In the aftermath of Ilebaye Odimiya’s triumph as the victor of the Big Brother Naija All Stars edition, where she clinched the impressive prize of N120 million, a fresh and intriguing chapter has unfolded in Nigeria’s dynamic fintech sector. Various fintech companies have now entered the fray, all eager to entice Odimiya to entrust a portion of her winnings with them.
The announcement of Odimiya’s monumental prize triggered widespread discussions on social media about what constitutes an ideal savings rate or return on investment. Subsequently, several fintech companies, including Fairmoney and Piggyvest, seized the opportunity to present her with attractive interest rates in a bid to secure her as a valued client.
Piggyvest initiated the campaign with a message that read, “Ilebaye, call me.” The platform followed up with a post showcasing its high-yield savings account known as ‘PiggyFlex,’ which offers an enticing 12.517 percent interest rate for a 366-day maturity period. This translates to N7.51 million on a N60 million investment.
Not to be outdone, other players in the fintech arena swiftly joined the conversation. FairMoney MFB, a digital microfinance bank, lightheartedly advised Odimiya, saying, “Ilebaye, don’t pick up the wrong call!” They then extended an offer of 23 percent interest on a N60 million investment for a 365-day duration, which would result in a final payout of N72.420 million after a 10 percent withholding tax deduction.
According to details on its website, FairMoney provides loan amounts ranging from N1,500 to N3 million, with repayment periods spanning from 61 days to 18 months, and monthly interest rates varying from 2.5 percent to 30 percent.
Credpal, another fintech platform, chimed in with the words, “We trust you to choose wisely.” They demonstrated that by investing the N60 million with them for 360 days, Odimiya would accrue N72.960 million—a remarkable 24 percent interest rate.
Adesina Olumide, an analyst at Quantum Economics, voiced his perspective on the situation, highlighting that the Federal Government of Nigeria’s bond market yields, depending on the tenor, range between 13 and 15 percent. He stated on social media, “Any guaranteed return in Nigeria higher than that deserves a regulatory microscope.”
However, not everyone was convinced by Piggyvest’s initial interest rate offering. One user with the handle @DcClint1 on social media remarked, “Your interest is too low for 1 year.” This ignited a broader discussion within the tech and investment sphere about what constitutes a fair interest rate.
Ezra Olubi, co-founder of PayStack, shared his insights, emphasizing that “No institution can guarantee you interest rates higher than your country’s prevailing bond rates.” He added that those offering rates above Nigeria’s bond rates to a mass market audience bear the responsibility of educating investors about the associated risks.
Olubi’s remarks underscored the challenges posed by Ponzi schemes—investment schemes that promise unrealistic returns. In Nigeria, such schemes should be approached with caution, given the scars they have left on the financial mindset of many Nigerians.
As Ilebaye Odimiya evaluates these enticing offers from fintech companies, her decision will not only impact her financial future but also contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding savings, investments, and the financial literacy of Nigerians.
