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7 Nigerians Talk About the Stress of Black Tax

Picture this: you’ve just landed your dream job, you’re earning some cool cash, and life is looking up. But wait, there’s a plot twist – the notorious Black Tax (money you send to family members) shows up and suddenly, your hard-earned money is vanishing like a magic trick! 

It’s time to get real and unapologetic as we dive into the world of 7 Nigerians spilling the tea on the ‘wahala’ of Black Tax. Get ready for some eye-opening, edgy, and downright relatable stories that will have you nodding your head, laughing, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. Let’s go!

Chioma, 25

As the firstborn in a typical Nigerian family, it’s like I have a signboard on my forehead that says, “Richest woman in town!” Ever since I got my first job as a data analyst, I’ve been helping with school fees, clothes, food, and more. Every day, it’s either someone is sick or someone needs money for school. Whatever it is, the first instinct is to call “Aunty Chi.” 

Don’t get me wrong; I love my people, but sometimes, I wish I could just save up for myself, you know? The black tax has put my plans to further my education and start a business on hold. But hey, when my siblings become financially independent, I’ll finally get my chance to shine! If they see me by then, they better run.

Eke, 28

I left Naija for the US three years ago in search of a better life. I’ve had a few odd jobs and God has blessed me. But, it has become a part of my budget to always send money home. When I first came to the US, I worked at a warehouse and it was really hell. But nobody back home really understood. They thought I was a big man. If I were still in Lagos, there would have been fewer people seeing me as a big man. 

I send money to my family in Nigeria every month to help with their expenses, and sometimes, I feel like they’re milking me dry. It’s not easy living in a foreign land, hustling to make ends meet, and still supporting my family back home. But, I know my contributions matter and that’s what keeps me going. 

Tola, 20

Hmm, where do I start? The money I send home is already choking me.

I’m a student, but I work part-time to help support my family. It’s annoying because I feel like I can’t even flex with my own money. The moment I get paid, I have to send a portion of it back home. 

I understand that family is everything, and I love my family. But I can’t wait to be done with this. I just want to spend my money without feeling guilty.

John, 28

As an only child, I thought I had escaped the black tax. But in Nigeria, family no dey carry last. So, I have to send money to my uncles. There’s always an emergency; a wedding, funeral, or someone’s school fees that needs to be paid. 

I mostly do it because these people helped to send me to school, and I’m trying to show my gratitude. But sometimes, I actually feel bitter about it. I want to get to the point where I can comfortably invest and still send money home monthly; instead of always sending everything I have. 

Nene, 29

I won’t lie, my own black tax experience is not bad at all. I don’t feel the burden because my husband handles it. He already promised before we got married. I still choose to send something to my parents and siblings out of love, though. It’s my way of giving back and ensuring their well-being. 

I’m lucky to be in this position because I can use my money for business and my interests. I can also use it to support my husband from time to time. So, it works for us. 

Deji, 45

As a 45-year-old civil servant with a wife and three kids, you’d think I’d have enough on my plate, right? But no, I still have to cater to my extended family. I’ve mastered the art of hiding good news because the moment I share any, they immediately start sending me their bills. 

It’s tough seeing external family members suffer. But, with my salary being delayed most times, even my own family feels the pinch. I’m stuck in this never-ending loop of wanting to help but not being able to do much. 

Samson, 30

At 30, I never imagined that my family’s troubles would be the reason I’m still single. My mom has been really sick, and my siblings just dumped the responsibility on me. As the breadwinner, I’ve been hustling, doing everything to ensure she gets the medical care she needs. But, as I try to sort out their issues, I can’t plan my own life. 

I want to get married, but I haven’t been able to save up for it. The black tax has forced me to put my own happiness on hold. I love my family, but sometimes I just wish I could live my life for myself, even if just a little.

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The stress of black tax can get anybody down. The fastest way to reduce the stress is by earning more. But with job shortages and higher living costs, it’s not easy to level up. The next best thing is finding more efficient ways to save.

You probably already save money towards emergencies, or future expenses. But that most likely involves leaving your money in a Naira bank account and adding to it over time. If the cost of living goes up and the value of the Naira falls against the dollar, the value of your savings automatically reduces. Imagine you could save that money in the form of dollars, add to it every month, and get 10% interest at the end of the year paid in dollars. So even if the Naira value falls, it doesn’t affect your savings. That’s what Quidax USD savings can do for you. Try it out today.

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