Catherine* (30) is head of finance at a multi-million-dollar Nigerian company. While she oversees huge sums at work, her personal investment portfolio is a mix of safe, steady growth. Here\u2019s exactly how she allocates her money, and why.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been investing for over 8 years.<\/p>\n My first investment<\/a> was in Treasury bills (T-Bills), which is a safe way to lend money to the government and earn guaranteed interest after a few months. I bought them directly from Nigerian banks.<\/p>\n At the time, I was earning about \u20a6100k\/month, so I\u2019d save for a few months and roll that money into a 6-month T-bill cycle.<\/p>\n After three years, I stopped actively investing outside my pension, which was held with a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). But about four years ago, I returned to investing outside my PFA.\u00a0<\/p>\n My investment decisions have also been shaped by my family\u2019s financial prudence, alongside my growing comfort with money as my income increased. The more I made, the more comfortable I felt making money decisions.<\/p>\n I split my investments<\/a> into two buckets: 70% are self-directed, where I make investment decisions myself, and 30% are professionally managed.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is the portion I actively control. Here\u2019s how I\u2019ve allocated the 70%:<\/p>\n I currently hold 9 individual stocks diversified across three sectors:<\/p>\n I invest in 3 ETFs that track major indexes, such as the S&P 500.\u00a0<\/p>\n I add money to these investments monthly through a wealth management app.<\/p>\n A closer look at the 30% handled by professionals:<\/p>\n I have a moderate risk appetite. I prefer steady, predictable growth over chasing fast, high-risk returns; losing what I\u2019ve built throughout my career would hurt. However, I\u2019m gradually looking into higher-growth assets.<\/p>\n Compounding is central to my strategy. I believe small, consistent contributions over time add up more than trying to time the market.\u00a0<\/p>\n Barriers are lower now. You can invest in fractional stocks, essentially buying pieces of expensive stocks through apps, making it easier to start small.<\/p>\n How my portfolio has evolved<\/p>\n ETFs used to be the core of my self-directed portfolio because of their lower risk. But I started picking individual stocks about 1.5 years ago.<\/p>\n Investing isn\u2019t about how fast you make money. It\u2019s about building wealth with a strategy that aligns with your risk tolerance and goals.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/c7684bdb45.mjedge.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/zikoko\/2026\/02\/Image_fx-39-1024x559.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\nBitcoins As told to Aisha Bello<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Bitcoins How my portfolio is structured<\/strong><\/h2>\n
My Self-Directed Portfolio (70%)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Breaking Down My Stocks & ETFs:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Stocks<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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ETFs<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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My Professionally Managed Portfolio (30%)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Bitcoins Why I chose this allocation<\/h2>\n
Biggest lesson:<\/strong>
Figure out why you\u2019re investing and what type of investor you want to be. This guides your asset selection and helps you decide if your focus is on capital preservation or growth.<\/h4>\nBitcoins Advice for beginners in their 20s and 30s<\/h2>\n
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Before you start investing, save 3\u20136 months of living expenses. Life happens, and you don\u2019t want to liquidate investments in a pinch.<\/li>\n
Investing is for your future self<\/a>, not quick money. Day trading isn\u2019t for the faint-hearted.<\/li>\n
Fixed deposits and ETFs are easier entry points. Don\u2019t jump straight into individual stock picking.<\/li>\n
If you venture into stocks, learn from trusted resources, trading platforms, YouTube, or professional wealth managers. Avoid random advice or hype.<\/li>\n
I prefer boring companies that have weathered time and economic cycles rather than chasing trendy, hot, overly exciting stocks.<\/li>\n
Market speculation can be volatile. Buying at the peak of hype often leads to losses. A stock\u2019s price doesn\u2019t always reflect its true value.<\/li>\n
Stocks will fluctuate. Don\u2019t obsess over daily price changes. Base your decisions on fundamentals, not emotions or market noise.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nBitcoins Bottom Line<\/h2>\n
\nBitcoins Also Read: I Moved to Lagos to Chase a Dream. Two Years Later, I\u2019m\u00a0Back Home With Nothing to Show For It<\/a><\/h2>\n
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