5 Freelance Jobs You Can Do with a Mobile Phone in Nigeria and How to Get Paid

As a Nigerian, you may have wondered if there are freelance jobs you can do with a mobile phone. New technology and the latest gadgets come with an additional challenge – that they are usually expensive. And to succeed in doing remote work or freelance jobs, it is highly recommended that you own a powerful laptop (with a minimum of 4GB RAM space).

Even more, you will need up-to-date apps, an updated operating system (Windows 10 and higher would be suitable), and constant internet. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to own a laptop computer. The commonest internet-enabled electronic gadget on the streets that you and I can say is a bit more affordable is a smartphone.  

So back to the question – are there freelance jobs you can do with a mobile phone in Nigeria? There are certainly such jobs if you are willing and ready to focus. Such freelance jobs you can do with a mobile phone range from simple to even specialized, skilled jobs. We have quite a number of such jobs being offered right here in Nigeria, and you get paid in local currency (Naira).

And if you wish to work for foreign employers, you can still achieve that right from your internet-enabled mobile phone. Some of these employers offer you payment methods that accept Nigerian account owners or otherwise, you use a domiciliary account. 

Which Freelance Jobs Can I Conveniently Do with My Mobile Phone?

We shall briefly discuss common freelance jobs you can do with a mobile phone in Nigeria and get paid reasonably well. You can find such jobs fairly abundantly both within and outside Nigeria. So you don’t need to be worried. Because such freelance jobs you can do with a mobile phone are easily available as you will see. As long as you have a stable internet connection.

We present to you 5 of the most popular freelance jobs you can do with a mobile phone and with ease. And better still, they are high-earning jobs as well. Many of these jobs do not require being in a physical office. There are remote, on-site, or hybrid (both in and out of the office) work arrangements  The more skilled and experienced you become, the higher your potential (and actual) earnings. So sit back, read along, and get ready to be employed on your mobile phone.

Graphics Designer

It is desirable to learn how to create attractive designs using typical desktop software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or Corel Draw. However, you can equally create lovely designs on your mobile phone with apps such as Canva, Pixlr, Behance, or Autodesk SketchBook Pro. And scores of other powerful graphic design apps you can download (both free and paid) from the either Apple Store or Google Play Store. 

Besides this, some of these graphic desktop software have mobile phone versions – Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for instance. 

Virtual Assistant

The job of a virtual assistant can be fairly broad. Essentially, a virtual assistant performs a range of administrative (office management) functions to support other office workers. Such jobs include:

• creating and editing all kinds of office documents 
• data entry 
• monitoring office supplies
• handling office equipment 
• handling phone, text, email, and chat communication (with customers and staff)
• taking minutes of meetings
• organizing meetings 
• travel, accommodation, and event planning
• handling the workplace’s social media accounts and interactions

and the list goes on and on. Virtual assistants are very versatile and in high demand. There is no doubt that you will succeed better as a virtual assistant working on a powerful laptop computer. But you would be surprised that a whole lot of these functions can actually be done on a mobile phone. All you need is to have:

• Standard Office apps (the entire suite/package): Google Suite, MS Office, WPS Office
• Common social media apps: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp (and any other necessary one)
• Fast typing skills
• Good listening skills
• Good communication and interaction skills

Social Media Manager

Your job as a social media manager is to handle the social media accounts of your company or boss. You must keep their social media accounts alive, constantly connected, and interactive with customers and visitors who come to these sites. You will need to create interesting content (video, audio, pictures, text) that will drive more followers to the site. And get them excited about your brand. Virtually all of these tasks can be done easily on your mobile phone.

Writer/Copywriter

Do you have a way with words? Can you weave interesting magic with your writing? I can tell you that the demand for creative writers in Nigeria and worldwide has soared in the last few years. Writers are now engaged to write meaningful and engaging content that can attract readers, who may become loyal customers of a brand. You can even go a step further to write content that sells – that is, to directly market a product as a copywriter. But you will need at least these essential instruments: 

• Writing apps (e.g. MS Word, Google Docs, WPS Office). You can easily download them for free on Google Play store, or Apple Store.
• Email software (for a copywriter)
• Fast typing skills
• Good storytelling and content ideas

Online Tutor

You can go online to teach people (both young and old) in your area of specialization. There are many learning websites and apps that employ tutors to instruct their students in one course or the other. You can do so through educative videos, text materials, audio tutorials, and even chat (such as Whatsapp classes). Otherwise, you may create your own educative videos and training materials. Then post them on your own dedicated website, or social media (e.g. Youtube, Facebook).

In Nigeria alone, you will find numerous authentic online tutoring sites and apps that employ tutors to handle students of secondary and higher institutions. They include PrepClass, TeacherOn, Tuteria, Superprof NG, Edukoya, Primal Tutor, and a couple of others. You can also choose to work with foreign sites as an online tutor.

And mark you, tutoring services are not limited to mainstream teaching alone. You may also be employed to teach specialized courses such as ICT, management, accounting, health sciences, motivational talks, and several other specialized career topics that fit into your skillset. 

Freelance Jobs You Can Do with a Mobile Phone: How to Get Paid

As pointed out already, we have an abundance of freelance jobs you can do with a mobile phone (and/or computer) in Nigeria. So you are usually privileged to be paid in Naira and direct to your bank account. However, if you are working with foreign employers, there are payment platforms that are commonly used to facilitate changing your earnings in foreign currency to Naira. So you should create an account with them and be ready. They include the likes of Payoneer and grey.co. 

You can go a step further to open a domiciliary account with any Nigerian bank, to be able to receive and send international currency by direct wire transfer. 

Alternatively, consider working on freelance sites that help Nigerians easily convert their earnings to Naira. The money is then sent to your local bank account. They include Landing Jobs, Upwork, and Fiverr. 

Author: Omolola Akinyemi