Build Yourself First”: Banji Alabi Urges Nigerians to Save, Invest and Give Wisely

Good morning, my people.

Let me talk to you from my heart today.

For the last 15 years, the moment I wake up, I see more than 25 requests
“Bro please.” Egbon mi help me.” “Oga urgent.”

The Bible says God loves a cheerful giver, So I gave. I shared whatever I had.
Until I discovered something that broke me:
That same person sent that same request to 20 other people
And at the end of the day, they made a bumper harvest from begging

I have also watched extremely generous people.
People who gave everything. People who never said “no”.
Today, their future has turned into a very pathetic and sorry figure

And I asked myself: How did we get here?

Here is what I found:

TRUTH 1: THE MARKET IS HUGE
We are 300 million Nigerians
The market is HUGE . The opportunity is HUGE
Anybody who is prayerful, who can learn a trade,
Anybody who becomes an expert in solving problems confronting humanity + awesome interpersonal skills
Will surely be comfortable by the grace of God.

Stop begging for fish. Learn how to fish. Then sell fish.

TRUTH 2: SAVINGS IS CULTURE

Whether you are a salary earner, businessman, trader, or professional—
There is one law that does not change:

PAY YOURSELF FIRST.
Before rent. Before “help me”. Before anything.
Take 10% of your income
Save 10%. Even if heaven will fall.

Because the money in your hand today is asking you:

“If you save me today, I will save you tomorrow.”

TRUTH 3: DON’T JUST SAVE. INVEST.
Cash will melt. Inflation will eat it.
Convert your savings.
Put it in “safe, ring-fenced properties” that will appreciate.
– Land. Houses. Shares. Assets.
Things you can convert to cash tomorrow to secure your future.

That is the greatest antidote to poverty in old age.

TRUTH 4: GIVE WISELY, BUILD FIRST
Yes, “GIVE” Be generous.
But give from what is left after you have paid yourself

Separate those who are genuinely helpless from those running a “begging business”

Don’t empower laziness. Empower dignity.

Because the people asking you today will not be there for you tomorrow.
But your investments will.

MY FINAL CHARGE TO YOU:

Build your business. But also build yourself.
Help others. But don’t become the one needing help.

Be a cheerful giver. But be a wiser builder.

SAVINGS IS CULTURE.
It is for all seasons. Rainy season. Dry season. Boom. Bust.

Pay yourself first. Save 10%. Invest the rest in safe real estate
Even if heaven will fall.

Do this, and your tomorrow will thank you.
Do this, and you WILL SUCCEED.

Shake it off. Stand tall. Keep building.