Smart Ways to Buy Treasury Bills and Bonds in Nigeria; 2025 Guide

In a time when inflation is biting hard and the naira keeps losing value, many Nigerians are searching for safe and reliable investments.

If you want steady income without losing sleep over market risks, Treasury Bills (T-Bills) and Government Bonds remain your best bets.

They are not just safe — they’re backed by the full faith of the Federal Government of Nigeria, making them one of the most trusted instruments for both individuals and institutions.

What Are Treasury Bills?

Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are short-term government securities issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise funds for the government.

When you buy a T-Bill, you’re lending money to the government for a short period (usually 91, 182, or 364 days).

In return, you get your money back at maturity — plus interest.

Example:
If you buy a ₦1,000,000 T-Bill at a 10% discount rate, you’ll pay ₦900,000 upfront and receive ₦1,000,000 after 12 months — meaning ₦100,000 profit.
Duration Options:
91 Days (3 months)
182 Days (6 months)
364 Days (1 year)
Minimum Investment: ₦100,000 (through banks or investment platforms).

What Are Federal Government Bonds?

Government Bonds are long-term debt instruments that pay interest (called coupon) over time, usually every six months.

You can think of bonds as long-term loans to the government — but with higher returns than Treasury Bills.

Typical Maturity Periods:
2 years
5 years
10 years
20 years

Minimum Investment: ₦50,000 (through Primary Dealer Banks or platforms like Cowrywise, Stanbic IBTC, and Wealth.ng).
Average Interest Rate (2025): 14%–18% annually

ALSO READ; How to save in dollars and preserve your money from devaluation

Key Differences Between Treasury Bills and Bonds

—Feature; Treasury Bills are short-term, usually within 91 to 364 days. While Government Bonds are long-term between 2 to 20 years

—Interest Type; Treasury Bills are discounted and paid upfront. While bonds, Coupon are paid semi-annually

—Risk Level; both have Very Low risk
—Liquidity; T-Bills are easier to sell before maturity Slightly less liquid
—Ideal For Short-term savers while bonds are ideal for Long-term investors

Current Treasury Bill & Bond Rates (2025 Estimates)

Instrument Duration Average Return (Annualized)
Treasury Bill 91 Days 9% – 10%
Treasury Bill 182 Days 11% – 12%
Treasury Bill 364 Days 13% – 14%
Government Bond 2 Years 14%
Government Bond 5 Years 15.5%
Government Bond 10 Years 17%
(Note: Rates fluctuate based on CBN auction results and inflation levels.)

How to Buy Treasury Bills and Bonds in Nigeria

Option 1: Through Your Bank

Most commercial banks (GTBank, Zenith, Access, FirstBank, UBA, etc.) allow customers to purchase T-Bills and Bonds directly via their investment desks.

Steps:

1. Visit your bank and ask for the “Treasury Bills/Bond investment desk.”

2. Fill out the application form.

3. Indicate your preferred amount and duration.

4. The bank will deduct your investment amount and send you a confirmation note.

Option 2: Through Online Investment Platforms

Several fintech platforms now allow easy access to government securities.

Top platforms include:

Cowrywise (CBN-backed mutual fund options)
Wealth.ng
InvestNow.ng
Stanbic IBTC e-Invest
Chapel Hill Denham App
They make it easy to invest, monitor returns, and reinvest automatically.

Why Treasury Bills and Bonds Are the Safest Investments

—Government-backed: Zero default risk — the government always redeems payments.
—Predictable returns: You know your exact profit before investing.
—Flexible tenures: Choose short or long durations based on your goals.
—Low entry point: Start with as low as ₦50,000–₦100,000.
—Good for diversification: Protects your money from stock or crypto volatility.

ALSO READ; everything you need to know about real estate business in Nigeria

Things to Consider Before Investing

1. Inflation Risk: If inflation rises higher than your returns, your real profit reduces.

2. Liquidity: You can’t easily withdraw before maturity unless you sell on the secondary market.

3. Interest Rate Fluctuations: When CBN adjusts rates, new investors may get better deals.

Best Strategy for Nigerian Investors

—Here’s how smart Nigerians combine both instruments:
Short-term goal: Treasury Bills (less than 1 year).
—Long-term goal: Federal Government Bonds (2 years and above).

You can also diversify your portfolio by combining these with Mutual Funds, Fintech Investments, or Real Estate, to balance risk and reward.

Real-Life Example
Tunde, a civil servant in Lagos, invested ₦500,000 in 364-day Treasury Bills in 2024 at a 12.5% rate.
By 2025, he received ₦562,500 — a stress-free ₦62,500 profit.
That’s the beauty of T-Bills and Bonds — no risk, no panic, just steady growth.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for peace-of-mind investments in 2025, Treasury Bills and Government Bonds should top your list.

They may not make you rich overnight, but they guarantee steady income, safety, and financial discipline.

While the crypto and stock markets fluctuate, government securities remain a solid foundation for any smart Nigerian investor.

Tip: Always reinvest your earnings — compound growth is where real wealth is built.