Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has advised Nigerians against spending lavishly on the newly released iPhone 17, stressing that even Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, uses a simple Android phone.
He made this known in a post shared on his X account on Thursday, where he accompanied a statement with a picture of himself and Dangote.
“Zoom in on the phone Alhaji Aliko Dangote is using, and you will notice that it is not an expensive iPhone 17 Pro Max or any fancy device. It is a regular Android phone, and not even a new one at that. Yet, according to Forbes Magazine, this is the wealthiest person in Africa, the 86th richest human on Earth, and the Black person with the highest net worth on this planet,” Omokri wrote.
He explained that during his recent stay with Dangote in Lagos, he observed that the billionaire’s modest lifestyle reflected genuine simplicity and contentment.
“In the few days I spent with him in Lagos, Nigeria, last week, this was the only phone I saw Alhaji Dangote use. His genuine simplicity and contentment are such attractive virtues. It is no wonder that God has blessed him impactfully,” he said.
Omokri urged Nigerians to avoid purchasing costly phones merely to impress others, adding that a phone should be valued for its usefulness, not its price tag.
“A phone is not a financial investment. It is a utilitarian device whose primary purpose is to help you communicate with others beyond your physical presence. Therefore, conversations you have on a phone are more important than the brand and price of your phone.”
He further advised the public to make financial decisions based on necessity rather than vanity.
“As such, resist the urge to buy an iPhone 17, whether real or a clever fake from China, or any other expensive phone brand, as a status symbol. iPhones are an excellent choice of phone. I recommend them. Do buy one if you need it. But let your consumption be driven by need, not by vanity,” he said.
Omokri warned that companies like Apple thrive on planned obsolescence to keep consumers spending on newer models.
“If your old phone is still working, use it and invest your extra money. Apple, the maker of iPhones, has already planned the obsolescence of the iPhone 17. As you read this, the iPhone 18 is already in production. Planned obsolescence is a business strategy of every luxury brand!”
He also cautioned against spending money to maintain social status, encouraging people to invest wisely instead.
“Refuse to go broke in the desire for social status. Even if you are already rich, invest your money, like Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and make more to help the less privileged among humanity. Spending to attain social ranking is a ruse because the minute you buy that latest item, the producers are already set to release a later model that will make yours outdated,” he noted.
He, however, urged Nigerians against overreliance on savings, emphasising that investment yields better financial returns.
“And while saving is a good habit, frugality can never make you rich. Banks use your savings to make between 18% and 24% return on investment. Then they give you 2% savings interest, and you celebrate. How much is inflation? 21%. You are getting 19% below the inflation rate. Your money is reducing. That is why you should invest and make a return on investment higher than the inflation rate.”
