Zamai Banje

Category: Investing (page 1 of 3)

A collection of blog posts about investing. Here, Zamai Banje writes and discusses on investing and how it affects young individuals.

From Zero to Investor: 3 Investments for Beginners
From Zero to Investor: 3 Investments for Beginners
April 27, 2025

From Zero to Investor: 3 Investments for Beginners

Inflation is silently erasing your future wealth every day.

When you leave money sitting in a traditional savings account with a bank, it only earns 3-4% interest. Meanwhile, inflation runs at 15-20%. That means the ₦1,000,000 in your savings account today will only buy you ₦840,000 worth of goods next year.

After five years, your million naira will be worth less than ₦500,000 in today’s terms.

Your only solution is to invest.

However, the common problem regarding investments is the fear of loss.

Many people are paralysed by the fear of losing money, which prevents them from ever starting to invest. Fear of loss in investing is like being stuck in quicksand. The more you panic and resist, the deeper you sink.

However, suppose you educate yourself and understand the nature of the risk (the quicksand). In that case, you can find stable points (knowledge) to pull yourself out and eventually reach solid ground (successful investing).

Investing is like Planting a Money Tree

Investing is like Planting a Money Tree

Educate yourself to manage risk, rather than avoid it.

Investments for beginners start with education. Knowledge is your shield, and understanding is your sword. Arm yourself well before entering the financial battlefield.

Beware of information overload when searching for investments for beginners

Investment websites, financial news, constant market updates…

It’s easy to get lost and make impulsive decisions based on fear or hype. Beginner investors are feeling overwhelmed by the flood of information. There are blogs, YouTube videos, X posts, and financial jargon like “dividends,” “bull markets,” or “blockchain”.

The fear of choosing the “wrong” investment amplifies this problem and can force you to keep your money idle in a low-interest savings account, losing value to inflation.

To overcome these hesitations, here are three major investments for beginners you can make right now and the direct steps to undertake these investments:

1. INVEST IN U.S. STOCKS

Warren Buffett got wealthy through this investment.

He transitioned from buying stocks of companies in his country at a young age to owning major shares and eventually owning some of these companies.

Buffett got wealthy for two reasons. The stability of the United States (U.S.) economy was the first reason. And then his consistency, discipline and due diligence.

For U.S. Stocks, think about companies like Apple, Microsoft, or Amazon.  Even a small investment in these giants can yield significant returns over time.

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN U.S. STOCKS?

Today’s technology makes it possible to buy and sell U.S Stocks as a Nigerian.

For instance, I use a mobile app called Bamboo. Bamboo is a platform that allows you to use your Nigerian (or foreign) bank details to access these shares of U.S. Companies. There is also Trove, but I haven’t tried it out.

As a beginner, start with fractional shares.

Many platforms now allow you to buy a fraction of a share. This makes it accessible even with limited capital. So, instead of waiting until you can afford a whole share of a high-priced stock, begin with what you have.

You don’t need 1,000 shares of a top tech stock of a company in the USA to begin your investment journey. Start with 3 and grow from there.

Do your research and due diligence, too. You might find a more secure, faster and convenient way to buy U.S. stocks if your research is done right.

2. INVEST IN MUTUAL FUNDS

A mutual fund is a form of collective investment where money from many investors is pooled and invested in various securities (such as stocks, bonds, treasury bills, etc.) under the supervision of a fund manager.

In simpler terms, Mutual funds can be imagined as pizza slices where you are able to get extra value (in this case, profit) usually exclusive to the table of the wealthy.
​
I love mutual funds because of their stability, diversification and relatively competitive returns.

Invest in Index Funds, too.

An index fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks a specific market index, like the S&P 500. A Nigerian can now invest in an S&P 500 index fund through a platform like Bamboo or Trove, gaining exposure to 500 of the largest U.S. companies.

Generally, investing in mutual funds reduces individual stock risk and saves you the time and effort of researching and managing individual securities.

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN MUTUAL FUNDS?

You can always purchase mutual funds from licensed and authorised asset management companies.

For instance, I invest in mutual funds through Anchoria Asset Management Limited. There is also Stanbic IBTC and Zedcrest.

As usual, I advise you to gather knowledge and seek guidance before purchasing mutual funds.

