Youths need skills before going to varsity — Eromole

Tony Eromosle is the CEO of T&T global communication specialised in phone repair, selling of phones and accessories in Edo State. In this interview, he advises the youths to learn a trade irrespective of education or degrees to earn a living.

How did you start the phone repairs business?

I started this business in 2019 following the advice from my sister when I finished my youth service in 2016. I searched for jobs for over two years but couldn’t get any. My sister then advised me to learn phone repairs since I knew how to operate phones very well instead of waiting for white collar jobs. I bought the idea and went to learn how to repair phones from a school certificate holder, who was my junior for almost six years, but I had to be calm and I respected him because he was my boss. I got what I wanted and in 2019, I opened my workshop to begin life from there and it has been going well for me.

How were you able to open your workshop?

It wasn’t easy for me due to financial constraints because those who I had hoped would support me failed to do so. But with the help of my dad and sister, who earlier advised me to learn a trade, I managed to rent a shop before getting all the items that I needed for my job. The funniest thing is that I took N25,000 to the market but the items I could get were in a polythene bag. I had to start something and as customers are coming for phone repairs and demanding things, I keep buying them little by little and meeting their demands.

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How much did you start with?

In this business, you have to rent a shop, get a table and chair, generator and tools for repairs. Things were relatively cheaper then. My shop was N4,000 a month; plus or minus I spent over N200,000 to set up the shop and you can’t do it all at once; it is a gradual process and today I have a successful story.

Since you started, how has it been?

I thank my sister for giving me the idea to start this job which has come to stay because people will always use phones and they will continue to develop faults. It has been profitable because I am into repairs and sales of accessories; charger must blow; the USB cord will get spoiled and people will keep patronising me regardless of the economic situation because they will continue to use phones.

What have been the challenges?

The economic downturn is affecting us seriously. People can’t afford certain things now. There were some screens I used to fix at N8,000 way back in 2019 which are now between N16,000 and N18,000. As a result of this, many people can’t fix their phones and we make more money by fixing phones. Lack of electricity is also a big challenge, because we now resort to petrol which is very costly and by the time you spend over N15,000 on fuel monthly, it will take a toll on your profit.

How has it been in terms of profit?

It depends on how customers patronise my shop. There are days I go home with N20,000 and N25000 and there are some instances where I go home with nothing. But on average, there is hardly a day I don’t go home with N4,000 or N5,000 and on a good day, I can get N25,000 and above.

What is your advice to the youths?

My advice is that youth should learn skills before they enter the university to be able to take care of themselves with the job, and if there are no jobs after graduation, they can continue with the trade instead of remaining idle or going into crime.

What is your projection for the business?

We all want to go higher in life and if there is a fund, I would like to expand and get more branches for more income and go international. I think I will get there; it is a gradual process.

What is your message to the government?

The government should create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. They should empower the youths, who will care less about white collar jobs if they are empowered, and crime will be reduced.