Young Nigerian Prodigy, 10, Crafts App to Spark Kids' Money Smarts

Written By: Flipbz.org

In a remarkable display of youthful ingenuity, 10-year-old Abdulrazaq Isa, better known as Zaq, has launched a groundbreaking savings application aimed at equipping children with essential financial know-how. His creation, the Kids Future Funds Hub, or KFFH, pairs seamlessly with a newly released book, Zaqonomics: Financial Literacy for Kids, both crafted to demystify the basics of earning, saving, spending wisely, investing, and even giving back.

Zaq's venture, branded as Zaqonomics, cleverly blends his own name with the principles of economics, underscoring his bold goal to make complex money matters accessible and exciting for his peers. As he puts it, "I wanted a name that ties right back to me and to handling cash smartly. Youngsters like myself deserve to grasp saving early, so we can grow up secure and independent, without always leaning on grown-ups for support."

The spark for this ambitious project ignited during a relaxed family getaway, when everyday chores unexpectedly turned into a lesson in self-reliance. With no household help around, Zaq stepped up to scrub the kitchen, pocketing a tidy $20 reward from his grateful mom. That small win fueled a habit of steady saving, and when he finally cracked open his piggy bank, the sight of nearly $70 inside hit him like a thunderbolt. "Staring at that stash made it crystal clear: if kids just get the hang of it, we can stack up real wealth through everyday efforts," Zaq recalls. In that moment, the seed of Zaqonomics took root.

Backed by unwavering encouragement from his mother, Dr. Kate Isa, and the rest of the family, Zaq transformed his epiphany into action. Undeterred by repeated rejections from adults he approached for help, he rolled up his sleeves and dove into self-taught coding via user-friendly app-building tools. Bootstrapping the effort with $245 from his personal stash and family backing, he brought KFFH to fruition, all while adhering to his parents' firm one-hour daily limit on screens. That structure, Dr. Isa explains, was key to channeling his energy productively. "Boundaries like these build respect between parent and child, while instilling a deep sense of safety and self-value," she shares.

Zaq's natural brilliance hasn't gone unnoticed, especially by his coach, Apostle Obii Pax-Harry, who marvels at his precocious drive. "Zaq was miles ahead from day one, scripting his own roadmap while the rest of us caught up," she says, highlighting how the boy's talents routinely leap beyond what's expected at his age.

Today, with a polished app in hand, Zaq is turning heads in the finance world. He's already made a compelling pitch to Zenith Bank, envisioning a collaboration that links KFFH with kid-friendly debit features, offering hands-on dips into adult-like banking without the overwhelm. Meanwhile, his book Zaqonomics brings the lessons to life through engaging tales, clever chore-based earning ideas, brain-teasing puzzles, word hunts, and interactive exercises. It doesn't stop at kids, either, offering parents practical tips to nurture enduring financial routines at home.

Zaq's trailblazing efforts resonate deeply with a worldwide push to embed money education in childhood, a trend gaining steam across Nigeria and the broader African landscape. From surging fintech tools to innovative edtech programs like Money Africa Kids, the focus is sharpening on empowering the next generation early. For Dr. Isa, her son's story serves as a rallying cry for all families: "Give kids the space to shine and the tools to thrive. True potential simmers inside every child, just eager for the right nudge to burst forth."

Through Zaqonomics and KFFH, this pint-sized pioneer isn't merely charting his own course in business, he's lighting the way for countless others to seize control of their economic destinies with confidence and flair.