One of the most common questions I get from Nigerians is this: “Should I convert my naira to dollars first before investing in mutual funds?”
The answer isn’t always black and white. It depends on your personal goals, your future plans, and the risks you’re willing to take. While investing in dollar-denominated funds may sound “posh” and safe, the numbers often tell a different story when compared to naira investments. Let’s break it down.
Converting Naira to Dollars for Investment
Imagine you have ₦15.2 million. If you convert it at the current bank rate of ₦1,520/$, you’ll end up with around $10,000. Now, if you invest this $10,000 in a dollar mutual fund (for example, United Capital Dollar Fund, Stanbic Dollar Fund, or FBNQuest Dollar Fund), some of them currently offer about 6.5% per annum.
That means you’ll earn:
- $650 per year, Which is roughly $54 per month
- At the same exchange rate (₦1,520/$), that comes to about ₦82,000 per month
You can read my full guide on Dollar Funds in Nigeria to see which ones are available and how they work.
Keeping Your Money in Naira Mutual Funds
If you invest that same ₦15.2 million in a Nigerian money market mutual fund (with an average annual rate of 21% as at now), your returns look very different:
- ₦3,192,000 per year
- Which breaks down to about ₦266,000 per month
Now compare that to the ₦82,000 monthly you’d get from the dollar fund. That’s more than 3 times higher in favor of naira funds.
For a beginner’s guide, check out my post on How Nigerian Mutual Funds Work
Which One Is Better for You?
The key question is: What do you plan to do with the money?
- If you’re saving long-term for foreign goals like your child’s education abroad, buying property overseas, or settling international expenses, a dollar fund makes sense. You won’t have to worry about naira depreciation when you eventually need the money.
- But if your expenses are mostly in Nigeria, and you want stronger monthly cash flow (e.g., ₦200k–₦300k per month to support your budget), then a naira mutual fund is clearly better.
Should You Fear Naira Depreciation?
Yes, the naira loses value over time, but let’s put it in perspective. Even if the naira weakens, will ₦3 million in annual returns really drop so much that it equals just $600? That’s highly unlikely — unless rates in naira mutual funds collapse, which hasn’t happened historically.
So in the short to medium term, naira-based funds may still give you far more practical spending power if you live in Nigeria. You may also want to compare with Treasury Bills in Nigeria for another safe investment option.
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It comes down to your goals and timeline. Need your money abroad in a few years? Go with dollar funds. Need strong cash flow in Nigeria? Stick with naira funds. At the end of the day, what matters is aligning your investment with your future plans.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not financial advice
FAQs: Naira vs Dollar Investments
1. Is it better to keep my money in naira or dollars in 2025?
If your goals are local (Nigeria expenses), naira mutual funds may give you higher returns. But if you plan to spend abroad, dollar funds protect you from naira depreciation.
2. How safe are Nigerian money market funds?
Money market funds are considered low-risk, as they invest in government securities and short-term instruments. You can learn more in my guide on Safe Investments in Nigeria.
3. Do dollar mutual funds in Nigeria pay monthly or yearly?
Most pay interest accrued daily but distributed quarterly or yearly, depending on the provider.
4. Can I lose money in naira mutual funds if the naira falls?
Your returns are in naira, so if the naira depreciates, your international purchasing power may drop. However, locally, your monthly income remains strong compared to dollar-based earnings.
