Nollywood actress and philanthropist Tonto Dikeh has offered her followers a piece of unconventional financial wisdom aimed at shaping a more prosperous year in 2026. In a candid video message, she shared what she calls a "small secret" that many people often ignore, which she believes can fundamentally alter their financial trajectory.
The Core Principle: Shift Your Mindset From Asking to Giving
Dikeh's central advice is a direct challenge to a common social habit. She urged people to stop viewing affluent friends, family members, and influential figures solely as potential sources of future help. Instead, she advocates being intentional about giving to them first, regardless of the monetary value of the gift.
She explained her reasoning by highlighting the daily reality of successful individuals. According to the actress, wealthy people are inundated with countless messages and requests for assistance every single day. However, they rarely receive communication from people who simply want to give something to them or show genuine appreciation without an attached demand.
Stand Out By Being Different
"These people have thousands of DMs of people begging them, but not of people wanting to give them. Be different," Tonto Dikeh stated emphatically in the video posted on her Instagram page on February 1, 2026. She stressed that the act of giving should be done within one's financial capacity. The focus, she clarified, is not on the size or cost of the gift but on the heart and intention behind the gesture.
The actress expanded on this philosophy by referencing a lesson from her own life coach. She recalled being taught that leadership and blessings often flow through individuals who understand and practice the power of giving. This principle, she suggested, is a key differentiator in achieving personal and financial growth.
A Common Social Failing and the Path Forward
Tonto Dikeh also pointed out a common social oversight. She noted that many people consistently ask for favors from the reliable friends and contacts in their network, yet they have never taken the time to give those supporters even a small token of appreciation. This one-sided dynamic, she implies, can limit the flow of opportunities.
Her message is a call for a proactive and generous approach to networking and relationship-building. By being a giver first, one can establish a more meaningful and reciprocal connection, which could, in turn, open doors that constant asking might keep closed. The advice is framed as a strategic and heartfelt shift in behavior for the coming year.
