What It’s Like to Be a Woman Selling Gadgets in Computer Village

By Ejiofor Toochi

In today’s world, many women are stepping into male-dominated spaces, not just in corporate offices, but in jobs once considered unsuitable for them. From bus drivers to mechanics, and even in Computer Village, the biggest gadget hub in Nigeria, dominated by men, women are now breaking this norm and thriving as well. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a woman selling gadgets in Computer Village?

For over three years, Michael Stacy, a final-year student at the University of Lagos, has been selling gadgets and accessories. She began her journey during the prolonged ASUU strike, at a time when many students were sitting idle. “A friend of mine needed a laptop to learn a tech skill, and I thought to myself, ‘Why can’t I be the one to provide her with this?’ That need sparked my interest. I got some contacts from wholesalers and suppliers, and as time went on, I started working in Computer Village,” she recalled.

Starting her business provided not just income, but also valuable connections, marketing experience, and confidence. Still, she quickly learned that surviving in Computer Village takes more than good products. “One of the challenges is building customer trust,” Stacy explained. “Because most of my ads are done online, people often think I’m not genuine. Even after assuring them over and over again that I won’t run away with their money and that they’ll get quality products, it’s still hard for them to believe.”

The bigger challenge, Stacy mentioned, lies in gender stereotypes. In a market space where tech deals are expected to be handled by men who are presumed to have more knowledge, being a woman means having to prove oneself constantly. Oftentimes, this means dealing with customers who try to take advantage. “Some customers don’t trust my knowledge about gadgets at first simply because I’m a female. Others think they can manipulate prices or talk down to me.”

“On the flip side,” she added, “there are customers who get really impressed seeing a lady doing this, and they intentionally support me because of that.”

Beyond unfair assumptions, Stacy has, on multiple occasions, faced sexual harassment. “People make sexual comments or requests for inappropriate pictures just because I’m a lady in the gadget business. It’s really disrespectful and unprofessional, but sadly, it happens often.”

While being in a male-dominated occupation poses its challenges, Stacy, like many other women, has since learnt to take advantage of the good. “Being a woman makes me stand out in the gadget space, so I use that to build my brand identity. Some customers deliberately want to support female businesses, so it gives me an edge there”

She advised, “As a woman, if you handle your business professionally and smartly, people tend to remember you and recommend you because you stand out.”