I saw a video of a widow explaining her frustrations in retrieving a meager N395k from her late husband's account.
Her husband died over a year ago.
My fellow Nigerian men, we need to talk.
If anything happens to you today, can your wife confidently say:
“I know the banks my husband uses.
I know where his important documents are.
I know about his investments, pension and insurance.
I know who to contact.”
If not, please read this below:
A woman losing her husband is already dealing with enough pain.
She shouldn't also have to start asking friends, relatives and colleagues whether they know where her husband kept his money.
“Which bank was he using?”
“Did he have another account?”
“He mentioned an investment somewhere, but where?”
“Where are the land documents?”
“Did he have insurance?”
These are questions that can become overwhelming when someone is already grieving.
Brothers, financial secrecy is not a legacy.
Sit down with your wife and explain the important parts of your financial life.
Let her know your banks, investments, pension arrangements, insurance policies, properties, major debts and where important documents can be found.
Prepare a will and keep relevant beneficiary information updated.
And please, this doesn't mean dropping your ATM PIN and every password in a WhatsApp message.
Keep sensitive information secure.
The goal is for your wife to know what exists, where the records are and how to begin the appropriate process if you're no longer around.
You worked hard for what you have.
Don't let poor preparation make it unnecessarily difficult for your wife and children to deal with what you leave behind.
Talk about money.
Organise your documents.
Plan your estate.
Protect your family.
I have written this thread on the assumption that a man will die before his wife.
Which for me, should be a good prayer for a man who married a good wife, like myself.
Being a responsible husband isn't only about providing for your family while you're here.
It's also about making sure they are not left confused and helpless when you're gone.
End.