Movies, like any other form of art, are an expression of who we are as a people. they are the mirror of us, and as they reflect us, they also entertain us. The movie Afamefuna is currently in the top 10 movies on Netflix and has undergone many reviews on social media by critics, fans, and movie reviewers alike.

The story is one of the Igbo apprenticeship systems, which has received curiosity, study, and accolades from finance experts around the world. According to Nnoyenlu .N. et al, the products of the Igbo apprenticeship system show dexterity and resilience in managing their business and have produced better results.

In Nigeria, there's a popular saying that if you visit a place and do not find any Igbo businessman there, you should run because nothing thrives there. The Igbos have been known to open up a business in the most remote place in Nigeria, as long as it's habitable. Some people even say they control the street economy of the country.

The Movie Afamefuna attempted to tell that story, accompanied by the story of loyalty, friendship, family, and love. Most importantly, it was able to portray the result of patiently learning about the business of money and the intricacies of business before venturing into it.

After seeing it over the weekend, below are 6 money lessons embedded in the movie, Afamefuna.

Saving for Education is a wise decision.

The story almost begins with the main character Afam, being brought by his mother to meet his master in Lagos, who was fondly called Odogwu. However, as the movie progresses, we would learn that the reason why Afam stopped his education in SS1 or senior high, was because he lost his father.

That loss would change the trajectory of Afam's life and perhaps truncated any ambition he may have had before his father's demise. If his father had saved up enough money for Adam's education, he would continue his education and may not have faced the challenges he did as an apprentice.

Very Short Term Loans Are Traps

The movie also talked about how a young Afam did not derail from a love interest he had from the day he stepped into his master's shop. But what would later start the conversation with that love interest was a sad moment. Or should we say a foolish money decision moment.

Afam's love interest who happened to be his master's daughter had lent 1 million Naira to one of her father's apprentices who promised to give her back the money in three days time. And after three days, he absconded and cut off communication with her.

Paul, her father's dubious apprentice has no job or stable income. How was he supposed to raise 1 million Naira in 3 days? Also she stole the money from her father. Never lend someone a huge sum of money with the promise to pay back within a short period. It always doesn't end well.

Before you handle huge sums of money, you must be faithful with little sums of money

As the boys served their master, he watched them and saw how they grew in character and integrity. One of his many rules was that none of the boys should steal from him.

However, integrity is built over time and it's cultivated by the individual, who is determined to embody it as their character. Many critics have argued that 'Odogwu' as the boys called their master, should have settled the senior apprentice before Afam. But Odogwu knew that the senior apprentice, Paul was stealing from him and would not manage huge sums of money if he had no integrity around little sums. So that when Odogwu 'settled' Afam he said in his speech that he has watched Afam and his business dealings, and Afam has never stolen from him.

To get money from people you must have a product or a service and treat your customers well

Odogwu and his boys made money, so much that Odogwu's business expanded and he could settle one of his boys with a shop of his own and a start up capital of 6 million Naira. But they had products that they sold.

They also wooed customers in the market to their store. And in case of a disgruntled customer, they ensured that they appeased them and made them feel special and important.

Profit is not a crime, but too much of it will chase away your customers

In a scene, a customer finds out that a product sold for 3,000 Naira was sold to her for 7,000 Naira. Afam who was not aware of this arrangement between her and the other apprentice was upset and expected the master to punish the apprentice for inflating the price.

The master told Afam that the term for that business dealing is called 'Apriko'; which is the act of inflating the original elling price of goods, so that the apprentice can get some money on that product. Odogwu explained that it is part of business but too much of it will send your customers away, especially if it's too inflated in comparison to what your competitors are selling. Making profit is good, but let it be in line with the price your competitors are selling, if not you'll soon be isolated.

Anyone blackmailing you for money never stops

As soon as Afam was settled before his senior Paul, their friendship and brotherhood ceased. Paul insisted that Afam stole what was due him and began to find ways to extort him. From engaging in illegal business dealings that plunged him into debts, and threatening to announce that Afam's son was his, Paul found creative ways to extort money from Afam.

The moment Adam thinks that paying Paul would stop the blackmail, Paul knew that he had him on a chokehold and continued to press for more money.

When it comes to money, anyone blackmailing you never stops. Report to the authorities and put an end to it.

If you liked this, you'd also like how to save for a huge project.