By Agbonkhese Oboh

As 2026 approaches, financial pressure continues to shape how Nigerians think about saving, investing, and long-term planning. Rising costs, currency volatility, and shifting economic realities have made sustainable money habits more difficult to maintain. Yet, a growing number of financial practitioners are working to change this narrative, not simply by offering products, but by reshaping how Nigerians understand and engage with personal finance.

One of such professionals is Grillo Adebiyi, a marketing and growth expert who spent over three years helping drive the adoption and distribution of Cowrywise, an investment platform built to make intentional saving and investing more accessible. Through data-led growth strategies, personalization, and the practical application of technology and AI, his work has contributed to demystifying personal finance and positioning financial discipline as an achievable goal for everyday Nigerians heading into 2026.

In this interview, Grillo shares practical insights on building better financial habits, setting realistic goals, and using technology and AI to make smarter financial decisions in the year ahead.

As Nigerians think about their financial goals for 2026, where should they start?

Good financial planning always begins with clarity. That means having clear goals, an honest understanding of your current financial position, and a realistic timeline. For Nigerians in 2026, I encourage people to answer three basic questions. What exactly do you want to achieve by the end of the year? How much will it realistically cost? And what timeline or milestones will help you stay on track?

Once those answers are clear, budgeting becomes more intentional. Saving and investing should come before discretionary spending, not after. I also strongly advise building an emergency fund that covers at least three to six months of essential expenses before taking on higher risk investments. Clear goal setting, with both short term and long term targets, improves accountability and reduces emotionally driven decisions.
Protection is another area people often overlook. Health, income, and life cover should be part of any financial plan. Unexpected events can erase years of progress, so in 2026, protection should be treated as a core pillar of financial planning, not an optional add on.

Many people start the year with strong intentions but struggle to stay consistent. How can Nigerians set realistic targets?

The key is balancing ambition with realism. I recommend using the SMART framework. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Saying “I want to save ₦1.2 million by October 2026” is far more effective than saying “I want to save more money.” The same applies to investments. A goal like building a ₦5 million portfolio by December 2026 becomes actionable when it is broken into monthly contributions.

Tracking progress is equally important. Weekly or monthly check ins help people adjust early instead of waiting until the end of the year. Nigeria’s economy is dynamic, so flexibility matters. Goals should adapt to inflation, currency movement, or income changes without losing direction.

What role does technology play in helping Nigerians achieve these goals?

Technology can significantly improve financial outcomes when paired with discipline. People should always choose tools that fit their needs, but savings and investment platforms have become especially helpful.

Platforms like Cowrywise allow users to automate savings and invest in diversified mutual fund portfolios aligned to specific goals. Automation reduces reliance on willpower, while goal tracking and performance dashboards improve consistency. The platform has also introduced enhanced stock investing insights and an AI agent that simplifies complex market information for users.

Other platforms such as PiggyVest offer safelock, Flex Naira and dollar denominated savings plans, while Bamboo powers investing in both local and foreign stocks, helping diversify portfolios and hedge against currency risk. To get the most value, users should automate deposits, diversify investments, track goals consistently, and enable notifications. When systems run automatically, progress continues even when life gets busy.

AI is becoming more visible in finance. What trends should Nigerians pay attention to in 2026?

AI will be one of the defining forces in finance in 2026. In Nigeria, its impact is already visible and will continue to expand. Several trends stand out.
AI will improve credit scoring, fraud detection, and customer service, allowing financial institutions to make faster and more accurate decisions. This expands access to credit, especially for underserved groups. Predictive analytics will help platforms forecast spending patterns, suggest optimal saving strategies, and recommend personalized investment plans. Voice and chat based assistants will also make financial advice more accessible to users who prefer conversational interaction.
AI can also aggregate large amounts of financial data into actionable insights. One could use AI to aggregate and summarise publicly available market data and historical trends to help people understand how different savings or investment choices typically perform over time, and how you can take advantage.

How can everyday Nigerians use AI, even without technical knowledge?

You do not need technical expertise to benefit from AI. In fact, AI has the potential to reduce wealth gaps by making financial insights more accessible. Retail investors can use AI tools to automate financial research instead of manually scanning multiple sources.

For example, users can ask AI tools to review their spending patterns and suggest areas of improvements. AI agents can help create weekly budgets, flag overspending, recommend expense reductions, remind users to save, and track progress in simple language.
AI is not meant to replace human judgment. It is designed to enhance it, helping people plan, monitor, and adapt their financial decisions more effectively.

Finally, what advice would you give Nigerians who want to be financially better by the end of 2026?

Start early and stay consistent. There is no perfect moment. The best time to start was yesterday, and the next best time is now. Whether it is building emergency savings, starting a modest investment plan, or protecting your income, take one measurable step today.
Use technology to automate where possible, keep learning, and let clear goals guide your decisions instead of impulse. Small, consistent actions compound into meaningful financial progress over time.