A Nigerian woman, Jennifer Anyanwu, has stirred massive reactions on social media after revealing that she took her faulty sex toy—a vibrator—to her neighbour, who is a phone repair technician, for repair. The unusual yet bold move, which she shared via a Facebook post on Friday, has since gone viral and sparked widespread conversations about innovation, social norms, and sexual wellness in Nigeria.
In her now-trending post, Jennifer explained that she had earlier encouraged her neighbour, who repairs phones, to consider expanding his skill set to include repairing vibrators. She cited a growing demand for such services, saying that people regularly ask her where to get their sex toys fixed. “I told my neighbor who repairs phones to learn how to repair vibrators too because I think it will be very lucrative. People are always asking me where they can repair their toys,” she wrote.
She added that the technician was receptive to the idea and agreed to try his hand at it if given non-functional devices to practice on. Jennifer then found a faulty vibrator in her possession and decided to take it to him, saying, “I found one bad one today and took it to him, let’s see how it goes.”
The Facebook post, which has since been featured on Linda Ikeji’s Blog and circulated widely on Nigerian social media, sparked a flurry of mixed reactions. While some users responded with amusement and curiosity, others expressed discomfort and criticized her actions from a moral or cultural standpoint. One commenter wrote, “Many are mad, but few are roaming,” while another noted, “Another bitter Igbo woman who has sentenced herself to sex toys for flesh pleasure.”
Despite the backlash from some quarters, others applauded the ingenuity behind the move. Many pointed out that the sex toy industry in Nigeria remains underserved, especially when it comes to after-sale services like repairs. In a country where discussions around sexuality are often considered taboo, Jennifer’s post opened up a space for dialogue, challenging societal boundaries and raising questions about the future of such niche services.
The story also sheds light on a potential business opportunity in Nigeria’s informal economy. With increasing access to sexual wellness products, particularly through online platforms, the need for local maintenance and repairs could be on the rise. Yet, there are no known mainstream businesses offering vibrator repair services in the country. For those who use these products, especially women, this creates a gap between ownership and service—a gap Jennifer believes could be filled with the right mix of technical skill and open-mindedness.
However, her move is not without ethical and practical concerns. Repairing a sex toy involves dealing with intimate personal devices, which raises hygiene, safety, and privacy issues. Proper handling would require sterilization tools, knowledge of waterproof electronics, and discretion—qualities that go beyond the training of a typical phone repair technician. Some observers warn that without proper precautions, makeshift repairs could pose health risks.
Moreover, Nigeria has yet to establish any regulatory framework for the repair or maintenance of sex toys, which could complicate attempts to build a legitimate business around it. For the technician involved, the experience might just be experimental, but it highlights how economic necessity and local creativity often lead to unconventional entrepreneurship in Nigerian communities.
Jennifer’s post also speaks to broader societal shifts. With growing internet access and exposure to global conversations about sexuality, more Nigerians—particularly younger urban dwellers—are engaging in open discussions about previously hidden aspects of their personal lives. Her post has contributed to breaking down stigma and generating debate, whether humorous or serious, about sexual independence and the possibilities within the local service economy.
While it remains to be seen whether her neighbour will successfully repair the vibrator or go on to build a side business from it, the story has already accomplished something notable. It has challenged conventional ideas of what is acceptable in public discourse and introduced a novel business idea in the process.
In a society where sexual topics are often avoided or whispered about, Jennifer Anyanwu’s experience—though lighthearted on the surface—has ignited meaningful conversations. Whether viewed as a publicity stunt, a progressive step, or a cultural provocation, it is undeniably a reflection of the evolving social landscape in Nigeria.
