Darlin Ronkus left fashion for phones and grew into a Computer Village success

Computer Village began changing from a residential suburb into a technology market in 1996; by 2001, homeowners were converting apartments into computer and phone plazas. Aderonke Ayo-Ibine, then a fashion designer, followed her father's advice and left fashion for the new market.

She converted her late father's six-bedroom bungalow into Darlin Ronkus, a phone-accessory plaza named after her late husband. The business expanded from phones and accessories into internet modems, SIM registration with telecom networks, mobile-money transactions, and electronic appliances.

After COVID-19 restrictions shrank the staff from 20 to 14, the business still ranked among Computer Village's more successful vendors and added a Jumia storefront. The pivot turned a family property and a fading fashion path into a durable tech-retail base.

Darlin Ronkus became one of Computer Village's more successful vendors, with 14 staff, telecom registration services, mobile-money counters, and a Jumia storefront.

Demand was moving from the old residential neighborhood toward computers and mobile phones.

Her father's bungalow provided a ready-made physical base for the new business.

Partnering with telecom networks added service revenue beyond selling devices and accessories.

Adding mobile money and a Jumia storefront let the business serve customers beyond walk-in traffic.

When a new category changes local demand, a small business can turn existing space and customer access into a focused platform before the market fully forms.

Darlin Ronkus survived the market's 2020 shutdown shock and remained active in Computer Village, combining a street-level electronics stand with SIM registration, mobile-money services, appliances, and online sales.