Assets are key to financial freedom, a pathway for the rich to generate enough income, savings, and investments to live the life desired without being tied to a traditional job. Meaning your investment is working for you, not we working for an organisation or an individual. Financial freedom is achieved through having a clear goal and an intentional roadmap. The key assets and strategies that are helping Nigerians leverage today’s digital and physical markets to build wealth through real estate, bonds, and online businesses, along with the Nigerian policies that affect them. Here are the top 7 assets that are making people rich in 2025, according to New Trader U. 1. Online businesses: Creating digital revenue streams An online business is simply a company that operates primarily on the internet, like a popular store on Instagram or a service you sell on a website. In Nigeria today, the government is trying to regulate this space to ensure fair practice. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) requires clear terms and conditions to protect customers. To mitigate risks, you should register your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to give it a legal identity and always use secure payment gateways to protect against fraud. To start, you don’t need a formal degree but a good understanding of social media marketing and basic customer service. You can learn these skills for free through online platforms like YouTube or Coursera and by following successful Nigerian entrepreneurs in your chosen niche. Starting small with a clear business idea and building a simple website or social media store is the most practical first step. Top 4 sectors in Nigeria for foreign investors 2. Digital assets: Building value in the virtual economy These are online items that you own and can sell for profit, such as a website with many visitors, or even cryptocurrencies. Recent legislation, specifically the Investments and Securities Act 2025 (ISA 2025), has officially recognised cryptocurrencies and other digital assets as “securities,” which the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) now regulates. To protect yourself, use licensed and SEC-approved custodial exchanges and ensure you have a clear plan for your digital assets in your will, as the new law makes this possible. To get started, you need to develop a basic understanding of market trends, which you can learn from free financial news websites and podcasts. Essential skills include research and risk management, which can be practised by starting with a small, diversified portfolio. The most crucial initial step is to open a custodial wallet with a reputable, SEC-regulated platform and begin with a very small investment. Read also: 6 places wealthy people store their money 3. Digital products: Create once, sell infinitely A digital product is something you create once and sell over and over again, like an e-book on how to start a business or an online course on cooking. The great thing is that you don’t need to worry about shipping or inventory. To mitigate risk, you must have clear terms and conditions that comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the FCCPC. This protects your customers’ information and ensures they know what they are buying, preventing legal issues. To begin, you need to have deep knowledge or expertise in a specific area, which could come from your job, a hobby, or a skill you’ve perfected. The key skills are content creation and a basic understanding of marketing to reach your audience. The best way to start is to create one simple product, like a short e-book or a PDF guide, and sell it on a free platform like Gumroad. Read also: Top 5 world key commodities trends to watch for in 2025 4. Intellectual property: royalties that pay for decades Intellectual property is your creative work that is legally protected, such as a song you wrote, a book you published, or a unique brand logo. The government’s Copyright Act 2022 helps protect your rights. To mitigate the risk of piracy or theft, you should properly register your intellectual property with the relevant authorities, like the Nigerian Copyright Commission. You can also include clauses in contracts with employees or partners to clearly state who owns the creative work. To start, the primary requirement is a unique creative idea, which can come from any background, whether you are a writer, an artist, or an innovator. The necessary skills involve creativity and a basic knowledge of intellectual property law, which can be acquired by visiting the NCC website or consulting with an affordable lawyer. The most effective first step is to register your work with the Nigerian Copyright Commission. 5. Dividend-paying stocks: Growing income from quality companies This involves owning a small piece of a successful Nigerian company and getting a share of its profits, known as dividends. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandates that these dividends be paid directly into your bank account through a process called e-mandate. To mitigate the risk of losing your dividends, ensure you complete your e-mandate form with the company’s registrar and keep a copy as proof. You can also research companies with a history of consistent dividend payments to find reliable investments. To start, you need a basic understanding of the stock market, which you can learn from free articles on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) website. The key skills are patience and a long-term mindset. The most important initial step is to open a brokerage account with a reputable firm and start with a small, affordable investment in a well-known Nigerian company. 6. Index funds and ETFs: The power of market-wide growth Instead of buying a single stock, an index fund or ETF allows you to invest in a basket of many different stocks all at once. This spreads out your risk so that if one company does poorly, it doesn’t sink your whole investment. In Nigeria, you can invest in these through licensed digital platforms like Trove or Bamboo, which also give you access to international markets. To mitigate risks, choose platforms that are regulated by the Nigerian SEC and start with a small amount while you learn. To begin, you only need to understand the concept of diversification, which is easily explained in articles on financial websites. The main skill required is discipline to contribute regularly, which can be practised by setting up automatic transfers. The best first step is to download a regulated investment app and begin with a small, consistent monthly investment. 7. Income-producing real estate: Old school wealth building This means buying a property, not to live in, but to rent out to people or for short-term lets, which brings in a steady income. The government, through the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, is working on digitising land titles to reduce fraud. To mitigate the risk of land disputes or fake titles, always conduct a proper due diligence search with a lawyer and the relevant state land registry before buying any property. Investing in new housing developments is also an option, as it can reduce the burden of confirming land authenticity. To get started, you need to understand the basics of property law and market analysis, which can be learned from local real estate agents and online courses. The key skills are negotiation and financial literacy to understand mortgages and return on investment. The most practical first step is to save up for a small piece of land or a single rental unit and consult with a reputable local real estate agent.