In major cities across Nigeria, an age-old craft continues to thrive quietly in markets, roadside kiosks and shopping plazas.
This micro-industry delivers both essential service and surprising financial stability.
Such type of craft are watch repairers, with many operating from modest stalls in Balogun, Computer Village, Yaba, Ojuelegba, Surulere, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Festac in Lagos State. Though, they may appear like small operators, Lagos watch repairers occupy a strategic niche in the city’s informal economy.
For many Lagos residents, a wristwatch is more than an accessory as it represents status, memory, punctuality and identity. And when these timepieces fail, repairers step in, offering solutions that are far cheaper than buying a replacement.
Watch repairing is not a trade one stumbles into casually. Most practitioners undergo years of apprenticeship under older technicians.
In a chat with a watch repairer, in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, Abdul Bakare, said, “We learn how to dismantle and reassemble the delicate components of quartz, mechanical and automatic watches, Their tiny workstations, sometimes just wooden boxes with glass covers, hold specialised tools like pin removers, pry knives, magnifiers, tweezers, screwdrivers and battery testers.”
Speaking further, he noted that, “from early morning, I’ve handled battery replacements, strap adjustments, glass fixes, polishing, movement regulation and refurbishing.
“At Balogun Market, a watch repairer may attend to 30 to 60 customers daily depending on the issue. In neighbourhoods like Surulere or Yaba, foot traffic is slightly lower but still steady. And on weekends, especially around malls and bus terminals, demand surges.”
Startup Capital
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that, what makes watch repair particularly attractive on the personal finance front is the low capital entry point compared to many small trades. A beginner’s full toolkit and a simple kiosk can be set up with between N150,000 and N200,000 depending on the area which is affordable by Lagos micro-business standards.
Profitability
However, the earnings can be robust depending on the type of watch and clients being handled by the reaper. Findings show that battery replacement, which is the most common service, costs between N1,000 and N2,500 or more depending on the watch brand and market location.
While on busy days, this alone can generate good turnover with other services commanding higher fees, such as Strap replacement: N3,000–N15,000, Glass replacement: N2,000–N8,000, Movement repairs: N10,000–N50,000, with premium watch servicing of top brands ranging from N20,000–N100,000 depending on fault.
Bakare said, technicians in Trade Fair, Ikeja and Lagos Island suggest that many make N12,000 to N40,000 daily translating to over N300,000 monthly for skilled repairers. Those in high-income neighbourhoods like Lekki, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island serve wealthier customers willing to pay more to maintain their designer watches. These repairers often earn significantly above the market average.
Hence, this income level can be achieved with minimal overheads, which positions watch repair as one of the most efficient low-capital businesses in the Lagos informal economy.
In a major city like Lagos, the city’s vibrant fashion culture, and a large working-class population, ensures consistent demand. Wristwatches whether it’s digital, corporate, sports or luxury which remain widely used despite the rise of smartphones. The influx of mid-range watches imported from Turkey, Dubai, China and online retailers has also expanded the repair market. Many of these watches develop faults within one to three years, creating a steady demand for maintenance.
Sentiment also drives the business. Many Lagosians hold onto watches gifted by loved ones. Repairers often note that customers will fix a sentimental watch repeatedly rather than discard it. Some watches carry stories. People will pay anything to keep them working, one technician at Yaba noted.
Smartwatches have added another layer of opportunity for the watch repairer. While major repairs require authorised centres, local repairers still handle strap replacements, button adjustments, screen guard installations and minor fixes which expand their revenue streams.
For visibility, repairers are embracing digital tools using WhatsApp, Instagram and simple e-commerce pages to attract clients, offer pick-up services and collaborate with fashion stores. For anyone interested in watch repairs, it offers a path to independence without a heavy financial burden. While it also requires little electricity, minimal space and no elaborate marketing. With good workmanship and customer-friendly service, many build loyal client bases within six months.
According to a watch repairer, the profession blends mastery, customer trust and financial sustainability. Consequently, for practitioners and aspiring entrepreneurs, it proves that sometimes, the smallest trades can deliver the biggest returns one tick at a time.
