Making money takes a lot of work, but keeping it can be even harder. With inflation shifting the goalposts daily, it often feels like your salary vanishes before it even hits your account. Yet, while many are just trying to survive the month, others are thriving — building wealth and smashing goals. The secret isn’t always earning more, it’s often simply about what you know.
Understanding how money works is the bridge that transports you from financial anxiety to financial freedom. Whether you are a student, a salary earner, or an entrepreneur, the right knowledge can transform your finances. That is why we’ve curated this list of 10 books about money specifically relevant to the Nigerian experience to help you bridge that gap.
From timeless international classics to practical guides written by Nigerian experts who understand our peculiar circumstances, the books in this article offer actionable advice you can use today.
1. Understanding Money: A Piggyvest E-Book by Piggyvest
If you are looking for the perfect entry point into financial literacy as a Nigerian, this is it. Understanding Money is a compilation of real stories from real Nigerians and practical advice that bridges the gap between financial theory and the daily reality of managing money in Nigeria. It covers essential topics like making money, spending wisely, and avoiding financial pitfalls like Ponzi schemes and predatory loan apps.
What makes this book essential is that it’s built on the proven success of a platform that has helped millions of Nigerians save. As of 2025, Piggyvest has paid out over ₦3 trillion to its users, proving that the principles in this book actually work.
It’s relatable, practical, and best of all, free!
2. The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins
For Nigerians who are earning in foreign currency or planning their finances with a global perspective, The Simple Path to Wealth is a must-read. J.L. Collins strips away the complexity of investing and focuses on one ultimate goal: Financial Independence.
The book advocates for a low-stress, long-term approach to wealth accumulation, emphasizing that you don’t need to be a stock market genius to get rich. It also teaches you to spend less than you earn, invest the surplus, and avoid debt. In a volatile economy like ours, this simplicity is a lifesaver.
3. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Doing well with money has little to do with how smart you are and a lot to do with how you behave. Morgan Housel’s modern classic is crucial for the Nigerian market, where the pressure to “get rich quick” often leads people into risky financial decisions.
Housel distinguishes between “getting wealthy” and “staying wealthy,” a vital lesson in an economy where inflation can erode value quickly. He also teaches patience, the power of compounding, and the importance of defining what “enough” means to you so you don’t spend your life chasing moving goalposts.
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4. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
Despite being written in 1926, the principles in The Richest Man In Babylon are timeless and arguably the simplest framework for anyone earning a salary in Nigeria. Through parables set in ancient Babylon, Clason outlines the “Seven Cures for a Lean Purse,” the most famous being the rule to “pay yourself first” (a principle we’ve also championed many times on the Piggyvest Blog).
If you’re a Nigerian navigating a high cost of living, the lessons and disciplines in this timeless classic can become the foundation for building a financial safety net.
5. The A-Z of Personal Finance by Nimi Akinkugbe
If you have ever felt confused by banking jargon or investment terms in Nigeria, The A-Z of Personal Finance by Nimi Akinkugbe is the book for you. In it, she provides a dictionary-style breakdown of financial terms and investment vehicles available specifically in the Nigerian market — from treasury bills to stocks.
The book also demystifies the complex world of finance and serves as a perfect reference guide for money-savvy readers. Whether you are looking to understand how mutual funds work or how to plan for retirement in Nigeria, this book equips you with clear, jargon-free explanations to communicate and execute your money goals.
6. Atomic Habits by James Clear
While not strictly a “money book,” Atomic Habits is essential for building the discipline required to save consistently in a tough economy. James Clear argues that success isn’t about once-in-a-lifetime transformations but about tiny, daily habits that compound over time.
In a country where saving can feel overwhelming due to expenses, the idea of starting small (perhaps saving just ₦500 daily) is powerful. This book teaches you to focus on building systems rather than relying on willpower.
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7. Investment Clubs: How to Create Wealth Beyond Your Pay-Cheque by Tomie Balogun
Nigerians have a long history of communal saving, often called Ajo or Esusu. Tomie Balogun takes this cultural practice and professionalises it in Investment Clubs: How to Create Wealth Beyond Your Pay-Cheque. This book teaches you how to leverage the power of community to access investment opportunities (like real estate or agriculture) that might be too expensive for you to afford as an individual.
It’s a practical guide on how to structure these clubs legally and profitably, and transform them from casual savings groups to structured wealth-creation vehicles.
8. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
Often called the bible of value investing, The Intelligent Investor is essential for anyone interested in the stock market. In it, Benjamin Graham teaches the philosophy of “value investing” (buying stocks when they are undervalued) and the importance of a “margin of safety”.
You’ll also learn how to protect your capital from significant losses and find out why treating the market like a casino is the worst way to build long-term wealth.
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9. I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
In I Will Teach You To Be Rich, Ramit Sethi (American author and entrepreneur) offers a refreshing perspective: you don’t have to stop buying suya to get rich. Instead of cutting small expenses, he advises focusing on “Big Wins” — like earning more money, negotiating your salary, and automating your finances.
His philosophy of “conscious spending” (spending extravagantly on the things you love and cutting costs mercilessly on the things you don’t) is liberating and can be a game changer if you’re a young Nigerian professional looking for financial empowerment.
10. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to attract wealth while others struggle? T. Harv Eker suggests it comes down to your “money blueprint” — the subconscious programming about money you learned from your parents or society.
Many Nigerians grow up with negative associations about wealth or a scarcity mindset, and Secrets of The Millionaire Mind tries to help you identify those limiting beliefs and “rewire” your brain for success. It essentially bridges the gap between wanting to be rich and actually thinking like a rich person.
Conclusion
Reading these books is a fantastic first step, but knowledge without action is merely entertainment. The gap between where you are now and where you want to be financially isn’t just another book — it’s action.
You don’t need to read all 10 books at once. Pick one that seems interesting or resonates with your current situation this month. Or better yet, download the free Understanding Money ebook immediately to kickstart your journey. Then, open your Piggyvest app and apply just one lesson you have learned.
Your future self will thank you.
The articles on the PiggyVest Blog are developed by seasoned writers who use original sources like authoritative websites, news articles and academic journals to perform in-depth research. An experienced editor fact-checks every piece before it is published to ensure you are always reading accurate, up-to-date and balanced content.
- Piggyvest: Understanding Money: A Piggyvest E-Book
- Centre For Adult Education: 7 Proven Reasons Why Reading is Good for You
