The .ng Academy recently held its highly anticipated quarterly finance-focused webinar titled “Smart Investing & Wealth Management for Professionals.” This session is part of a broader initiative by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) to empower professionals with the financial knowledge required to thrive in the digital economy. While NiRA’s core mandate lies within the DNS ecosystem, this webinar underscored its commitment to holistic digital development, including financial preparedness.
The session opened with a presidential address delivered by the President of NiRA. He emphasized the association’s vision to contribute meaningfully beyond the technical sphere by equipping Nigerians, especially professionals, with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly digital and financially complex world. He stressed that a prepared digital economy is not just about infrastructure but also about people who are financially informed and ready to scale sustainably.
Facilitated by Dr. Adedeji Ajadi, a seasoned banking leader, the webinar focused on practical ways professionals can build wealth starting with the income they currently earn, whether monthly salaries or freelance gigs.
Dr. Ajadi described smart investing as the strategy that bridges the gap between income and long-term wealth. This webinar builds upon earlier sessions that introduced financial planning fundamentals. It provided a hands-on, strategic roadmap to help professionals understand where, when, and how to begin their wealth-building journey.
The Problem: Investing Without a Foundation
Dr. Ajadi highlighted a major problem: many Nigerian professionals are under the illusion that they are investing simply because they are “saving into” questionable platforms, often Ponzi schemes. While these may offer the illusion of quick returns, they are unsustainable and damaging in the long run.
He highlighted the two critical traits required for investing success: discipline and knowledge. Without these, your financial strategies will crumble.
Laying the Foundation for Wealth Building
Dr. Ajadi offered a practical framework professionals can follow:
- Start Planning for Retirement from Your First Job
The journey to financial independence begins with retirement planning. He urged professionals to adopt a mindset that acknowledges they will not work forever. This future-focused thinking brings clarity and structure to investment goals. - Don’t Spend Before You Save
Saving is not what you do with what is left; it must come first. Allocating funds for savings before discretionary spending is key. - Create a Budget and Stick to It
Budgeting is not optional. It provides a roadmap for managing expenses and is the first step toward serious saving and investing. - Build Your Savings Before You Invest
Investment without savings is like building a house without a foundation. Dr. Ajadi emphasized that one must save to invest, not invest without a safety net. - Start Saving Early
The power of compound interest is unlocked when saving starts early. It gives your money time to grow and work for you. - Set Clear Financial Goals
Professionals must define the life they want and set financial goals that reflect that vision. Clear goals help determine the type and structure of investments required. - Establish an Emergency Fund
No investment plan is complete without a dedicated emergency fund. This buffer helps you stay invested even during unexpected financial setbacks.
Types of Investments to Consider
The webinar also explored various investment instruments, tailored to different risk appetites and return expectations. These include:
- Treasury Bills – Low-risk government-backed instruments ideal for conservative investors.
- Commercial Papers – Short-term unsecured promissory notes offering higher returns but with slightly more risk.
- Stocks – Equities offering potential for high returns but requiring market knowledge and patience.
- Commercial Properties – Real estate investments that can generate consistent rental income and long-term appreciation.
Dr. Ajadi emphasized understanding risk levels, return timelines, and investment objectives before choosing any of the above. Investing without knowledge or risk assessment is gambling, not strategy.
Dr. Ajadi closed the session with a powerful reminder: “The later you start investing, the later you see results.” The best time to begin building wealth was yesterday; the second-best time is today.
The full video to this session will be available on our platforms soon.
If you’re a professional looking to start your financial planning and investment journey, we encourage you to take the first step. Reach out to us for more resources or recommendations at academy@nira.org.ng