since you’ve become a Family Man?
When I began my investment journey, I was young and driven by the desire to maximise returns, so I naturally leaned toward high-risk investments.
But after getting burned, I became much more cautious. It forced me to reassess my risk tolerance. Now, as a family man, my approach has evolved. I’ve moderated my risk appetite, but I’m still actively seeking opportunities with strong returns. I’ve diversified my portfolio to include Low-risk investments like money market mutual funds, a significant portion in moderate-risk options like bond funds, and a considerable stake in high-risk assets like equities.
Because of the time I lost earlier, I’m now more inclined to grow my portfolio consistently but this time, I’m doing it with knowledge and intention. Before I invest, I make sure I understand what I’m getting into. It’s a new journey, and this time, I know I'm doing it the right way.
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