FatCat Culture

         In many communities across Africa, Asia, and beyond, bride price remains a significant marital tradition. Often presented as a gesture of honor to the bride’s family for raising a daughter, it can symbolize respect and family unity.  Yet, in some contexts, this practice carries an uncomfortable undertone: it can imply that women are goods to be exchanged, that love requires payment, and that marriage prioritizes economic ties over mutual partnership. For generations, bride price has been called tradition. But for many women, especially where it’s transactional, it can feel like a contract—one that shapes their value and limits their freedom. By exploring its complexities, we can honor cultural heritage while addressing its challenges in today’s world. Where Bride Price Shapes Marriage Dynamics Nigeria Among Nigeria’s Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa communities, bride price is a cultural cornerstone, ranging from symbolic gifts to su...

                    Imagine you’re holding a map that shows exactly where every penny of your money goes. With this map, you can spot detours, eliminate dead-ends, and choose the fastest, most fulfilling path to your dream life. That map is your tracked expenses. Yet, most people wander through life without one—and they wonder why they never reach the financial destination they envision. In this article, we’ll explore: 1. Why most people don’t track their money 2. Why tracking expenses is crucial 3. The costs of neglecting this habit (for individuals and businesses) 4. Practical steps to begin and sustain expense tracking 5. My personal take on how tracking transforms your relationship with money         Throughout, I’ll pace you gently—like a friend on your side—exposing emotional traps without judgment, and guiding you toward a healthier money mindset. Why Most People Don’t Track Their Money...

        There’s a silent pressure many Nigerians live with—a belief passed from parent to child, teacher to student, and even pastor to congregation—that only a select few careers lead to wealth. We’ve all heard it: “ Be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, banker—na that wan dey bring money. ” This belief is so deeply rooted in our culture that even when people know it’s not working anymore, they still hold on, because letting go feels like failure.  But the truth? This mindset is not just outdated—it’s harmful . It creates false hope, unnecessary competition, career frustration, and in many cases, poverty disguised as “ professional success .” So let’s talk about it honestly. Let’s pace ourselves through this conversation—because it’s not about attacking what you studied or what your parents believe. It’s about freeing you from a trap that has held too many back for too long. The Roots of the Myth         In the past, these ...

          There’s a silent struggle happening across Nigeria. You won’t always hear it in the headlines, but it’s real. It’s in the quiet sigh of an old man at a local canteen, checking if he has enough money to buy food. It’s in the tired eyes of an elderly woman selling tomatoes by the roadside.  These are the faces of our retirees—men and women who served the country, taught in schools, built public infrastructure, worked for decades—and still find themselves broke and struggling. This isn’t just about unpaid pensions. Some of them do get their monthly pension, even if it’s small. The deeper problem is that many of them retire expecting life to get easier. They think it’s time to “ enjoy ” after years of labor. But what they don’t realize is this: retirement doesn't end financial responsibility—it shifts it. And if you're not ready for that shift, it will shock you. Let’s talk about it. Not to judge, but to understand—and guide. “ I Worked Ha...

        Let’s start with the truth many are afraid to say out loud: No matter how grateful you are for life, you wouldn’t choose to be born into poverty if you had a choice. Now imagine a child—your own child—being born into that same struggle not because the world is unfair, but because you refused to pause, think, and plan. This is where we are in many parts of Nigeria. In some Muslim and traditional communities, polygamy is seen as a norm, even a symbol of status. But more and more, we’re seeing how this practice, when done carelessly and without financial discipline, is keeping entire families—entire generations—locked in poverty. Let’s be honest with ourselves for once. Too many men who are barely able to feed themselves are rushing into marriages with two, three, sometimes four women. They start building large families—ten, twelve children or more—without having a stable source of income. Some do it out of pride. Others do it because culture or reli...

           In Nigeria, networking or “ connection ” is everything. From landing a job, securing a government contract, getting out of police trouble, or getting into university—you often hear people say, “ I get person for there. ” Networking is deeply woven into the culture. But here’s what many Nigerians don’t realize: not all connections are created equal. There are high-quality connections—built on skill, mutual value, goal alignment, and purpose—and there are low-quality connections, often rooted in sentiment, proximity, familiarity, or survival. Understanding the difference is the first step in building a network that actually adds value to your life , takes you to the next level and brings success. 1. High-Quality Networks: Skill + Value + Shared Vision        These are intentional relationships, not just acquaintances or people you know. In Nigeria, the misconception is that “ having a rich uncle ” or “ k...

         Scams are not new in Nigeria. From Ponzi schemes( MMM ) to fake investment platforms( CBEX ), to spiritual money doublers( Yahoo Plus ), and online frauds promising 200% ROI, and many Nigerians have lost their life savings chasing unrealistic gains.  But the question is : why is this so common? It goes far deeper than “ greed .” In Nigeria, falling for scams isn’t just about ignorance or greed. It’s psychological . It’s cultural . It’s systemic . From the promise of “ free things ” to a deeply embedded culture of manipulation, scams have taken different shapes beyond emails and Ponzi schemes. Let’s break it down 1. Poverty-Driven Desperation:        When survival is the goal, logic is not always in the picture. In a country with high unemployment and low salaries, a lot of people are looking for a shortcut—not out of laziness but out of necessity or desperation. Scammers exploit this desperation with the promise ...