3. INVEST IN CRYPTOCURRENCY

This is the most futuristic and arguably a debatable investment path on this list.

Think of cryptocurrency as the digital frontier of finance. It’s exciting and full of potential. But crypto is also with its own set of unknowns and risks.

For example, Bitcoin is a currency based on complex digital technology and solely traded on the Internet.

For a start, explore established cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or newer, promising projects with strong underlying technology.

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN CRYPTOCURRENCY?

In the past, I used mobile apps like Luno and Trust Wallet to buy and store my cryptocurrency.

And the returns were really impressive. Personally, I am still sceptical about how these digital currencies operates. So what I do now is to buy a small amount of crypto in Naira, withdraw the capital after a few months and leave the remaining volume in my crypto wallet.

Better safe than sorry. Maybe you can try this method too.

I have also found a safer, faster and better platform – Coinveto. The founder, Ofoegbu, is my friend, and I have bought cryptocurrencies from him and recommended his services to others for over three years. Great guy.

You can check the platform too.

The most important thing is… You must embrace technology and the role it is playing in modern society.

Technology is accelerating rapidly, entering virtually all sectors of the economy. And Money is one of them. So, endeavour to balance both your knowledge and experience before venturing into any investment.

Treat your investments as a diversified garden

Think of your financial portfolio as a garden that needs constant attention and care.

U.S. stocks from big companies are like reliable fruit trees that provide regular harvests (dividends). The sturdy trees that grow slowly but provide shade and stability to your garden are the mutual funds. Then, you have some exotic plants (cryptocurrencies) that can either thrive dramatically or wither unexpectedly.

Each plays a role in the overall health of your garden.

Be a good gardener. Your investment portfolio will always need regular review, rebalancing, and sometimes, complete restructuring. Be the investor who knows how to adapt to these conditions.

Investments for Beginners must go this route

Investments for Beginners must go this route

How to Go from Zero to Investor.

You don’t have to start big.

Start small because these methods far surpass leaving your money in the bank. What people also don’t realise is that your financial confidence compounds like money. Every small win gives you courage for a bigger step.

Your first ₦6k might not double, but your belief in yourself will.

For example, if you earn ₦120,000 monthly, commit to investing ₦6,000-₦12,000 consistently each month across your chosen platforms. Bamboo for U.S. Stocks, SEEDs by Anchoria for mutual funds, or Coinveto for Cryptocurrency.

Don’t overanalyse until you are paralysed.

Pick one platform. Invest a small amount. Learn from action, not just research.

Diversify like a Chef, not a gambler.

Start by allocating 50% of your investment contribution to stable stocks (e.g., S&P 500), 30% to mutual funds, and 20% to crypto. Then rebalance quarterly or yearly.

This is how investments for beginners work.

What if You Lose Money?

All investors lose money.

The key is losing small to learn and earn big. Never be discouraged by short-term fluctuations. Rather, focus on long-term growth. Investing is often a marathon, not a sprint.

Most beginners quit because they expect instant profits. Investing isn’t gambling. It’s planting seeds and nurturing them with patience.

You wouldn’t dig up a mango seed after 2 weeks and complain it hasn’t turned into a tree, would you?

Invest your time, knowledge and then your money in these investments.

Investments for Beginners

Investments for Beginners

Ponzi Schemes
Ponzi Schemes
April 20, 2025

Ponzi Schemes: Use This Checklist to Avoid Financial Ruin

Ponzi schemes keep leading people to financial ruin.

In April 2025, CryptoBridge Exchange, a fraudulent investment scheme known as CBEX, was believed to have bankrupted its believers and subscribers by 1.3 trillion naira.

Most people who did not join this scheme believed its participants were gullible and not street smart.

It reminded me of the previous Ponzi schemes I have been involved in, both the successful and the failed ones.

There are lessons to learn here. Please read to the end.

My First and Successful Experiences with Ponzi Schemes

In 2016, I invested money in MMM Nigeria.

I was still an undergraduate then. MMM Nigeria promised each investor a monthly return of 30% on their money. Their model was simple. You became a member of their forum by investing as little as 15,000 Naira. That money gets paid directly to another member. At the end of your 30-day cycle, you get paid by other members who recently registered.

On 13 December of that same year, the scheme was frozen. Accounts blocked. And the founders disappeared without a trace.

