The foreign reserves drop and my WhatsApp group chat is losing it

See ehn, I was just minding my business this morning, sipping my tea and scrolling through my phone before heading to the co-working space. Then my cousin sends a link to this article about Nigeria's foreign reserves falling to $51.96bn and the naira declining against the dollar. Bros, my WhatsApp group chat for family don turn into a full economic summit.

My uncle, who sells phone accessories in Alaba, is shouting that this is why his business is suffering. My other cousin, who just got a job at a fintech startup, is trying to explain exchange rate mechanics. And my auntie, God bless her, is just sending voice notes saying we should all pray. I can't. The thing is, I've been consulting in this space long enough to know that these numbers don't tell the whole story, but watching everyone react is genuinely entertaining.

Meanwhile, I'm sitting here calculating how much my next project invoice will be worth in real terms. In this economy, you have to think in dollars even when you're paid in naira. It's giving survival mode with a side of anxiety.