Temi jolted awake to her phone’s alarm blaring in her ear. “Another day, another hustle,” she groaned, smacking the snooze button with more force than necessary. Her phone screen lit up with a flood of notifications, waking her up more than the alarm did. With zero naira in her bank as she withdrew the last 2k in her account last night to buy her favorite shawarma, she wondered “How does everyone else have it figured out”? Between mounting bills, endless traffic, and the relentless pressure of her 9-5 job, Temi felt like she was sinking in a sea of chaos with no lifeline in sight – looking like what she is going through.
Slumping back on her bed, she scrolled through her feed, each post a reminder of her unfulfilled dreams. Six-figure deals, front-row concert seats, elite parties – she dreamt of that life, not this treadmill of stress. Then, her phone lit up, a new notification. This was a post from her old university friend, Alex. Alex was looking sharp. With his signature punk hairstyle that she couldn’t seem to forget, and a well-ironed suit, the picture before her was a selfie at a sleek Ikeja café, captioned: Chaos to cashflow—who’s ready? Her face brightened up with a smile. “That’s it”. Without wasting time, she sent Alex a DM: “Hi Alex, it’s so nice to see you are doing well after school. How do you make it look so easy? Coffee is on me would you be willing to share.” His reply was instant: “10 a.m., Ikeja. Be there”.
Finally! This might just be the answer to her prayers. She threw on her best Ankara top, grabbed her bag, and hit the streets – maybe today was her day after all. Meeting up with Alex was all the clarity she needed. Breathless, the first question as she sat was “I need to know – how do you do it? You’re out here, living the dream, while I’m just… surviving”. Alex, with a smile, whispered to her, “it’s not magic; it is in finding the right tools”.
Alex had cracked the code – turning his chaos into cashflow. You can too. Here are the five must-have apps Alex shared with Temi to thrive, not just survive.
WhatsApp – The silent doer
Let’s be real: WhatsApp isn’t just an app – it’s a global unofficial operating system. From your mum’s morning prayer broadcasts to online vendors selling shoes, wigs, and jollof pots in WhatsApp group, to your boss dropping 11 p.m. deadlines, this green icon is the silent doer.
With WhatsApp, you can: Send messages worldwide, organize family groups for “aso-ebi” planning, and even give your hustle a professional edge using WhatsApp Business. Sure, the endless motivational quotes at 5 a.m. can test your patience, but try deleting WhatsApp – you’ll feel like you just left planet Earth.
Google Maps – Your Naija’s chaos navigator
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck at 7 a.m. on Rumuokoro flyover, you’ll understand why Google Maps deserves a national medal. It’s not just about finding directions – it’s about purpose.
With Google Maps, you can: Avoid hold-ups and save precious hours, discover new restaurants, or chill spots with killer reviews and avoid awkward “Oga, where una dey carry go?” moments with bus drivers.
Even in smaller towns, Maps helps you explore safely without getting lost and recommends shorter routes to avoid traffic. Whether you’re in Lagos or exploring a new city abroad, it’s your co-pilot.
FirstMobile – Banking Without Wahala
Let’s talk money moves. Picture this: you are having this very hot gist with your best friend, laughing about how you saw and survived the shege of the day and your airtime runs out mid-gist, what would you do? With the FirstMobile app, you need not worry. It is your personal, secure bank on your phone. No more queuing at ATMs or begging POS agents – you can transfer rent in seconds, buy data during a client call, and pay your bills from your couch, making boss moves anywhere and everywhere.
Need to make a quick transfer with no data? *894# Quick Banking is your go-to. And because your money moves differently, FirstOnline and the LIT app also helps keep you connected – from seamless transactions to smart saving and investment habits.
It’s all part of one smooth FirstBank experience – banking that fits your hustle. If there’s one app to start with today, make it the FirstMobile app.
Canva – The Hustle Packager
Everywhere in the world, perception is key. A bland flyer or basic Instagram post can sink your hustle before you even make it. From flyers for your products to Instagram stories that scream professionalism, Canva can make you look like you have a design team on speed dial.
With Canva, you can: Design eye-catching posters, business cards, or social media posts, create pitch decks to impress investors and even make quick birthday shout-outs that look like you hired a pro.
Whether you’re a hair stylist in Kubwa, a tech bro in Yaba, or a teacher running side classes in Warri, Canva helps you look the part without breaking the bank.
Spotify (or Boomplay/Apple Music/SoundCloud) – Fuel for Your Soul
After the day’s hustle, you need a vybe reset – Afrobeats to hype you up, worship tracks, or even jazz for that late-night deadline. Amid erratic power and fuel prices rising like the morning sun, music is therapy – keeping you sane, inspired, and ready for the next day’s grind.
Since our daily grind comes with its own unique spice, here are two extras to think about:
• eTaxi & Food Delivery Apps – Let’s be honest, flagging down a cab on the road is a gamble you don’t always want to play. With an eTaxi app, you can order a ride, track your driver in real time, and even split the fare with friends – scroll, order, and get your food delivered to your doorstep.
• Online Marketplaces – Need a budget-friendly fridge, or a new couch? These apps bring the Alaba market to your phone – browse, bargain, and score deals without leaving the comfort of your couch.
Life’s hustle doesn’t come with a manual, but these apps can make the journey smoother. So, dive in, stack your phone with these essentials, and let your hustle be sharp. Also remember to have your FirstBank card ready for seamless payments – physically and online. After all, in this Naija of ours, the smart ones don’t just work hard—they work smarter.
Temi heaved a sigh of relief as she meandered through Play Store to download the apps she didn’t have. Smart work indeed! The first rule of navigating my hustle in Naija. “Now Alex, tell me about the six figures” she said softly, taking another sip of her coffee.
References:
Ladybird Limited
https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/getfirstmobile/
https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/cards/
https://www.pulse.ng/search-results?keywords=Nigeria%27s%20inflation%20worsens,%20increased%20to%2034.80%%20in%20December%20-%20NBS
https://nairametrics.com/?s=86%25+of+smartphone+users+in+Nigeria+are+on+Android+%E2%80%94+Report++&category=&tag=&start=&end=