This was my first experience with a Ponzi Scheme. But it was not my last. Other schemes (like Twinkas, Givers Forum and a few others) replicated this business model:

Invest and tell other people to invest on their platform. Get your returns on the same platform. Then the platform ‘crashes’ a few months later.

It was not one of my proudest moments participating in those Schemes. It was a ‘Rob Peter to Pay Peter’ type of investment. But the profits paid my bills and food while in the university.

The Ponzi Clock

The Ponzi Clock

What are Ponzi Schemes, and how do they work?

Imagine you have a Shop that sells Plantain chips.

People give you money to buy plantain to make more chips, so you can eventually give them back more money than they gave you.

That’s how a real business works!

Now, imagine a fake plantain chips shop run by a tricky person. This person tells people, “If you give me some money, I promise to give you back even MORE money very soon!”

But here’s the secret: this tricky person doesn’t sell any plantain chips or do any real work to make more money.

Instead, when the first people want their extra money back, the tricky person uses the money that NEW people give them to pay the first people.

It looks like everyone is making money, right?

The first people are happy because they got more money back, and they tell their friends to join in! So, more and more people give their money to the tricky person.

This is called a Ponzi Scheme.

It’s a big money game where the early players get paid with money from the later players.

A Ponzi scheme is a tricky scam where someone promises to give people a lot of money if they invest with them. But instead of really earning money, the scammer just uses new investors’ money to pay the old investors.

But here’s the problem: eventually, the tricky person runs out of new people to give money.

When that happens, there’s no more money to pay anyone, and the whole thing falls apart.

The tricky person often disappears with all the money, and most people lose everything they put in.

So, a Ponzi scheme is a fake way to make money that relies on tricking new people into giving money to pay off the old people. It’s not a real business, and it always ends with most people losing their money.

My Last Experience with Ponzi Schemes

In 2020, A friend introduced me to a Customs officer who was into “forex trading”.

The customs officer offered a 100% return in 90 Days with monthly payouts. I cannot remember the full details, but my friend was in his third month of investment and was about to withdraw his principal and reinvest only the profit earned.

My plan was simple.

I did not ask questions. I did not ask which trading strategies this customs officer/forex trader employed. All I wanted to do to earn a profit, recover my principal and keep “cashing out”

Long story short, I lost one-third of my money because the business stopped paying me in the third month.

I eventually discovered that the forex trading business was simply money invested in MBA Forex. This was a Ponzi Scheme that crashed in 2020, just like MMM in 2016. Same Script, different actors.

This was my last experience losing money to any Ponzi scheme, and I will tell you why.

The Risk is not in the investment. The Risk is in the investor

Two people invest in the same thing. This could be a stock, a business, crypto or even a Ponzi scheme.

One person learns first, stays calm, and invests wisely. The other just guesses, follows the crowd, and panics when things go down. The investment didn’t change — the people did.

Here is a breakdown of what happens.

Person number 1 does their homework. They learn about the company, understand what it does, and don’t put all their savings into just that one company. They’re careful and think long-term.

Person number 2 hears from a friend that this company is offering a profitable investment. They don’t know anything about the company, but they put all their money into it, hoping to get rich quickly. When the investment goes bust, this money is gone for good.

This was never about Ponzi Schemes.

The Risk is in the Investor

The Risk is in the Investor

Now, look at these other examples and their key lessons:

Example 1: The “Money Doubling” WhatsApp Group

Someone adds you to a group chat that promises to double your money in 48 hours. You see payment screenshots flying everywhere.

People are hyped. You send ₦50k, hoping to get ₦100k back.

In this scenario, Scammers create FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to cloud your judgment. If it’s real, it will still be real tomorrow.

Key lesson: Never invest money based on urgency or pressure.

Example 2: The Pastor’s Investment Club

A trusted church leader promotes a “divinely inspired” investment opportunity. Because he’s respected, no one questions it.

People sell land, borrow money, and throw in their savings.

In this scenario, respect does not equal financial expertise. Always verify, not just believe.

Key lesson: Separate trust in people from trust in their financial recommendations.

Example 3: The Crypto Pump Group

You join a Telegram group where admins tell everyone to buy a certain coin. The price shoots up. You join in.

3 days later, the coin crashes. Admins vanish.

