In today’s fast changing world, the rules of money are evolving but one principle remains timeless: ownership is the foundation of wealth. Whether you’re aiming for financial freedom, generational wealth, or simply a better return on your time and energy, ownership is where it all begins.
There are two powerful paths to ownership that have consistently produced millionaires across generations and the best part is, they’re both within your reach.
1. Own and Run a Business
When you own a business, you move from earning a salary to creating value. Entrepreneurs are wealth builders because they solve problems, serve people, and take calculated risks that pay off. Unlike a job where your income is fixed, a business gives you control over your earnings, pricing, and expansion.
Whether it’s a small online store, a consulting practice, or a large enterprise, running your own business allows you to build equity, reinvest in growth, and one day scale or even sell for profit. It’s not easy but the upside is massive. You’re not just working for money; you’re building an asset.
2. Buy Shares in Other People’s Businesses
The second path is more passive but just as powerful: buying shares in publicly listed companies. This is how you own a piece of established brands from tech giants to local banks. Through stock investments, you benefit from the growth of companies without being involved in daily operations.
As these businesses grow and succeed, shareholders earn in two ways: dividends (a portion of profits) and capital appreciation (an increase in the value of your shares). The stock market has made more ordinary people rich than any job ever could, simply by holding on to quality investments and letting compounding do its magic.
The Bottom Line
In Nigeria and beyond, wealth is increasingly tied to what you own, not just what you earn. A salary can take care of your bills, but ownership builds your future. Whether you’re building a business from scratch or strategically investing in the stock market, the key is to own assets that grow over time.
In a world full of consumption, choose to be a creator or an investor not just a spender.
Build it or buy into it… but just own.
