Kelechi Onyeama, a 21-year-old student from Nigeria, has turned his communication challenges into an overnight success, generating over $60,000 a month through his app, Social Wizard. His initial project to improve digital interactions has evolved into a widely used platform influencing how young people communicate online.
The Inspiration Behind Social Wizard
Kelechi Onyeama’s work began with his own communication challenges. “I found myself staring at my phone, unsure about saying the right thing,” he shares. This common experience among Gen Z led him to develop an application that helps users compose responses for digital interactions. When Kelechi demonstrated the Social Wizard to friends, he recognized its broader appeal.
The app’s main feature allows users to share message screenshots and receive artificial intelligence (AI)–suggested responses in different styles, from casual to formal. This approach has helped establish Social Wizard in the digital communication market.
Rapid Growth and Financial Success
The initial response to Social Wizard surpassed Kelechi Onyeama’s projections. “This was a side project that turned into something, I didn’t expect lots of people to use it” he recalls. The app gained users through recommendations and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, where content creators showcased its features.
This growth has led to over 500,000 downloads and a 4.8-star rating on the App Store, generating more than $500,000 in revenue.
Addressing AI Communication Concerns
Social Wizard’s expansion has raised questions about AI’s influence on modern communication. Discussions have centered on how these tools may influence interaction patterns among younger users, with communication researchers noting the growing presence of technology in daily exchanges.
Kelechi Onyeama maintains that Social Wizard is a communication tool rather than a substitute for personal interaction. The platform offers options for users to modify AI-suggested responses and develop individual writing styles. Usage data indicates that most users revise their messages extensively, making the app more of a guide than an automated service. “We see users treating our suggestions as starting points,” Kelechi Onyeama notes. “Each person shapes the message to reflect their voice.”
Future Plans and Lessons Learned
Social Wizard has opened new doors for Kelechi Onyeama. In 2024, he met Greg Brockman, co-founder of OpenAI, who took an interest in the app’s development. “My goal is to build a software development studio and create more AI-driven applications,” Kelechi shares. With plans to expand into the health and fitness sectors while continuing to enhance digital communication, he aims to push the boundaries of AI’s impact on everyday life.
The evolution of Social Wizard—from a personal project to a thriving application—serves as a blueprint for aspiring developers. It highlights how niche solutions can scale across industries while generating sustainable revenue. Kelechi’s approach to product development, driven by continuous user feedback and strategic expansion, exemplifies a structured and effective method for building digital products in today’s fast-moving market.
Photo Courtesy of: Kelechi Onyeama
