Susan Abayomi
Financial education among young Nigerians has continued to gain attention through podcasts, social media platforms and entertainment-driven initiatives, but Stanbic IBTC Asset Management says the real measure of financial literacy lies in whether people are able to translate knowledge into practical financial decisions.
The company made this position known through InvestBeta, its financial game show designed to make investment concepts easier to understand and more relatable to everyday Nigerians.
Now in its third season, InvestBeta uses games and time-based challenges to test participants’ understanding of financial concepts and their ability to make informed decisions. The programme is expected to continue on the Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel.
Speaking on the idea behind the initiative, the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, Busola Jejelowo, said the programme was created to make investment language more accessible and practical.
“InvestBeta has always been about making the language of investing feel less distant and more practical for everyday people,” Jejelowo said.
She, however, noted that understanding financial concepts represents only the beginning of the financial literacy journey.
According to her, knowing the difference between investment products does not necessarily mean an individual has taken the step of saving or investing.
“The first part of financial literacy is generating interest and improving comprehension. The harder measure of success is what happens once the entertainment ends. A viewer who understands the difference between a mutual fund and a treasury bill has not necessarily started saving in either,” she said.
Against this backdrop, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management has highlighted BluNest, its digital investment platform, as a practical avenue through which individuals can move from financial awareness to action.
BluNest, which is accessible through the Stanbic IBTC Mobile App and a secure web platform, enables users to save and invest across products such as mutual funds, treasury bills and fixed deposits.
The platform allows customers to begin investing with as little as ₦5,000, a feature aimed at reducing some of the financial barriers that may discourage prospective investors from getting started.
By lowering the entry threshold, the company hopes to make saving and investing more accessible to individuals who may have the willingness to build financial habits but believe they need substantial funds before taking the first step.
Stanbic IBTC Asset Management has also promoted the 20 per cent challenge as part of its financial education campaign. The initiative encourages individuals to consider setting aside one-fifth of their income consistently, regardless of the amount they earn.
The principle is presented as a flexible proportion rather than a fixed monetary target, reinforcing the importance of developing a regular savings habit.
The company’s approach reflects a broader effort to connect financial education with practical financial behaviour. Rather than viewing financial programmes such as InvestBeta solely as entertainment, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management is positioning them as an entry point into a wider journey of saving and investing.
With the third season of InvestBeta set to continue on the Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, the company is seeking to deepen conversations around financial knowledge while encouraging Nigerians to take practical steps towards better financial management.
BluNest remains available to new and existing Stanbic IBTC customers through the Stanbic IBTC Mobile App and online.
Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited is registered and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria, as a Fund/Portfolio Manager.
