Why Saying “No” Is an Important Money Skill
Have you ever said yes and immediately felt something tighten in your chest? Not excitement, but regret, knowing you just committed money you did not have to spare. If you have, you are not alone. And honestly, it happens to the best of us.
A lot of financial advice will tell you to track your spending, set financial goals, make a budget, and avoid unnecessary debt. They are all valid. But there is one skill that can quietly make or break your finances, and that is your ability to say “no.”
Money leaves your account through decisions. And a lot of those decisions are not really yours, they are driven by pressure, guilt, expectations, and the need to keep people happy. Before you know it, you are spending money you did not plan to spend.
Sometimes it’s contributing to an event you didn’t budget for. Other times, it’s lending money you can’t afford to lose, buying something to fit in, or agreeing to plans simply because you don’t want to disappoint others.
The challenge is that saying “yes” often feels easier in the moment. It avoids the awkward conversations. It keeps the peace. It means nobody is upset with you. But those repeated yeses can come at the expense of your own priorities.
Saying “no” isn’t about being selfish. It’s about choosing to do what aligns with your priorities. Every financial goal requires trade-offs. The money you’re saving for an emergency fund, a business, a course, a trip, or a personal goal can easily be diverted if you don’t protect it. The more clearly you understand your priorities, the easier it becomes to decline expenses that don’t align with them.
Financially disciplined people are the ones who know when to say no to unnecessary spending, to pressure, to commitments that do not serve them. That boundary is where financial discipline actually lives.
And you do not have to make it dramatic. A simple “it’s not in my budget right now” or “I have other priorities at the moment” is enough. You do not owe anyone a long explanation for protecting your finances. Short, honest, and kind works just fine.
Remember, every “no” to something that does not matter is a “yes” to something that does. That is a skill worth building, even when it feels uncomfortable. And the more you practice it, the easier it gets.
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Banks’ Credit to Government Rises by N15.66tn in One Year – CBN
According to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) money and credit statistics, lending to government increased from N23.93 trillion in April 2025 to N39.60 trillion in April 2026, representing a 65.44% year-on-year rise.
Over the same period, net domestic credit rose by N18.18 trillion to N120.18 trillion. Government borrowing accounted for the bulk of this increase, contributing N15.66 trillion, while credit to the private sector grew by only N2.52 trillion. This means about 86% of the annual expansion in domestic credit came from government borrowing.
Within shorter time comparisons, credit to government rose marginally from N39.36 trillion in February 2026 to N39.60 trillion in April 2026. In contrast, credit to the private sector declined sharply from N94.61 trillion to N80.59 trillion over the same period. The CBN did not publish March 2026 data, limiting month-on-month analysis.
Compared with December 2025, government credit increased by N5.38 trillion in the first four months of 2026. Its share of net domestic credit also rose from 23.46% in April 2025 to 32.95% in April 2026, indicating a growing share of bank lending being directed toward the public sector while private sector credit weakened.
Nigeria Capital Market Begins T+1 Settlement Cycle
Nigeria’s Capital market has officially transitioned from a T+2 to a T+1 settlement cycle effective Monday, June 1, 2026, following approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Under the new framework, trades in equities and commodities executed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), NASD OTC Exchange, and Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange will now settle within one business day instead of two.
Ahead of the transition, capital market operators upgraded their technology infrastructure, including software systems, Straight-Through Processing (STP) capabilities, and Application Programming Interface (API) integrations, to automate trade processing and reduce manual intervention in clearing and settlement activities.
Managing Director and CEO of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Shehu Shantali, described the move as a major milestone for Nigeria’s capital market. He noted that the shorter settlement cycle is expected to improve market efficiency, boost investor confidence, enhance liquidity, and align Nigeria more closely with global market standards. He also credited the successful implementation to collaboration among regulators, exchanges, market operators, and technology teams.
As part of the transition arrangement, trades executed on Friday, May 29, and Monday, June 1, will both settle on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Thereafter, all eligible transactions will follow the T+1 settlement cycle. To mark the rollout, CSCS and the Nigerian Exchange Group will host a Special Closing Gong ceremony at NGX House in Lagos.
CBN Drains N7.303tn, Injects N5.734tn in May 2026 as OMO Sales Hit N5.74tn
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) withdrew N7.303 trillion from the financial system in May 2026 while injecting N5.734 trillion through maturing instruments, resulting in a net liquidity withdrawal of N1.569 trillion.
Liquidity operations during the month were largely driven by Open Market Operations (OMO), with the most significant activity occurring on May 21 when the CBN sold N3.692 trillion in OMO bills across two tenors. Earlier, on May 15, the bank conducted N2.050 trillion in OMO sales, while on May 19 it repaid N2.247 trillion in maturing OMO bills, which temporarily increased liquidity in the system.
Primary market operations also contributed to liquidity movements, including sales of N731.75 billion on May 7 and N829.33 billion on May 21, alongside repayments totaling N1.517 trillion across multiple settlement dates.
At the end of the period, OMO operations resulted in a net withdrawal of N1.525 trillion, while primary market activities recorded a net withdrawal of about N44 billion, combining to a total net liquidity withdrawal of N1.569 trillion for the month.
