Danladi*, 24, always thought investing was something for people with finance degrees, high incomes, or big risks to take. But then he stumbled on an investment platform called BluNest and decided to give it a week. Here’s how it went and how his perspective on growing his money started to shift.

Monday

Curiosity, not commitment (yet)

I have always thought investing was for people who wore suits, drank black coffee, and read. The Economist for fun. Me? I’m just a young adult trying to make sense of life and keep my finances afloat. I save because it’s what I was taught to do if I don’t want to go broke, and for the longest time, it’s worked for me. But lately, saving has felt like running on a treadmill: I’m moving but not going anywhere.

So, when I stumbled on BluNest, a platform that promised to make investing less intimidating, I thought, Why not? I told myself I would give it one week out of curiosity.

Tuesday

Setting up and second-guessing

I created a BluNest account and set up my basic profile. It took less than ten minutes to create my profile, verify my bank details, and upload the required documents. Before funding my wallet, I decided to explore the platform. It was surprisingly intuitive. There were two wallets: one for naira, another for dollars. Both showed clear values and returns.

Then I clicked “Explore” and was greeted with an entire world of asset options:

● Mutual funds – Where a group of people pool their money to invest in stocks, bonds or

debt securities.

● Treasury bills – Short-term debt issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), backed by the government.

● Naira bonds – Loans to the government or corporations, with fixed interest.

● Commercial papers – High-yield, short-term loans issued by corporations.

● Money market portfolios – Low-risk instruments with short maturity periods.

All the investment options were at low risk, with decent returns, and didn’t look overwhelming. But still, I hesitated. I didn’t want to make a mistake, so I told myself to sleep on it and come back tomorrow.

Wednesday

Scepticism meets Google

First thing in the morning, I started searching for validation. I scrolled through Instagram and TikTok, looking for what financial influencers had to say. A few recommended mutual funds as the best starting point for beginners, and treasury bills as stable options for building consistent returns.

I felt more confident. I opened the BluNest web app and returned to the Explore section. One thing I appreciated? Transparency. Each fund clearly lists its returns, risks, and purpose. I focused on mutual funds, primarily because they were managed by Stanbic IBTC Asset Management — a name I recognised and trusted.

Here’s what I found:

● Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund: Low-risk, short-term investment that offers competitive returns. I can start with as little as ₦5,000.

● Stanbic IBTC Equity or Balanced Funds: For long-term investors seeking higher returns through a mix of stocks (equity) and other assets.

● Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund: This exposes you to top Nigerian companies listed on the Nigerian stock market.

● Stanbic IBTC Ethical and Shari’ah Funds: This allows me to invest in accordance with ethical and Islamic principles, avoiding interest, alcohol, gambling, and other non-halal sectors. The entry point is ₦4.30 per unit.

● Dollar Fund: This is a foreign currency mutual fund. It’s great for diversification and hedging against naira devaluation.

It all began to click. These weren’t random investments, but structured options designed for different goals. I even went to the Knowledge Centre to read about mutual funds and understand how the returns are shared among investors.

Thursday

I took the leap

I finally felt ready. I had some ₦20,000 that I wasn’t going to miss too badly. The Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund caught my eye. The offer price was ₦4.30 per unit, allowing me to invest in actual companies and tap into the Nigerian stock market without diving in too deep. I liked that it aligned with ethical principles and had an affordable entry point.

The minimum holding period was 91 days — not bad. If this went well, I planned to top up ₦5,000 every month and build momentum gradually. I realised wealth doesn’t have to be built in one grand move. Sometimes, it’s brick by brick.

Friday

Green Feels Good

I checked my dashboard again. My ₦20,000 investment was now visible in my portfolio. Everything felt calm and steady, not as nerve-racking as I imagined. I even did the maths to see what things could look like long-term. If the 3-month return stayed around 26.35%, my ₦20,000 could grow to about ₦25,270. If I added ₦5,000 every month after that, I could end the year with ₦90,858, from a total investment of just ₦65,000.

For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was simply spending or hoarding money; I was growing it slowly and intentionally.

Bottom line

I didn’t become a finance bro in five days, and I still don’t fully understand all the investment terms. But this week, something was clear: investing doesn’t have to be overwhelming or exclusive. Platforms like BluNest meet you where you are and walk with you at your own pace.

I’m still figuring it out, but at least now, I know that my money doesn’t just sit still anymore. It moves, grows, and works, just like I do.

Want to Start Your Own Money Growth Journey?

Try BluNest by Stanbic IBTC Asset Management — an easy, interactive platform made for people like you. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to diversify, BluNest makes investing smart.

Click here to explore the BluNest web app and start putting your money to work today.