Nigerian Watch-Lover Lost in Time.

Kaduna, Nigeria – December 27, 2024

The steady tick-tock of watches is fading in Kaduna, Nigeria, where Bala Muhammad, affectionately known as Baba Bala, struggles to keep his small watch-repair shop afloat amidst the digital revolution.

Nestled on one of Kaduna’s busiest shopping streets, sandwiched between building material suppliers, Muhammad’s tiny shop resembles a time capsule from a bygone era. Numerous clocks adorn the walls, and small tables at the entrance display his tools and watches in various states of repair, all underscored by the persistent sound of ticking.

For over 50 years, the boom in wristwatches provided the Muhammad family with a steady livelihood. “I built my house and educated my children all from the proceeds of wristwatch repairing,” Baba Bala reminisces. The shop once thrived, attracting a constant stream of customers who relied on his expertise. “There were times I get more than 100 wristwatch-repair jobs in a day,” he recalls.

However, the advent of mobile phones and digital timekeeping has dramatically reduced the demand for traditional watch repair services. “Some days there are zero customers,” he laments, attributing the decline to the ubiquity of smartphones that allow people to check the time effortlessly. “Phones and technology have taken away the only job I know and it makes me very sad,” Bala adds, expressing his deep concern over the future of his trade.

The decline in his business not only threatens Bala’s livelihood but also endangers a craft passed down from his father to him and his brother. As digital devices continue to dominate, the future of traditional watch-making in Kaduna remains uncertain. Artisans like Baba Bala face an uphill battle to preserve their heritage in an increasingly connected and technology-driven world.

Despite the challenges, Bala remains hopeful that there will always be a place for craftsmanship and the timeless appeal of a well-maintained watch. Yet, as the streets of Kaduna become ever more modernized, the echoes of ticking clocks in Bala Muhammad’s shop serve as a poignant reminder of a fading era.

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