For many workers in Nigeria, salary payday can feel less like a celebration and more like a countdown to financial stress. Having a salary of ₦100,000 seems manageable at first glance, but when you factor in expenses like transportation, food, internet, rent, family support, and the occasional unexpected cost, the money can quickly slip away.
Take Bolatito, for instance. She earns ₦100,000 a month, but she thinks saving is nearly impossible. “I can’t save out of my salary,” she explained, clearly feeling the weight of constant bills and daily costs. She’s not alone; her experience led to a broader discussion among young Nigerians about the reality of saving on such a salary.
Another lady, Toba, expressed the frustration many feel, saying, “Guyyyy. Save what? Yourself?” It captures the sentiment perfectly; many find it laughable that they could save anything when just getting by feels like a struggle.
Faysal, another interviewee, shared how he related to this challenge. Before his current job, he also made ₦100,000 a month and spent about ₦25,000 on transportation alone. “It was tiring, honestly,” he admitted.
For those who commute daily, transport can take a huge chunk out of their salary, leaving little for food, rent, or other essential bills. This reality poses a significant challenge for many working-class Nigerians trying to make ends meet.
So, where exactly does the ₦100k salary go?
The ability to save money really depends on a lot of personal circumstances.
For instance, where you live plays a huge role, as does whether you share your space with family or live alone. Other significant factors include your spending habits on things like transportation and food, and how many people rely on your income.
Take Joshua, for example. He shared his thoughts on this topic, emphasizing that these details are important. “Whether you live alone or with your parents, how much you spend on transportation, and what your eating habits are, there are many things to consider,” he explained.
Despite these factors, Joshua remained unconvinced about saving. “Honestly, I don’t believe anyone can really save on 100,000 naira. It just doesn’t seem possible,” he said.
For someone living alone and paying rent, the financial situation can be even tougher. Monthly expenses can add up quickly. Average earners spend heavily on transportation, food, rent, electricity, data, and black tax. Then, unexpected expenses can pop up at any time.
Of course, there’s the ‘girlfriend budget’ to consider. Balancing all these costs makes it pretty challenging to save any money.
“Unless you no get babe”
One of the funnier comments that came up during our chat was about how saving ₦100,000 can become even trickier when you’re in a relationship. Someone jokingly pointed out, “Unless you don’t have a girlfriend”
The idea is pretty clear: if you’re earning a salary, you will not just spend on yourself.
There are dates to plan, gifts to buy, outings to enjoy, and sometimes even transfers or allowances to your partner. When you’re already battling to meet your own needs, adding someone else’s expenses into the mix can really cut into your ability to save.
It’s important to note that not every relationship operates this way, but the joke highlights a larger truth: many Nigerians face financial responsibilities that go beyond their personal expenses. For some, this could mean sending money to parents or siblings. For others, it might involve helping out a partner, pitching in for household bills, or stepping in during emergencies that arise.
According to the PiggyVest Savings Report for 2025, more than three out of five Nigerian earners either regularly or occasionally deal with what is often referred to as “black tax”, a term for financially supporting family and relatives.
This implies that saving on a modest salary isn’t about cutting unnecessary spending. It’s a complex juggling act of balancing personal needs with those of loved ones.
Similar read: Piggyvest: Rent, vacation, new business dominate users’ savings targets in 2025
But some people still save, and the numbers back up the struggle
Not everyone believes that saving is impossible on a monthly salary of ₦100,000.
Faysal, who used to earn this amount, shared his experience of saving a little bit. He emphasised that having the right mindset and discipline can really make a difference.
Boluwatife shared a saving tip: automate saving rather than waiting until the end of the month to save what is left. “You just have to find a way to think of it as if you’re earning ₦80,000 instead,” he explained, recommending that people set up automatic savings so they don’t have to do it manually each month.
He also pointed out that how much you can save really depends on your individual situation. “If I start earning, no matter how much it is, I’m going to save,” he said confidently.
A respondent agreed that saving is possible, but only under certain conditions. For example, if one is living with parents, getting free lunch at work, and having minimal financial obligations, it could be feasible to save.
Take Toba, for example. She shared that her transportation expenses could exceed ₦60,000 in a good month and skyrocket to ₦70,000 in a tough month. Considering she earns ₦100,000, this would leave her with just ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 each month for everything else.
The challenge of saving isn’t limited to folks earning ₦100,000.
According to PiggyVest’s 2025 Savings Report, about 30% of 26,000 respondents earn less than ₦100,000, while another 28% don’t earn. This means that nearly three out of every five people earn below ₦100,000 or have no income.
The report also revealed that 68% of Nigerians rely on a single source of income. Even more striking, only 40% reported saving money each month, while 53% admitted they don’t save anything at all. Rising living costs were cited as a significant reason for the lack of emergency savings.
For most, food and groceries were the largest expenses, followed closely by clothing, personal upkeep, utilities, transportation, and housing. More than half of those surveyed said they start each month uncertain whether their income will cover their basic living expenses.
This context helps clarify why the debate about saving ₦100,000 isn’t just a matter of discipline.
Read also: How to beat inflation in Nigeria (2026), the “New Maths” of savings by FairMoney
