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Gaya

This “social tax” is quietly draining pockets more than the federal government ever could. Just cast your mind back to how much you spent on your friend’s <a href="https://aura.ng/the-streets/the-nigerian-marriage-checklist-nobody-talks-about-but-everyone-uses">wedding</a> last weekend. You likely had to dip into your savings to cover the ₦150,000 aso-ebi, book a makeup artist and nail technician, and absorb the miscellaneous expenses that quietly pushed your total spend close to half a million naira… for just one event.

While you were still recovering from the weekend, your mind had already moved on to the celebrations awaiting you in June. Your MD’s birthday is on Wednesday, and you still have not paid that contribution. Your older <a href="https://aura.ng/culture/the-responsible-child-curse-when-being-good-costs-you-everything">sister</a> is about to have a baby, and you are considering getting the trending Pampers bouquet to give your godchild the best welcome. Meanwhile, your best friend is flying into the country next week to begin wedding planning… Which means another cycle of <i>owambe</i> spending is about to begin.

All of a sudden, it feels like you don’t even have enough to meet your personal needs. Coincidentally, your skincare products are running out, and you still want to do something special for your partner for Men’s Month. Everything, all at once, in this one month of June.

You entered 2026 in touch with your finances and feeling empowered to smash your <a href="https://aura.ng/the-streets/so-you-have-a-degree-and-zero-job-offers-welcome-to-nigeria">money goals.</a> You drastically cut down personal expenses and even automated your savings. But now, family and friends have started costing you much more than you budgeted for.

Too bad all these financial obligations aren’t optional. How do you actually turn down an opportunity to celebrate your loved ones without looking like a killjoy? And how do you show up without going all out? The lines have become too blurred between celebration and extravagance… <i>but that is a story for another day.</i>

My advice to you? Fight FOMO, the fear of missing out. That is the best place to start. Once you are sure that you are not trying to prove a point to anyone or keep up a fake standard — and it is all out of genuine love — the expenses will feel lighter on you. Not that you will necessarily spend less, but you will be able to prioritise better without dreading how people will perceive you or interpret your actions.

Our <a href="https://aura.ng/culture/why-keeping-friends-as-an-adult-is-harder-than-anyone-warned-you">generation</a> is glorifying celebrations in an unhealthy way, which is doing our bank accounts more harm than good. We are creating memories at the expense of our finances… except for those thinking long-term who are actually spending in proportion to their incomes. Don’t allow legitimacy to blindside you.&nbsp;

Please, by all means, celebrate your people…but do it wisely.

Owambe. Bridal shower. Birthday. Baby shower. Contribution. It never ends — and it's costing young Nigerians more than just money.



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