Dabiri-Erewa to Nigerian Youths: Invest in Yourself, Master Money Matters

Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has advised Nigerian youths to prioritize self-development and financial education as essential tools for building a secure and impactful future.

She delivered this message at the Game of Money 2.0 conference in Lagos, which also served as the unveiling of Transform, a new book by entrepreneur and author Tope Mark-Odigie.

Dabiri-Erewa urged young Nigerians to embrace lifelong learning and to remain proactive about their personal growth. “You must constantly seek ways to evolve. Don’t wait for change be the change,” she said. “Push yourself to excel, understand your unique strengths, and chart your own path to success.”

The Game of Money conference is designed to expose participants to real-world financial strategies by bringing together professionals who share their experiences in wealth creation and money management.

Tope Mark-Odigie, who leads the financial education platform Reb360, explained that her initiative was driven by her commitment to improving financial literacy, particularly among young Africans. In her words, Transform challenges readers to be intentional about wealth creation rather than relying on chance or external circumstances.

According to her, the inaugural edition of the Game of Money event inspired many attendees to take bold steps. “Some launched businesses, others turned their speeches into published books. It’s about turning insights into action,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Ronke Adeniyi, director of Le Poshe School, highlighted how mindset plays a pivotal role in shaping individual outcomes. She pointed out that many professionals, particularly educators, limit themselves based on societal constraints.

“Adeniyi recounted her own journey of arriving in Lagos with little more than ambition and a desire to grow. Over time, by leveraging her communication skills and passion for education, she built a thriving career. Her message to young Nigerians: “Know who you are. Understand your strengths. Then use that self-awareness to break through limitations.”

She called for a shift away from rigid educational models toward environments that nurture creativity, innovation, and personal expression.

Overall, the conference served as a powerful reminder that success stems from a combination of knowledge, mindset, visibility, and action.