If you’re a millennial, then you probably grew up seeing wealthy people in society get decked up in gold as a sign or show of wealth. The same is still true today, the designs of the gold jewellery have just evolved from what they looked like years ago. Gold has always been a symbol of riches and wealth. While this truth has not changed, some things have changed about gold and ownership, and we will get to it soon enough, but first let’s talk about why this conversation on gold even needs to be had.
Watching the news or just going to the market can feel like an extreme sport these days. You work hard for your money, you save it diligently, but every time you check, the price of rice, fuel, or data has taken another leap. It can feel like you’re on a financial treadmill: running as fast as you can, just to stay in the same place; your dreams of making it big more out of reach than before.
The hard truth is that in an environment with high inflation, just saving your money in cash isn’t enough. For instance, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate in September 2024 was a staggering 32.70%. While that has thankfully eased, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) still reported it at 18.02% in September 2025. What this means in simple terms is that your hard-earned money is losing its purchasing power, its value, at a rapid rate.
So, what’s the alternative? How do you grow your wealth and protect yourself from inflation and currency volatility? Funnily enough, the “new” answer is one of the oldest things in the world; Gold.
For thousands of years, gold hasn’t just been for kings and queens. It’s been mankind’s universal “panic button”, a reliable store of value when economies get shaky. And today, thanks to technology, you don’t need to be a Dangote or a Otedola to own it.
This article will help you understand why gold is the ultimate wealth-protection tool and how you, as a beginner, can start investing in it safely and easily.
So, Why is Everyone Still Obsessed with This Shiny Metal?
It’s not just because it looks good in jewellery. Gold has a unique financial “superpower.” Unlike paper money (fiat currency), which a government can print more of (and thus devalue), the amount of gold on Earth is finite.
This gives it three core benefits:
1. It’s a Proven Hedge Against Inflation:This is the big one. Gold and inflation have a long-standing relationship. When the cost of living goes up, the value of gold tends to go up with it. During the high-inflation crisis of the 1970s, for example, gold’s price surged by a mind-blowing 2,186%. It acts like a financial lifejacket, keeping your wealth afloat when the waters of inflation rise.
2. It’s a “Safe-Haven” Asset:In times of “systemic economic uncertainty,” investors flock to gold. When stock markets are volatile and currencies are unstable, gold is seen as a stable anchor. It’s the asset you own when you’re not sure what else to trust.
3. It Has a Track Record. A VeryLong One. We’re not talking about the latest crypto coin that might be valuable next week. We’re talking about a 5,000-year history of value. If you’re looking for a “get rich quick” scheme, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a “build wealth slowly and safely” strategy, gold is the undefeated champion.
Need proof? Over the last 20 years, the price of gold has increased by over 800%. It’s the ultimate long-term play.
The “Old” Way of Buying Gold (And Why It’s a Headache for Beginners)
Now that we’ve convinced you on why you need to buy gold, your next thought is likely “how?”
What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Going to a jewellery market or finding a dealer to sell you a small gold bar?
This is the “old way,” and for a beginner, it comes with a few headaches:
- The Purity Problem:How do you know you’re buying real gold? Are you sure it’s not a clever fake?
- The “Making Charges” Problem:When you buy gold jewellery, you’re not just paying for the gold. You’re paying for the workmanship or “making charges,” which you don’t get back when you sell.
- The Security Problem:So, you bought a small gold bar, now what? Do you hide it under your mattress? Bury it in the backyard? Rent a bank safe deposit box? It can be a source of anxiety.
- The “How Do I Sell?” Problem:When you need your money back, you have to find a buyer, go to the market, and haggle over the price. It’s not “liquid”, you can’t access your cash quickly.
For a long time, these headaches made gold investing a rich person’s game, but not anymore.
The New, Smarter Way: Investing in Gold Without the Drama
What if you could own 100% pure gold without ever having to touch it, test it, or hide it. Welcome to the world of digital gold.
Digital gold is exactly what it sounds like: you own real, physical gold, but it’s stored for you in a high security, insured vault by a trusted institution. You just hold the digital certificate of ownership on your phone.
At The Alternative Bank, we believe that your money should work for you, in a way that is fair and transparent, we have made it possible for you to get digital gold just with the tap of a few buttons on your phone.
All you have to do is download the AltInvest app from your app store, create an account and start investing in gold in a few minutes. It’s designed to completely remove all the headaches of the “old way” and make gold accessible to everyone.
Here’s how it changes the game for you as a beginner.
Benefits of Using AltInvest for Gold Investments as A Beginner
1. The “Start Small” Revolution (Fractional Ownership)
Old Problem: “I don’t have millions to buy a whole gold bar.”
You don’t need to! There’s room for fractional ownership. This is a great advantage for a beginner. You can start by buying as little as one gram of gold, or even fractions of a gram. This means you can start building your wealth with whatever you’re comfortable with. It puts wealth-building right within your reach.
2. It’s Real, It’s Secure, It’s Insured
Old Problem: “Is this gold real? Where do I store it?”
All gold purchased on AltInvest is 100% authentic. You get all the benefits of owning a real asset without any of the risks of theft, loss, or damage. Your investment is backed by a CBN-regulated bank, giving you complete peace of mind.
3. No “Making Charges,” Just Pure Value
Old Problem: “I lose money instantly on jewellery making charges.”
You are buying pure gold at the market price, not a piece of jewellery. Your money goes directly into the value of the asset itself. This makes it a true, transparent investment.
4. Buy and Sell From Your Couch (Instant Liquidity)
Old Problem: “It’s too much stress to sell my gold.”
Your gold investment is right on your mobile app. Need your cash? You can sell your gold holdings back on the platform at the current market price, with just a few taps. It’s as easy as transferring money. This gives you flexibility and control over your finances.
Even the World Gold Council, the global authority on gold, is pushing for the digitalisation of gold to make it more “accessible, transparent, and trusted” for everyone. This isn’t just a new product; it’s the future of investing.
Wealth is Built Consistently
Investing in gold is no longer a complicated, high-stakes game for the super-rich. It’s now a simple, safe, and accessible strategy for anyone who wants to secure their future. It’s the “build wealth slowly and safely” plan that has worked for many years.
You can’t control the global economy, but you can control what you do with your money. The secret to building wealth isn’t a single, large investment; it’s a small, consistent habit.
This is where you combine a smart money habit with financial tools. The habit is called “Systematic Investing”.
You can turn your financial anxiety into a financial plan, one gram at a time. Go beyond just saving your money, start securing your wealth.
