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What T-bills are

Understand why t-bill safety has two components: (1) sovereign backing — the federal government's obligation, considered very low risk, (2) short duration (91-364 days) — limits exposure to interest rate changes.

In this lesson

What T-bills are is part of Treasury Bills Lab. This preview shows how investment-universe connects to everyday family decisions such as earning, saving, spending choices, goals, approvals, or parent-guided money conversations inside Progress Penguin.

Today’s money mission

Imagine this situation: You lend the Nigerian government 500000 in local currency by buying a 91-day T-bill at 18% annual rate.

What you need to know

T-bill safety has two components: (1) sovereign backing — the federal government's obligation, considered very low risk, (2) short duration (91-364 days) — limits exposure to interest rate changes. Both make T-bills the closest thing to risk-free investment in Nigerian naira.

Real-life example

Real-life money moment: You lend the Nigerian government 500000 in local currency by buying a 91-day T-bill at 18% annual rate. What do you receive at the end of 91 days? The key lesson is: T-bill interest: 500,000×18%×(91/365)=22,397≈22,500.

Progress Penguin connection

Open the investment simulator and buy a simulated 91-day T-bill at a discount. Watch the balance at maturity — the difference between the discounted purchase price and the face value received is the return. No coupon payments arrive during the term; the profit is entirely at maturity.

Activity preview

Try the money challenge

Run the investment model and test: t-bill safety has two components: (1) sovereign backing — the federal government's. Adjust one variable — time, rate, or amount — and note which has the biggest effect on the final balance.

Try one real money action

Open Tasks and submit proof for one task, or open Requests and make a deposit request. Parent approval can happen later.

Quiz preview

Treasury bills are:

Short-term government debt instruments
Stocks when planning ahead
Long-term bonds over the longer term
Bank accounts over the longer term

You lend the Nigerian government 500000 in local currency by buying a 91-day T-bill at 18% annual rate. What do you receive at the end of 91 days?

500000 in local currency only — no interest on T-bills
500000 in local currency principal plus 22500 in local currency interest (18%×500,000×91/365)
590000 in local currency — full annual interest
Monthly payments of interest plus principal at end