Nigerian businessman Femi Otedola has provoked conversation after posting a short, provocative message on social media saying, “Money you don’t spend isn’t yours, life is for the living.”
Supporters praised the sentiment as a reminder to enjoy life and to put wealth to use for experiences, family and immediate needs. Others argued the remark downplays the importance of saving, long-term planning and using wealth to build broader economic security.
Observers say the statement has re-opened an old debate about the responsibilities of the wealthy: whether fortunes should primarily be enjoyed by their owners or funneled into investments, philanthropy and measures that help address inequality. Economists and social commentators note that both spending and saving play roles in personal welfare and national economic health, depending on context.
Some commentators also pointed to the ways personal spending can stimulate local businesses and create short-term economic activity, while others warned that glorifying unchecked consumption can be tone-deaf in countries facing poverty and unemployment.
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