Top 10 Best ETFs for Beginner Investors

Two nights ago, something happened that made me rethink my entire approach to investing in gold, stocks, ETFs, and long-term wealth building.

I wasn’t even planning to invest that night.

I was just trying to mind my business.

But Lagos had other plans.

It was 10:47 PM.

I was in my room watching a YouTube video titled “Top 10 Best ETFs for Beginner Investors”—mostly background noise—when my cousin Jubril called me.

His voice was shaky.

“Guy, abeg come Ikeja GRA. I’ll explain when you get here.”

That was already suspicious.

I sighed, shut down my laptop, grabbed my keys, and left. Something about Jubril’s tone felt off—like a mix of fear and adrenaline.

When I got there, I saw him pacing outside a restaurant, sweating like someone who had just checked his crypto wallet after a crash.

I stepped out of my car.

“Guy, what happened?” I asked.

He rushed toward me.

“Bro… I need to pick up something from Lekki tonight. Very important. Just drive first. I’ll explain.”

Important?

From Lekki?

At night?

I already knew this wasn’t going to be small matter.

But I started driving anyway.

Halfway through Third Mainland Bridge, he finally spoke.

“Bro… I put all my savings into one stock.”

I glanced at him.

“Which stock?”

He swallowed hard.

“Bro… it’s a gaming company.”

I blinked.

“Okay, is that a problem?”

He sighed.

“They announced bankruptcy today.”

I hit the brakes—gently, but dramatically enough.

“Ehn?! All your savings?!”

“Yes! Everything! I didn’t diversify! No gold investment, no index funds, no ETFs… NOTHING!”

He covered his face.

“I didn’t listen to your financial advice. I just wanted quick profits.”

I shook my head.

“Guy… you used your life savings to play Forex crash?”

He nodded.

Lagos breeze hit him like judgement.

We got to the house in Lekki Phase 1.

He stepped out quickly.

“Wait here,” he said.

Five minutes later, he returned with a small metal briefcase.

I raised a brow.

“What’s inside?”

He whispered:

“Gold.”

I froze.

“Gold?! As in real gold bars?!!”

He nodded like a guilty schoolboy.

“My backup savings. I bought them two years ago when someone told me investing in physical gold protects you from inflation.”

I stared at the case, then back at him.

“So… wait. You lost your stock money… but you’re still rich??”

He looked around suspiciously and whispered:

“Technically, yes.”

On our way back, a police checkpoint flagged us down.

Not unusual.

But the officer immediately noticed the metal case in the back seat.

“Oga, wetin dey inside?”

Jubril stuttered.

“It’s… it’s just—”

“Open it!” the officer commanded.

I opened it slowly.

When the officer saw the gold bars, his eyes widened like he’d just discovered Wakanda.

“Oga, this one pass checkpoint matter. Follow us go station.”

Before we could argue, another officer walked close and whispered to me:

“Is that gold real?”

“Yes,” I replied.

He looked at Jubril, then at me again.

Then he said:

“You, the driver, step aside. I need to talk to you privately.”

My heart started beating like Afrobeats drums.

He leaned in:

“Abeg… how person fit invest in gold like this? I want start small.”

I blinked.

That was not the conversation I expected.

The officer wasn’t arresting us—

he just wanted financial advice.

I explained everything:

How gold is a safe-haven asset

How ETFs like GLD and IAU let people invest without buying physical bars

How diversifying across stocks, gold, and index funds protects you from market crashes

How dollar-cost averaging can save beginners from emotional investing

How broad-market ETFs (SPY, VOO, VTI) build long-term wealth for Gen Z investors

The officer listened like he was preparing for WAEC.

When I finished, he said:

“Omo… so na because una no diversify, your brother lose money?”

I nodded.

“And na this gold save am?”

I nodded again.

He exhaled deeply.

“Una fit go.”

Just like that.

We entered the car in silence.

As I drove off, Jubril finally spoke:

“Bro… I swear, from today, I’m done chasing quick profits.”

I laughed.

“Welcome to responsible investing.”

He added:

“I’m selling one gold bar tomorrow and buying ETFs. Broad ones. The ones you told me about.”

I nodded proudly.

Then he said something I did not expect:

“And I’ll buy one gold bar for you too… for saving my life tonight.”

I nearly parked.

“For me?!”

“Yes. You deserve it.”

I smiled, overwhelmed.

But then—

A loud crash.

Someone hit us from behind.

We stepped out quickly.

And guess who stepped out of the other car?

The police officer.

He scratched his head.

“Sorry o! I was checking ETF prices on my phone. Didn’t see your brake lights.”

I burst into laughter.

Jubril nearly fainted.