Nigeria’s Silent Safety Net: Black Tax, Urgent 2k and the Real Cost of Multidimensional Poverty

    Chiamaka Agwulonu | Top Stories | Dec 03, 2025    
Get Unlimited Access
Subscribe to unlock this article

Complete digital access to quality journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.

Once registered, you can:

  • Read this article and many more, including access to epapers and research
  • Enjoy customize article feed/recommendation based on your profile
  • Enjoy access to Businessday exclusive events
  • One-Access accross Businessday platforms

Share this article
Shared
3620
times

The message popped up at 11:47 that night. “Please, I need urgent 2k.” For Tunde, a young banker in Lagos, it was the third plea in just one week. A cousin who hadn’t eaten all day. A neighbour whose child was sent home over fees. Now his younger brother, stuck after another fruitless job search. Tunde let out a quiet sigh, not from irritation, but from knowing he wasn’t alone in this. In today’s Nigeria, millions like him have become the quiet safety nets holding up entire households.

Continue reading your article with a
BusinessDay subscription





Already a subscriber?
Sign In
RECOMMENDED STORIES
support_agent