Key lesson: run away if you’re getting investment advice in emojis and hype language.

Stop ignoring the red flags of Ponzi schemes because you want ‘free money’

The Red Flags of Ponzi Schemes

The Red Flags of Ponzi Schemes

Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing – Warren Buffett.

The real risk isn’t the thing you put your money in. It’s how smart, prepared, and patient you are with it. A smart investor can do well even with a normal investment, while a risky investor can lose money even with something that seems safe.

The return of money is more important than the return on money.

When it comes to money, getting your original money back safely is the most important thing.

If you focus only on trying to make a lot of extra money (the return on money) very quickly, you will take bigger risks. These risks could lead to you losing all your original money (the return of money).

Think of it like this:

Getting your money back (return of money) is like making sure your house is safe and sound. Making extra money (return on money) is like adding cool decorations to your house.

Decorations are nice, but having a safe house to live in is way more important!

So, while making extra money is good, the first and most important thing when you invest or lend money is to make sure you’re going to get your original money back.

If you don’t get your original money back, then any potential extra money doesn’t even matter!

Smart Investing

Smart Investing

How to Avoid Financial Ruin with Ponzi Schemes (Or any Investment Opportunity)

After my lessons in 2016 and 2020, there are six questions I now ask before investing.

Before putting money into any opportunity, I now run through this checklist:

  1. Transparency Test: Can I easily understand how exactly this investment makes money?
  2. Expertise Verification: Do the people running this have verifiable credentials and experience?
  3. Regulation Check: Is this investment registered with and overseen by appropriate financial authorities?
  4. History Analysis: What is the track record of this investment or company beyond testimonials?
  5. Independent Verification: Can I find information about this opportunity from sources not connected to the people selling it?
  6. Withdrawal Clarity: How exactly can I get my money out, and are there any restrictions?

If I can’t get clear, satisfactory answers to ALL these questions, I don’t invest.

It’s as simple as that.

These principles extend far beyond just avoiding Ponzi schemes. The same critical thinking protects me from “Get rich quick” business opportunities, dubious crypto projects and even everyday purchasing decisions.

The Too Good to Be True Test

The Too Good to Be True Test

The discipline of questioning what seems too good to be true has become a valuable life skill, not just a financial one.

This is very important.

What if you’re currently in what might be a Ponzi scheme?

Don’t panic, but act quickly.

Stop adding any new money immediately. Try to withdraw your principal investment as soon as possible. Document everything too, from communications, promises, to payment histories.

Don’t let loyalty or hope delay your exit. Also, be prepared for the possibility that you may not recover everything.

What if you’re considering a new investment?

Apply the Questions Checklist above rigorously.

Then set a maximum amount you’re willing to risk. Ideally, this should be no more than 5% of your investment capital. Establish clear exit criteria before you enter and verify through multiple independent sources.

In the world of investment, boring is often beautiful. Consistent, modest returns from legitimate activities will build wealth far more reliably than chasing spectacular promises.

“Don’t be the fool who ‘cashes out’ others. Be the one who walks away with your dignity and your money.”

The most successful investors don’t need excitement – they need results.

I hope this helps.

Godspeed and Cheers.

 

Elite Mentality
Elite Mentality
February 16, 2025

Elite Mentality: How The Top 1% Start and Keep Creating Wealth

Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. – Proverbs 22:29

A simple look at this statement means that people who are diligent and skilled in their work will be in demand and admired. Someone will promote them, and they will rise to positions of power.

There is an extra layer of meaning here.

A deeper look means diligence will only make you sit before kings. It will never make you a king. If you stop at just being diligent and hard-working, certain things will limit you.

It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them – Proverbs 25:2

To discover these secrets, you must be a king and search it out. Because only the kings have the right to access the things hidden by God.

These generate many questions that urgently need answers:

What are these things hidden by God? Who are the kings and who chooses them? If hard work and diligence are not enough, what else do you need?

Nikola Tesla was on the right path when he made this statement – If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.

Elite Mentality

Find the Secrets of the Universe

The people who harnessed energy, frequency and vibration unlocked some of the secrets of the universe. They transformed into kings, and they became wealthy.

Today, we call them The Elite.

Because of this, wealth is one of the secrets of the universe. Wealth is also a spiritual path. And I will reveal it right here.

