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“Computer Village, located in Ikeja, Lagos is arguably the biggest computer and allied products market in the West African sub region. Daily, huge sums of money exchange hands between buyers and sellers of phones, laptop computers and many other devices in the market. The market has also proven to be one of the biggest employers of labour as thousands of youth struggle to eke out a living by repairing phone and laptops. However, like most markets in Lagos, Computer Village is always overcrowded and this has been a source of worry for all stake holders in the market”…. Source: PM News Nigeria
Computer Village
Computer Village is not an exact location. It is a warren of streets which serves as a market mainly for electronic devices, but also clothing items and other “miscellaneous items”. This market is choked within a small area in-between the following streets in Ikeja; Oremeji Street, Ola-Ayeni Street, Otigba Street, Olayi Tomori Street and Pepple Street. All of that area is the famous Computer Village. I’d heard enough about Computer Village, so having to get my laptop fixed in the area really got me scared.
Since it was my first time, my friend volunteered to come along with me (considering she’d visited computer village a couple of times). So, the cab dropped us at the entrance and the journey began.
Immediately you get to Computer Village, all the hustlers start to drag you or try to get your attention. You will see guys selling high tech phones like Iphones, HTC, Samsungs etc, at a ridiculous prices. For example, one of the dudes offered to sell me a white 16GB iphone5C for 8,000 naira, a phone that normally cost about 95,000 naira.
I couldn’t help but wonder if the phones are stolen (hence their desperation to get rid of it), or just fake (another likely option). I’ve also heard some of the Computer Village merchants (especially those under umbrella stands), sell cheap Blackberry’s that work perfectly but have dual sim slots…TERRIBLE! In addition, Computer Village is so busy! if you have anything valuable, just don’t take it along with you (or be very careful), because your stuff will probably get stolen lost.
Although, there are reputable stores in Computer Village (e.g SLOT, AFFORDABLES, Samsung, Techno, Nokia, Brian, Micro Station, MizBeach, etc), there are also individuals who are ready to cheat you. For example, one might decide to buy a phone from one of the roadside dealers (which is very common), and then on getting home discover the phone you paid for is not the phone you got and probably doesn’t work. According to the popular Lagos Saying, “ALL NA PACKAGING”. If one falls victim to something like this, nothing can be done…so be warned!
One thing is certain about Computer Village, You can repair EVERY and ANYTHING. I mean ANYTHING. I really hope there can be a suitable platform for the technicians at Computer Village. They are pretty good at what they do.
Meanwhile, read here for a very funny computer village tale. Like I said, these kinds of occurrences are regular at Computer Village, so take heed and be careful when visiting The Jungle called Computer Village.
ReviewNaija Cares :*
I’m not in Lagos maybe I would have been there.I would love to be there.its gonna be a serious experience.
Lol at the bar soap story. And the pictures tho. Scary.
I got my s4 via exchange in computer village . I tried to be as careful as possible, the 1st phone didn’t work . But I was lucky to see the seller, and I got another. Just sheer luck. Computer village!!!!
Ash. I have a story similar to that one. I got an iphone with 2 sim .
I’ve heard so many horror stories about comp village, but i’ve also heard they fix almost anything. I’ve got a cousin who owns a store there…but these pics though…looks like a horror movie..lol.
This is so true. My friend got her iphone4s for 12k. I was shocked