Finding Balance in the Festive Rush
As the year draws to a close, the excitement of the festive season begins to fill the air. It’s a season everyone looks forward to; a time to unwind, spend time with loved ones, celebrate and enjoy every moment of the season. Yet, somewhere between the thrill of it all, many people find themselves spending far more than planned. And before you know it, you are trying to figure out how to sustain yourself in the never-ending January.
It’s easy to get caught up in the festive excitement; the parties, invites you can’t say no to, endless outings, and expenses that add up. But in the middle of it all, finding balance becomes key.
Enjoying the holidays doesn’t have to come with financial pressure. You can have a fun and fulfilling celebration without breaking the bank. But it starts with planning and discipline. Before the rush begins, decide how much you truly want to spend this season and set that limit for yourself. When you give your spending a boundary, you give yourself peace of mind too.
A good way to manage this is to prepare ahead. You can save towards your festive plans by joining the Vale’s Detty December savings challenge. It’s an easy way to set money aside specifically for the festive fun, so you can have fun without guilt. Nothing beats knowing you planned ahead and can enjoy the moment worry free.
This period will come with a lot of tempting sales and limited offers that can lead to impulse buying. Remember that not every invitation or sale requires your participation. Don’t let peer pressure cloud your judgement when it comes to money. Be selective about what you commit both your time and money to. In essence, think before you spend.
Amid all the activities, take time to celebrate how far you’ve come. The festive season isn’t only just to spend and celebrate; it’s also a time to express gratitude for progress, and the small and big wins that made the year worthwhile.
So, as you plan for the festive fun, keep your finances in the picture. Enjoy the holidays but let it not affect your finances. Remember, the goal is to start the new year happy and in high spirit; ready to do more and better, not the other way around.
NOW TO THE NEWS
Vale Reminds Users to Join the Detty December Challenge
At Vale Finance, we are helping users save smarter while preparing for the festive season through our Detty December Challenge. This goal-based savings initiative is designed to make setting aside money for holiday-related expenses both fun and rewarding.
Participants can save specifically for festive needs such as gifts, travel, parties, and celebrations, while earning up to 13% interest per annum on their savings. In addition, users receive an extra 5% bonus on interest earned, giving them even more value for their money.
The challenge runs until 15th December and is open to both new and existing Vale app users. Don’t miss the opportunity to save with purpose and make your festive season financially stress-free.
SEC Partners with CBN, EFCC to Freeze Illicit Digital Wallets
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a strategic partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to trace and freeze illicit digital wallets used for money laundering and other financial crimes.
The announcement was made during a lecture at the Abuja Journalists Academy, where SEC Director-General Emomotimi Agama emphasized the move as a key step toward protecting investors and ensuring integrity in Nigeria’s growing digital finance sector.
Agama highlighted that over one-third of Nigeria’s population is engaged in crypto-related activities, reflecting the country’s position as a leading adopter of digital assets. While this demonstrates innovation and financial inclusion, he warned that digital finance also presents opportunities for abuse, including crypto scams, phishing attacks, fake wallet apps, and ransomware schemes targeting unsuspecting citizens.
To address these risks, the SEC has established a regulatory framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers under its 2022 Rules on the Issuance, Offering, and Custody of Digital Assets, emphasizing licensing, compliance, and transparency. Additionally, the Commission is deploying blockchain analytics, artificial intelligence, and advanced monitoring systems to trace transactions, detect fraud, and enhance cybersecurity in the digital asset space.
Agama noted that the collaboration with the CBN and EFCC will strengthen coordination among regulators and law enforcement agencies, enabling faster action against cross-border financial crimes. He stressed that the global trend, guided by the Financial Action Task Force, demands transparency and accountability in digital finance, and the SEC is committed to balancing innovation with investor protection to prevent risks without stifling growth.
Naira Strengthens, Closes at N1427.5/$1
The Naira continued its upward trajectory in October, closing at N1427.5 per dollar on Friday, October 31, 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This marked the second consecutive week of gains, with the currency appreciating steadily from N1452.5/$1 at the start of the week. Daily trading showed consistent improvement, with the Naira trading at N1447/$1 on Tuesday, N1445/$1 on Wednesday, and N1431/$1 on Thursday.
On a week-on-week basis, the Naira strengthened by 1.9 percent, closing at N1427.5/$1 compared to N1455/$1 the previous week. This rebound also follows a more significant improvement from N1461/$1 recorded two weeks earlier, highlighting a period of sustained appreciation after the last depreciation on October 15, 2025.
Analysts attribute the Naira’s gains to increased dollar inflows into the economy, proactive liquidity interventions by the CBN, and growing investor confidence in the government’s monetary reforms. The trend reflects a more resilient foreign exchange market and improved market sentiment, suggesting potential stability in the currency in the near term.
Nigerians Lose N316bn to Ponzi Schemes – SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revealed that Nigerians have lost approximately N316 billion to Ponzi schemes and illegal fund managers over the years, warning that greed and ignorance continue to fuel these scams.
Head of the SEC’s FinTech and Innovation Department, AbdulRasheed Dan-Abu, explained that Ponzi schemes pay returns to earlier investors using funds from new entrants rather than generating genuine profits, and noted that the desire for instant wealth often blinds victims to the risks.
Notable schemes highlighted include MMM Nigeria, which wiped out N18 billion, Galaxy Construction and Transportation at N7 billion, Bara Finance at N3.5 billion, and several others, with losses ranging from millions to over N100 billion. Many schemes exploit social media and messaging platforms to lure unsuspecting investors with promises of high returns and minimal risk, while some, like New Nation, disguised themselves as government-endorsed empowerment programs, targeting vulnerable groups such as rural women.
The SEC urged investors to verify the registration of any investment with the Commission before committing funds, emphasizing that unregistered schemes are illegal. Dan-Abu also called on journalists to support public awareness campaigns, noting that regular reporting on scams could prevent significant financial losses among Nigerians.
