The Android versus iPhone debate has been a part of popular internet culture for as long as most people have been online. Every now and then, a heated argument on the topic breaks out. But one thing unites both groups: regardless of brand, your smartphone can be a great money-maker.

You can make money with your phone in Nigeria by using a savings and investment app or by becoming a social media manager. But there’s also e-commerce, social media influencer marketing, course creation and sales, online consulting, freelancing and content creation.

In this article, you’ll learn how to make money with your phone in Nigeria — whether you use an iPhone or Android. These ten ideas are real, and you can get started today using only your smartphone, internet access and maybe a power bank. Let’s jump right in!

1. Use a savings and investment app

Savings and investment apps are pretty straightforward. They allow you to save or invest money and receive interest. You receive this interest daily, weekly, monthly or yearly — depending on what kind of platform you use.

Today, you can choose from hundreds of savings and investment apps on the App Store or the Google Play Store. Each app comes with different offerings and a corresponding level of risk.

One of the best apps you can use to make money with your phone in Nigeria is PiggyVest. It includes six savings and investment plans to help you build wealth. You can learn more about how PiggyVest works by checking out this insightful article.

2. Try social media influencer marketing

Social media influencers are impossible to miss if you’re active on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. From Dammypep to Toyosi Godwin, it’s almost like you find success stories wherever you look.

It’s a success story you can be a part of — as long as you have a phone and the right content to grow your social media engagement numbers.

As a social media influencer, you’ll persuade your audience to buy a product or take action — usually in partnership with one or more brands. It’s a simple way to make money with your phone in Nigeria and can become a long-term gig if you do it well.

Want to learn more about social media influencer marketing in Nigeria? Check out this illuminating interview with Salem King.

3. Become a social media manager

As a social media manager, you’ll handle a brand or individual’s social media pages — from Instagram to TikTok and maybe to Threads, the new app by Meta. Therefore, you’ll be responsible for the brand/individual’s public interactions; you’ll also handle tasks like uploading content to their accounts.

It’s a simple way to make money with your phone in Nigeria and requires almost zero experience. Most jobs only require that you have some experience with the inner workings of the platform you’ll be managing.

Still, some social media management roles go beyond posting content and replying to comments. You may be required to carry out a company’s social media content strategy, which often entails studying engagement statistics and creating online promotions.

4. Start an e-commerce store

E-commerce stores are hot right now, thanks to platforms like WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter). In fact, it’s almost impossible to go through your WhatsApp status without seeing product offerings from, at the minimum, one of your contacts — and with good reason. It’s pretty profitable and almost effortless to set up.

You only need an online marketplace like PocketApp and the goods or services you want to sell. Of course, it’s essential that you have willing buyers.

Thankfully, PocketApp solves this problem by allowing you to market and display your offerings easily while serving as a secure payment platform for you and your buyers.

E-commerce is a great way to make money with your phone in Nigeria today, and you can even sell old and used products to interested customers.

5. Become an online consultant

Consulting is big business — whether you’re in finance, marketing or engineering. It’s a great way to make money with your phone in Nigeria if you understand how a field works or if you are a professional in the relevant industry.

All you need to do is connect with the right clients, perhaps using platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, and pitch your services.

You can charge companies and individuals a decent sum as a consultant. But you do have to be good to excel.

6. Create and sell courses

Creating and selling courses is another great way to make money with your phone in Nigeria. This option is perfect if you’re a professional or pretty knowledgeable about a topic, which makes it similar to online consulting. 

You should make great sales if the courses are well-curated, properly produced and contain valuable insights for your clientele.

And you can choose to present your course in video or written format — depending on which method works for you and your intended audience.

7. Try freelancing

Freelancing is an excellent way to make money with your phone in Nigeria if you have in-demand skills and can market yourself effectively. It’s such a great way to make money that you can become a freelancer if you want to make money in one hour or need an online business that pays daily.

Some of the skills you could sell as a freelancer include:

• Web research
• Writing
• Online tutoring
• Graphics and design
• Animation 
• Video production and editing
• Web and app development

Do you want some pointers on how to make it big as a freelancer? Then check out this article on how to make money on Fiverr in Nigeria.

8. Become a content creator

You can become a viral content creator like Tosin Samuel, whether you prefer to use TikTok or want to explore Elon Musk’s Twitter (like the Igbo Wolf). And just like being a social media influencer, it’s an easy way to make money with your phone in Nigeria — as long as your content is top-notch!

This content can be around anything and everything, but it’s important to note that you might need to pick a niche — like creating product or event videos — if you want to excel.

Thankfully, multiple monetisation channels exist these days. You can make money through ads, sponsorships and partnership programs.

9. Become a customer care agent

Customer care is an essential part of any brand or business, and it can be an excellent way for you to make money with your phone in Nigeria. 

Customer care agents — sometimes called customer care representatives — work as support staff and help customers navigate a product or service.

Depending on the brand, you may need to send and receive emails or get on several phone calls to help customers having a problem or requiring answers to their inquiries.

10. Become a virtual assistant

Virtual assistants are precisely what you’d expect them to be — remote employees that provide customers with administrative support. As a virtual assistant, you’ll manage your client’s calendar and respond to emails and phone calls.

It’s a straightforward way to make money with your phone in Nigeria, but you might need some training to excel. Fortunately, you can take short online courses to help get you started. 

Conclusion

These ten ideas are relatively easy enough to jump on almost immediately. Of course, evaluating your skills and strengths will be essential to ensure you thrive in whatever field you intend to dive into.