Most people believe retirement means working until 60, collecting a pension, and hoping it’s enough. But what if there was another path—one that lets you work because you want to, not because you have to?
That’s the idea behind Coast FIRE.
What is Coast FIRE?
FIRE = Financial Independence, Retire Early.
But not everyone wants to (or can) retire at 35. That’s where Coast FIRE comes in.
Coast FIRE means building up enough investments early so that—without adding another kobo—they will grow enough to fund your retirement.
From there, you just need to earn enough to “coast” through life, covering your daily expenses without stressing about retirement savings.
Simple Example (Nigeria context)
Imagine Ada, 28 years old.
She invests consistently for 12 years and builds a portfolio of ₦20 million by 40.
If that ₦20 million is invested in assets growing at 10% per year, by 60 it becomes over ₦134 million—without her adding a single extra kobo.
At 40, Ada only needs to earn enough to cover her lifestyle. Her retirement is already sorted. That’s Coast FIRE in action.
Why Coast FIRE Matters for Nigerians
1. Inflation is real – Your salary today won’t be enough in the future if you only rely on pensions.
2. Uncertain jobs – Economic shocks make steady retirement savings difficult.
3. Peace of mind – Once you’ve hit your Coast FIRE number, you can switch to work you love without money stress.
Steps to Get Started
1. Know your number: Estimate how much you’ll need at retirement (e.g. ₦100 million at 60).
2. Start early: The younger you are, the more time compounding works for you.
3. Invest wisely: Diversify across assets—stocks, mutual funds, real estate, even dollar investments.
4. Cover your present: Keep earning enough to fund your lifestyle while your investments grows in the background.
Coast FIRE is not about extreme sacrifice or retiring tomorrow.
It’s about setting up your future so retirement is already funded, and your present life is about doing work you enjoy.
The earlier you start, the lighter the journey feels.
Want to know your personal Coast FIRE number and how to build it in Nigeria?
Book a one-on-one session with MoneyAfrica today—we’ll help you run the numbers and create a plan that works for you. themoneyafrica.com