Nigerian Forex Trader
In this episode of Market Mamas, the I sit down with Chinonso, a dedicated Forex trader from Nigeria, who shares his honest and inspiring trading journey. The conversation offers valuable insights into what it really takes to succeed in the markets — beyond the hype and quick-money promises.
Chinonso began trading after seeing flashy ads and getting curious about how people were making money just by sitting at their computers. He started learning through YouTube videos, like many beginners, but quickly realized trading was far more difficult than it looked. After several losses, and almost quitting, he made a key decision: to invest in a mentor and take trading seriously. That’s when his growth truly began!
Though I trade futures and Chinonso focuses on Forex, we agreed that the core principles of trading — such as technical analysis, risk management, and reading price action — are very similar. The biggest differences lie in leverage, lot sizes, and how the markets react to fundamentals. Forex, for example, often responds to global economic shifts, while futures (especially crypto-related) can be more sentiment-driven.
One of the most valuable parts of the conversation was Chinonso’s emphasis on emotional control. Early on, he traded based on feelings, greed, and impulse. Over time, he learned that mastering your mindset is just as important as mastering charts. As he put it, “You are the biggest instrument in the market.” Once he started taking a more structured and disciplined approach, he pivoted and things started to turn around!
Chinonso also shared how long it took to build a strategy that worked for him — not just during trending markets, but through tough, choppy conditions too. It wasn’t a quick win. It involved countless failures, blown accounts, and self-reflection. What made the difference was his willingness to adapt his strategy as the market changed. This is such a critical component to truly creating a repeatable and viable trading system.
This adaptability is key to long-term success. The markets evolve constantly, and if traders aren’t willing to evolve with them, they’ll be left behind. That doesn’t mean constantly switching strategies, but rather refining and adjusting your system as conditions shift. Being flexible and open to the current rhythm of Miss Market.
When it comes to trend vs. counter-trend trading, Chinonso didn’t hesitate: follow the trend. While scalping counter-trend moves can sometimes work, it’s a dangerous habit that can wipe out profits quickly. His advice? Stay with the momentum, manage your risk, and don’t try to fight the market.
“The trend is your friend” holds true — not just as a cliché, but as a mindset and strategy for protecting capital and building consistency.
Chinonso made it clear: counter-trend trading is emotionally exhausting. When you’re going against the trend, your conviction is fragile. You're constantly second-guessing your entry, watching the price move against you, and often closing trades prematurely out of fear. It creates stress, doubt, and an unstable trading mindset.
But when you trade with the trend, you’re calmer. You’re aligned with market momentum, and even if the trade doesn't work out, you’re less likely to beat yourself up — because you followed your plan. As Chinonso put it, trend trading removes a lot of emotional pressure, while counter-trend trading tends to drain your mental capital.
The Trend is your FRIEND!
We also discussed how discipline and sticking to your plan are what truly define a professional trader — not chasing setups or trying to “beat” the market.
When asked how he stayed grounded while developing his strategy, Chinonso shared something many traders can relate to: he leaned on reading and mentorship. His mentor introduced him to The Psychology of Money, and that sparked a love for reading books that built both trading skills and personal growth.
He dove into titles like Trading in the Zone, The Trading Bible, and The Richest Man in Babylon — books that aren’t just about charts, but about mindset, consistency, and personal responsibility.
One of the most powerful takeaways from those books? “The trader you want to be is outside the chart.” It’s not about finding the perfect indicator — it’s about mastering the habits, discipline, and self-awareness before you even touch the chart. Once that foundation is strong, your performance on the screen naturally improves.
Both Chinonso and I agreed: chasing profits without a solid foundation leads nowhere. Many new traders want to “make money fast,” but the real pros focus on building a strategy they trust and executing it with discipline. The money follows — but only if you stop chasing it and start working on sustainability with patience.
Chinonso emphasized that even during losing weeks — which are inevitable — if you're sticking to your plan, the long-term results will come. It’s not about the win rate of a single week. It’s about consistency, compounding, and emotional control.
Interestingly, one of Chinonso’s secrets to trading success isn’t found in a chart or a book — it’s in daily push-ups. Both myself and Chinonso agree that physical activity has become part of our routines to manage stress, boost energy, and clear our minds after tough trading days. It’s now a lifestyle that helps us stay sharp and disciplined — both mentally and physically.
He also values taking intentional breaks. Whether it’s a midweek trip to visit friends or simply stepping away from the charts to read or reflect, he’s learned that breaks are a strength, not a weakness. They help him return more focused, emotionally recharged, and less likely to make impulsive decisions. Such great advice for any traders!
Chinonso offered honest, heartfelt advice for new traders: Don’t “go all in” on a single trade. Go all in on your journey!
He cautions against the popular but dangerous mentality of risking everything for a big win. Instead, he urges traders to start small, compound your profits, and grow over time. Risking everything — especially without a backup plan — can lead to fear, desperation, and emotional wreckage if the trade doesn’t go your way, not to mention the literal loss of funds / accounts.
Instead, he recommends focusing on discipline, education, and emotional growth. Stay grounded, read, study, and build a strategy that fits you. That’s where long-term success comes from — not flashy wins or social media hype.
This conversation wasn’t just about trading — it was about self-mastery, growth, and the mindset it takes to build something real in the markets. Chinonso reminded us that consistency comes from building good habits, staying emotionally balanced, and always being a student of the game.
Chinonso’s journey as a forex trader is a powerful reminder that trading isn’t about quick wins — it’s about patience, personal growth, and persistence. He didn’t get where he is by chasing shortcuts, but by sticking with it, learning from mistakes, and staying adaptable. If you’re serious about trading, his story is one worth listening to.
Conversations with other traders are so valuable for me to have, and hence are such a gift for me to be able to bring to the public in this way! I really enjoy learning together from like-minded professionals and helping each other with tactics and tips that can help us all level up maybe just a bit quicker! If you find value too, please do like and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform you caught this conversation on and let’s evolve together into the highest profitability!! And if you are considering being a guest on my podcast we well, reach out and let’s talk!! https://www.market-mamas.com/contact Take care and happy trading!