Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s a great time to review your finances before the new year. Making the right financial moves now can help you enter 2025 with confidence. Here are five smart investment steps Nigerians can take before the year ends.

1. Review Your Budget
The festive season is exciting but can lead to overspending. Before you start shopping, take some time to look at how you managed your money in 2024. Ask yourself: Did I stick to my budget? Did I spend more than I planned? What could I do better next year?

Use this review to improve your budget for 2025. If the 50-30-20 rule (50% for needs, 30% for wants, 20% for savings) didn’t work for you, adjust it to fit your situation. Also, set a holiday spending limit to avoid unnecessary debt.

2. Build or Rebuild Your Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is your financial safety net. It’s especially important in a time of rising inflation and unpredictable expenses. Aim to save enough to cover 3–6 months of basic needs.

If you’ve used up some of your emergency funds in 2024, start rebuilding it now. You can automate a portion of your income to go directly into your savings. A strong emergency fund will give you peace of mind heading into the new year.

3. Choose Safe Investments
If you want to grow your money during the holidays, focus on low-risk investments. Options like Treasury bills, government bonds, and fixed deposits are reliable choices.

These investments offer steady returns and protect your money from major losses. With interest rates improving, now is a good time to take advantage of these secure options.

4. Check Your Investment Portfolio
Look at your current investments to make sure they still match your financial goals. For younger investors, a mix of stocks and mutual funds may provide higher growth. For those nearing retirement, safer options like bonds might be better.

If you’re not sure how to balance your portfolio, talk to a financial advisor. You can also consider investing in dollar-based options like Eurobonds to protect yourself from the naira’s depreciation.

5. Plan for Retirement
It’s never too early to think about retirement. If you have a pension plan, consider increasing your contributions to secure a comfortable future.

Also, start saving for long-term goals like buying a house, paying for education, or starting a business. Real estate and agricultural investments are great options to diversify your income.

Final Thoughts
As the year ends, it’s a perfect time to reflect on your financial journey and make smarter choices for the future. By budgeting wisely, building savings, and making the right investments, you can start 2025 on a strong financial footing.

Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they seem. Every step you take toward financial freedom is worth recognising. With a clear plan, you’ll be ready to face the new year with confidence and peace of mind.

Elon Musk, chief executive officer (CEO) of Tesla, an electric vehicle company, has reclaimed the world’s richest person title.

According to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the South African-born American billionaire overtook Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO, to cross a threshold of over $400 billion — the first time ever.

The net worth of Musk rose to $447 billion on Thursday — over $190 billion more than Bezos, who has held the top spot since early this year, according to the Bloomberg index.

On December 11, Tesla shares closed at a record high, hitting $424.77.

Also, xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, more than doubled in value in November amid a new funding round, surging to $50 billion from a few months ago, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Musk, also the owner of X, the microblogging platform previously known as Twitter, is also Tesla’s largest individual shareholder.

The billionaire was an avid supporter of Trump during the campaigns leading up to the November 5 presidential election.

On November 13, Trump appointed Musk to lead a soon-to-be-established department of government efficiency (DOGE).

A federal high court in Lagos has granted an interim order restraining the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) or its agents from demanding N60 billion from Facebook Nigeria over an alleged violation.

Yellim Bogoro, the presiding judge, gave the order in suit FHC/L/CS/2205/2024, following a November 29, 2024, motion ex-parte application filed by Facebook through its counsel Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo.

“I have considered the ex parte application made, the reliefs sought particularly relief number two of the ex parte application, the affidavit in support, the facts deposed thereto in the affidavit,” Bogoro said.

“I find merit in the application. I shall grant the reliefs in part. I make this Order.

“It is hereby ordered as follows: That an Interim order of Injunction is hereby made pending the determination of the motion on notice herein filed for interlocutory injunction restraining the defendant whether by itself or through its officers, agents, servants and any other person acting under its authority from enforcing or further enforcing in any manner whatsoever the notice of violation/demand for compliance dated 21 October 2024 issued by the defendant to the applicant.

“I strongly feel the second relief sought is subsumed in the first relief.”

Bogoro, therefore, adjourned the matter to February 20, 2025, for a hearing.

Facebook had sought two reliefs, with the first being an interim order of injunction, pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, restraining the defendant, “whether by itself or through any person acting under its authority from enforcing or further enforcing in any manner whatsoever the Notice of Violation/Demand for Compliance dated 21st October 2024 issued by the Defendant to the applicant”.

The second relief sought an interim order of injunction restraining ARCON, whether by itself or through its prosecutors or anyone acting under its authority, “from instituting or commencing criminal proceedings in the Advertising Offences Tribunal to prosecute the Applicant, its officers, agents or representatives, with respect to the allegations and/or decisions made by the Defendant and/or subject matter of the Notice of Violation/Demand for Compliance dated 21st October 2024 issued by the Defendant to the Applicant”.

In seeking the reliefs, the applicant filed 11 grounds for the application.

The microblogging company had said ARCON issued it a notice of violation and demand for compliance dated October 21, 2024, making certain allegations and decisions against Facebook, including imposing the N60 billion fine.

However, Facebook challenged “the constitutionality of the ARCON Notice based on grounds of denial of fair hearing, its unlawfulness under the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act 2022 (ARCON Act) and as an ultra vires act of the Defendant”.

“The defendant threatened that it will enforce the ARCON Notice against the Applicant by criminal prosecution in the advertising offences tribunal if the Applicant does not satisfy its demands,” the application reads.

“The applicant issued a statutory pre-action notice demanding the Defendant to withdraw the threat of enforcement, yet the Defendant has not done so.

“Order Vill Rule I of the Advertising Offences Tribunal Practice Direction mandates that a hearing in the Tribunal must be completed within 180 days of filing the charge.

“Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which applies in the Tribunal, prohibits the grant of an order for a stay of proceedings in a criminal matter.

“The Defendant appoints the prosecutor in the Tribunal, while the Chairman and other members of the Tribunal were appointed on the recommendation of the defendant.”

Facebook also said it would be vexatious and oppressive to the applicant and unconscionable for the defendant to initiate criminal proceedings against the applicant based on the allegations and decisions made by the defendant in the notice.

Also, the applicant’s suit challenging the constitutionality and legality of the ARCON Notice is pending in the court.

On July 19, a federal high court in Abuja struck out a suit filed by the ARCON against Meta Platforms Incorporated, owners of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp social media channels.