With some people as laptop mechanics, I.T support providers to SMEs as well as large Organisations and traders; for over two decades, computer village, a technology cluster in the Ikeja area of Lagos state south west Nigeria, has served the technology product needs of Nigeria and west Africa by extension.
Computer village is a highly patronised market for a wide range of technology products, ranging from phones, laptops and other gadgets. it is also the hub for product parts and repairs of gadget. several people work and make a living at computer village. it is presently situated in the Ikeja axis of Lagos, Nigeria.
Computer village” houses over 3,000 information technology (IT) SMEs. here, in a technology community to match anywhere on the continent, hundreds of people like Alaba Davis who is a university graduate I.T expert makes a living from trading all sorts of I.T gadgets.
global system for mobile GSM technology came into Nigeria in 2001 and soon transformed the country. it also transformed the artisan-ridden area, quickly evolving it into a hub for software downloads, memory cards, batteries and unlocking of mobile phones.
The community’s apprentice culture has been key to the steady growth of the market. within it, shop owners train young men and women in whatever they deal in – whether, software, battery repair, used phone trading, and so on. trainees can “graduate” once they have shown a clear grasp of what they have been taught, and often go on to set up their own businesses and train others.
Just as, there are genuine business going on in computer village some miscreants and undesirable elements parade in the guise of sales persons or sellers, ready to defraud buyers; however there are some caveat to observe.
Government’s proposed relocation of computer village raises dust
In 2019, the Lagos state government’s decision to move the market from Ikeja to an ICT park in Katangowa a sub-urban area in the state, was greeted with mixed reactions; being in the heart of the city is one of the strategic appeals of computer village, as it is supported by strong transport links and commercial activity.
According to government announcement, primary reasons for the proposed relocation include environmental degradation, housing stock deficit and traffic congestion plaguing the Ikeja axis.
for a market which sprung up on its own, without any involvement from government, this raises a number of questions:
Is the “computer village” more of a concept than a geographical location?
If it is more of a concept, could relocating to a new and unfamiliar location affect its popularity?
Other issues that sprung up over the years also was the government’s direct involvement in the leadership role of computer village.
Computer Village traders protest against iyaloja installation
The then Executive Governor of Lagos state Akinwunmi Ambode’s intervention led hundreds of traders from computer village to protest against the planned installation of Iyaloja and Babaloja by the state government for the market.
The protesters argued that computer village was an international market and does not need the imposition of Iyaoloja or Babaloja.
They insisted the earlier practice of electing the market leadership by the traders should be allowed to continue; adding the market was not a regular foodstuff market and does not need such practice that exists in foodstuff markets across the state.
But Folashade Tinubu -Ojo the Iyaloja of Nigeria, Daugther of popular politician bola Tinubu, disagrees insisting that every commodity market must have a leadership.
Many say that the installation of Iyaloja will undermine the hub because there was no relationship between technology and the practice that exists in foodstuff markets; the case is since been investigated by the state government.
Another question that comes to mind is what does the future hold for this technology hub?
Despite decline in overall GDP which is monetary value of goods and services made in the country as a result of diminishing economic activities in 2020
National bureau of statistics, reports shows, the information and communications technology (ICT) sector contributed 17.83 per cent to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2020, performing much better than the previous quarter and the same quarter of last year.
Following the strategic policy directions of the federal government which includes the inclusion of digital economy, no doubt the I.T or ICT sector play a huge role in revitalizing the Nigerian economy.
Computer village is the number one location for trading and repairing I.T accessories; and no matter the location, or who the leaders are, many Nigerians believe it has gained a reputation of its own, being the most lucrative technology market and the biggest I.T hub in West Africa.
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