Jennifer Awirigwe popularly known as ‘Financial Jennifer’ is a certified financial instructor and chartered stockbroker. The prominent figure in the world of finance, is the founder of FinTribe, a dedicated women’s community committed to empowering women through wealth-building, intelligent investments, and savings. She is also asocial media influencer who harnesses her platform to pioneer change in the male-dominated realm of stock investing. With over 400,000 reached through her online campaigns and classes, Jennifer bridged the gender gap in Nigeria’s stock market, inspiring and guiding women to take advantage of investment opportunities. Her collaboration with Afrinvest, a brokerage company, led to a surge of email inquiries from women, crediting Jennifer’s publications as their source of insight. Her women-finance community is currently flourishing with over 5,000 members. She recently made history by hosting Nigeria’s first finance fair themed ‘Challenge Yourself.’ The event drew over 6,000 women from various parts of Nigeria and Africa, providing a platform for attendees to engage in a range of activities, fostering learning, networking, and the opportunity to enroll in selected financial services. Alongside other female thought leaders, she has provided valuable insights on wealth-building and introduced participants to the newest financial trends and innovations. In this interview with TOBI AWODIPE, she talks about her journey in empowering women financially, shedding light on prevalent financial challenges faced by women.
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You hold multiple financial qualifications, including being a chartered accountant, stockbroker and certified financial education instructor accredited by the National Financial Educators Council in the United States of America. How did you achieve all this before the age of 30?
When I decided to be deliberate with my finances, I was approximately 25 years old. While it might not have been the earliest realisation, it prompted me to take action. Despite already being a chartered accountant, I recognised the need to enhance my expertise to better serve both myself and my community. This led me to transition my career to investment banking and pursue relevant certifications, a decision for which I’m grateful today. I am immensely grateful for the influence of mentors in my life, many of whom may not even be aware of their impact on me. I’ve always been good at learning from a distance. The mentors I’ve had the privilege to meet have been instrumental blessings, smoothing out my journey in significant ways.
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In your opinion, what are the financial challenges unique to women in Nigeria and all over the world?
One of the main challenges faced by women in managing personal finances is a knowledge gap. Financial literacy is a core value when it comes to finance. I strongly believe that informed decisions lead to better outcomes. In many instances, men tend to take action more promptly than women. Some women who know what to do can be reluctant to do what is necessary. This is precisely why they need to engage in and be exposed to financially empowering settings that create an enabling environment for women not only to learn but also to take action through insightful conversations and financial brands on-site. Knowing you are in a room filled with other women with shared goals, makes one to relax, connect, and network with like-minded women.
What are some of the key insights for women who want to build wealth and financial independence?
My advice to women is to always stay alert. In every challenge, there’s a chance to make some money. Women shouldn’t ignore trends like crypto, blockchains and even banking stocks. They’re not just for men, they’re for us too. There are also things like mobile banking and fintech solutions. Nowadays, there are robot advisors for investing and peer-to-peer lending platforms. Which ones can we use to build our wealth? Furthermore, more private companies and even government organisations are supporting initiatives that empower women economically. Let’s make the most of all these opportunities.
You founded FinTribe. Take us through the community’s journey to becoming a major phenomenon in three years?
Back in 2020, I reached out to 13 of my friends. Most people want to save and do better with their finances, what needs to be added is motivation and accountability. I proposed the idea of collective saving and mutual encouragement, which resulted in successful monthly savings throughout the entire year. I took the lead in providing constant motivation, I was always persistent and held them accountable.
Every month, they shared proof of their monthly savings with me. The following year, the group decided to continue the practice, and it evolved to include members’ families and well-wishers. In 2021, our group expanded to over 300 women, followed by over 800 women in 2022. Currently, our community comprises over 5,000 women across 25 countries, dedicated to collective saving and investments. That’s the essence of FinTribe; a group of financial women with the shared goal of building wealth. Unlike other platforms, the community is at the centre of what we do. We keep each other accountable, so no one lags behind. We bridge the financial literacy gap by hosting occasional classes and we save and invest together. This approach has yielded remarkable results as our projected savings and investments is currently over N1billion for 2023 alone. Our ultimate goal is to enable women lead prosperous and rich life while building lasting financial security and wealth. One way we do this is through community trips. Recently, we returned from a trip to Turkey, with plans for a forthcoming visit to Rwanda and Kenya. Our aim is to cultivate a fulfilling life while simultaneously building lasting financial security.
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You recently hosted your inaugural FinTribe finance fair. What inspired you to organise the first women-only finance fair in Nigeria?
There have been different events that talk about money, but not many create the enabling environment for women to actually take action, one that offers a hands-on experience and direct interaction with the experts. The primary aim of the fair was to create an inclusive environment where women could gain hands-on experience and engage directly with experts. The objective has always been to bridge the existing gap. It’s not just about having candid discussions on women, careers and financial matters, it’s about taking tangible actions. We partnered with different financial service providers to make it happen and the connections that occurred at the event were beautiful to watch. All goals were met.
What would you say is your biggest takeaway from the fair?
The key lesson learned was the significance of community and the gift of people. The support from FinTribe women and volunteers was instrumental. Their assistance in planning, coupled with the generous contribution of contacts and partnerships from various brands, friends, and mentors, was truly remarkable. Despite planning for 2,000 attendees for our inaugural event, over 5,000 women attended. This is the first of its kind.
The incredible outcome of the FinTribe finance fair is a testament to what happens when women come together with God’s backing.
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The theme for this year’s event was “Challenge Yourself”. What does this mean for women who want to take charge of their finances?
The concept of ‘Challenge Yourself’ in finances means pushing beyond your comfort zone to learn and grow financially. It involves setting and achieving goals, even when it’s tough. For example, if you worry about money, challenge yourself by finding part-time jobs or creating income sources like tutoring or freelancing. If saving is hard, set a specific goal and cut down on expenses, like limiting impulse buys or budgeting.
Similarly, if investments confuse you, challenge yourself by learning basic financial principles or attending workshops. ‘Challenging Yourself’, in financial empowerment, means actively seeking growth opportunities, learning from experiences, and improving your financial well-being. It’s about gaining the confidence and skills to control your financial future, no matter your age.
What would you say to women who still struggle with the idea of being financially independent?
Dear woman, having your name on assets is not a crime. I understand that your partner is fantastic and your marriage is great, but divorce is not the only reason you should look out for yourself in marriage. Encouraging financial independence for women is not encouraging financial secrecy in marriage. Instead, it’s about encouraging financial freedom and autonomy.
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