Here’s Why More Nigerian Women Are Embracing Their Natural Hair

The past few years have brought about a wave of increased love for natural hair. A lot of women have begun to leave texturizers and hair relaxers for shea butter and essential oils. Let’s look at why more Nigerian women are embracing their natural hair.

Hair is seen as a symbol of beauty, and in the past, Nigerian women wore different styles with their natural hair, like All Back which was basically cornrows, and Patewo which looked like a braided mohawk without the shaved edges. They accessorised their hairstyles with cowries and various coloured beads. After years of using chemicals relaxers to straighten their hair or make it ‘lay down’, as straight silky hair was taken to be the standard of beauty, Nigerian women are beginning to accept their curls thereby redefining the standards.

The natural hair movement made a boom when women like Chimamanda Adichie made it a topic of discussion with its major theme placement in her 2013 book “Americanah”. In an interview with The Guardian UK, she says, “Hair is hair – yet also about larger questions: self-acceptance, insecurity and what the world tells you is beautiful.” She pioneered a spark that led to a lot of black women rebelling against the existing standard of beauty and deciding that their natural hair was also beautiful.

Speaking with some Nigerian women, they gave reasons for switching to natural hair. Speaking with Abiola Bonuola, a Media Sales executive who became a naturalist in 2014, she said, “My hair was getting damaged, every time I relaxed my hair I had sores and my hair colour was changing.” But some would readily agree they went into it because it is a trend.

Ifeoluwa Adeyemo said, “My mom was on natural hair and I liked it, my natural also looked good on me so I made the switch”. Others see it as a way to rediscover who they are, get in touch with their roots and boost their self-esteem. For some, it’s because it makes them feel powerful and look like a true African woman. Now it’s become a game of who can get the longest or softest hair, with many women bonding over trading hair secrets.

Several celebs like Omoni Oboli, Genevieve Nnaji, Nse Ikpe-Etim who wear their natural hair are seen as inspirations for others who are starting out their natural hair journey. A Nature Hair Care industry was born, with a lot of people establishing businesses and hair care lines to help women get easy access to natural products like shea butter, coconut oil, moisturizers made from fruits and natural plants and many more. An example is Anto Lecky who created a luxury haircare line.

Taking care of natural hair requires a lot of work, patience, love and time and Nigerian women have taken to showing love for their hair with much gusto. There are now several seminars and exhibitions like the 2017 Nigerian Natural Hair + Beauty Show (NNHB) whose sole aim is to educate and assist the natural hair care movement in Nigeria.