This will be long as it is a wealth masterclass.

Part 1: How to Discover Wealth Beyond the Concept of Money

First, you must understand your current position in life.

Life is a Pyramid

Almost eighty years ago, an American psychologist developed a system that classified the set of needs that motivated how we behaved.

According to the system, there are five sets of basic needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem and self-actualization. He placed these needs in a pyramid. The physiological needs (food, water, warmth and rest) were at the bottom of this pyramid while self-actualization (achieving one’s full potential) was at the top.

We now call it — Maslow’s hierarchy of Needs.

Elite Mentality: Maslow Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow Hierarchy of Needs

But there is a more important system that shows the hierarchy of people and how they exist — the Pyramid of Life.

In this pyramid, there are only two sets of people. The ones at the bottom are the Masses, and the ones at the top are the Elite.

The Pareto principle clearly explains this divide.

Also known as the 80/20 Rule, the Pareto Principle states that 80% of outcomes are the result of 20% of causes. Many fields, including business, finance, and project planning, widely use this principle.

It’s always being there.

In Business, the customers who contribute 80% of the revenue are just 20%.  For investing, 20% of the assets will give you 80% of your returns. In studying, the topics that will give the best grades are often 20% of the entire curriculum.

Now, your goal is to be the 20% that controls the 80%. Your job is to understand this system and not judge its morality. Be part of the Elite.

Elite Mentality: The Pyramid of Life

The Pyramid of Life

In this pyramid of life, the bottom people will keep giving to the top because they don’t understand the currencies of life.

The Four Currencies of Life

Money. Energy. Time. Attention.

These are the four currencies of life. When you are exhausted, you spend your energy. When you use your time in a good way, you say time well spent. You pay attention when something matters to you and demands focus.

The masses understand Money as the sole currency of life.

Society sets the frequency of the masses to worship Money as a false god. Meanwhile, for the elites, Money is a servant underneath them.

On a cosmic or spiritual scale, money is not real. Money is only real to humans because it’s a medium of exchange.

The Elite have understood how to manage and multiply these four currencies of life.

Who are the Elite?

The Elites are the best in something.

They are the most advanced in knowledge. Being Elite does not mean just being wealthy. They are a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.

The Elite is the most endowed group in any society. The top 1%.

These modern-day kings also pass their perception of reality to their children.

Because you are rediscovering wealth beyond the concept of money, you are now part of the elite.

Start with forming your identity.

Have an identity transplant. This starts from your head.

Elite in Energy, Knowledge and Frequency.

After all, if you can think in terms of energy, frequency and vibrations, you will start to understand the secrets of the universe.

a. How to be Elite in Energy

Start applying the Law of Conservation of Energy in your life. The Law states Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be converted or transformed from one form to another.

Raise your consciousness. Raise your awareness.

From now on, show up with attention and purpose.

He who masters energy will never lack money.

b. How to be Elite in Knowledge

Understand and question everything.

Don’t elevate any human’s intellect above your own.

Scrutinize everything.

c. How to be Elite in Frequency

Frequency is everything you are.

It’s your force field. Your frequency determines your life experience. To break into the wealth cycle, start studying the frequency of the elite.

Set your mind on the things above — the things good and true.

To jump from the masses to the elite, first understand why this frequency exists. Society created this particular program –  not all men can save themselves.

You are stuck in an orbit that you did not choose. What frequency are the elites on? What emotions are they expressing? Stop letting the shitty frequency stick to you.

Remove yourself from the peasant programming.

Tune in to WII FM — What’s in It for Me?

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. – Proverbs 4:23

Learn how to Say No. Do not exchange your attention for nothing. Take your attention from the things that do not pay you. Mop it up and take back your value.

Then learn prudence. From now on, be prudent with your META — Money, Energy, Time and Attention. Your ability to create wealth will come from prudent trade.

Elite Mentality: The Four Currencies of Life

The Four Currencies of Life

A lot of people are poor because they are not making good trades. Everyone who makes it to the top has done this because of the proper allocation of their energy.

Wealth is the mastery of the unseen first.

Ask and audit yourself: Where are you leaking your energy, time and attention?

You are born with unlimited energy, attention and time and should be able to transform this into multiple abundance of money. As an elite, destiny dictates that others will serve you

You are a king. Act like it.

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