Computer Village, Ikeja

Everything you need to know before buying anything.

By Olufunmilola Onabanjo

You might have heard the saying “When in Rome, act like the Romans” so also when you’re in Ikeja, act like the Ikejans- be street smart. Especially when you need to buy anything gadgets and/or phone and computer accessories in computer village at Ikeja.

Computer village in Ikeja is the largest Information communication and technology accessory market in Lagos- the one-stop place to solve your gadget problems. The ICT hub also recognized as the “Silicon Valley of West Africa” is located somewhere between Ikeja along the Abeokuta expressway and Ikeja under bridge bus stop.

Computer village in Ikeja is opened daily (with exceptions for Sundays and public holidays.) for business related to providing a wide variety of services ranging from sale, swap and repair of phones; sales of phone accessories, laptops, and computer accessories; and phone assembly, among others.

The prices of those products differ based on the quality. For instance, phone prices in computer village can be as low as N20,000 or even lower if it’s a London-used phone. If you desire to buy your gadget at the computer village in Ikeja, then below are things you should know.

5 things you should know for a better buying experience in computer village

1. Computer village is crowded

Computer village in Ikeja is no doubt a busy place. People flock nonstop from all corners of the market in a bid to make the best purchase decisions but not everyone is there to buy or sell phones and computer gadgets. Quite a number of them are pick-pocketers. They bump into unknowing persons and just like that, valuable items like money, jewelry, and phones amongst others disappear into thin air. Hence you need to stay alert- keep your eyes on the road and your items as well. If possible, clutch them to your chest. (just kidding) but you should still safeguard your valuables and be mindful of the person behind and beside you.

2. Roadside sellers may pester you

The moment you step into the market, you’ll be faced with roadside sellers asking you a series of questions successively. “Customer, wetin you wan buy? Phone? Laptop? Repair?” “I get confam phones way you go like… my shop no far from here… follow me buy”

They might even try to hold your hands and pull you towards their shops just in a bid to convince you to buy from them. If you’re not interested in their offer, politely say “NO” and steer away from them.

3. Avoid buying from roadside sellers except…

You’re tech-savvy and can differentiate between fake and original IT gadgets at a glance. Many of the roadside sellers/ mobile vendors in computer village will offer you mouth-watering deals if you patronize them in their stand. News flash- be careful what you’re buying isn’t a clone looking like a spic-and-span phone, laptop, or IT accessory. You should buy your gadgets at slots or stores within the computer village market.

4. Don’t be in a haste to do business

Don’t be in a hurry to buy gadgets in computer village. You can be outsmarted if you do so. This is because scammers are looking for people to dupe. They can sell phones worth thousands of naira in SLOT at a ridiculously low amount under the pretext of a “discount”. In fact, they would allow you to haggle the price to your satisfaction before you’re hoodwinked. See story here

5. Avoid Isolated areas/corners

Mobile vendors might persuade you to follow them to their shops. Sometimes you’d have to pass in between different shops in a building that is quite rowdy or corners leading to an isolated area. It’s best if you stick to open spaces full of people when you want to buy phones and computer accessories in computer village.

Pro tip: Be Street smart

If it’s your first time going to a computer village, you might need to ask someone that is street smart to follow you and help you with your buying decisions. But if you prefer to go alone, don’t act like a novice. This might make you susceptible to cheap tricks from scammers when they realize you’re new or unfamiliar with the market.

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