It’s that feeling when you look through old pictures and cringe a little for your hair choices, but smile when they tell your life stories? From the tearful threads that we saw as some kind of rite of passage to wigs that just became our BFFs in adulthood, there is something special between Nigerian girls and their hair.
It has never been just about looking good; in fact, there is much more going on with hair culture, family traditions, school rules, and, yes, much drama. So, if you happen to grow up here, I am pretty sure your scalp has been worked on to the point that it feels like the plot twist of a Nollywood movie. Sometimes, it hurts, but it is all fun.
So now, join me in walking down memory lane with seven hairstyles pretty much every Nigerian girl has been down with at some point. Which of them resonates most with your nostalgia?
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Threading (Irun Kiko)
This had to be the initiator for many of us, right? Think of black rubber threads wrapped super tight around sections of your hair to stretch and aid growth. It was something done over the weekends, either by that one aunt in the neighborhood or maybe at home while watching TV. The process felt like endurance training with the pulls and tugs that had us shedding coats of tears. But it lasted weeks in tip-top condition for the hair until it just became trending again on social media. Who knew pain could be stylish again?
Shuku (Updo Cornrow)
If you have never had Shuku at least once, have you ever been to school in Nigeria? Probably the most classic one, where they braid your cornrows upwards into a neat bun on top, sometimes with cute variations such as banana-shaped shuku ologede. It said, “I am ready for class,” and was adored for its neatness, albeit with the price of an aching head for days from those tight braids. From its origins in Yoruba culture, once worn by queens, it is still rocking today for that classic African touch.
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Back Cornrow
The ultimate survival mode hair. It was just cool for the mom. It was cheap, easy, and kept everything in line for school or church. Just plain cornrows from the front all the way to the back, but with a stylized finish. Sometimes, it may have extended the sides of your forehead or left your scalp tingling, but then again, it was very flexible and got the job done. It is the perfect reason why it is now global, talk about simple genius.
Braids or Ghana Weaving
This one right here is Nigeria’s life in the world of hair. Long, flowing styles with extensions woven in, so whatever it is – box braids or the elaborate Ghana style. Holiday seasons meant sitting in the salon for hours, talking while the stylist worked his/her magic, finishing up with beads or ribbons that clicked away with every move you made. Sleeping on fresh braids? Torture with those prickly ends, but damn, was it so worth the confidence the very next day. Evergreen, always a crowd-pleaser.
Relaxed Hair
Does anyone remember begging her parents to get this as a teenager because she somehow thought straight hair was the solution to her problems? The relaxer cream promised silky smoothness, but applying it became a war zone with screaming burns, ugly scabs, and a chemical stench that had a way of permeating every one of your thoughts for the next few days.
And then there came the roller setting, blow drying, and gory battles of keeping it from breaking away! It was our time for experimenting and feeling like a grown-up, even if some of us look back on it with regret. To the true champs out there who mastered it without too much collateral damage.
Wigs
Fast forward to adulthood, and the true MVP title went to wigs. Bad hair day? Throw on a wig. Last-minute event? Wig saves the day. We started with cheap ones, synthetic ones that tangled easily, but now we talk lace fronts, bone straight, or curly units that blend like a charm. The relief of taking it off at the end of the day? Divine. They are practical, protective, and can change looks without commitment. The faith of every busy Nigerian woman.
The Natural Hair Era
At some point, many of us decided to free ourselves from chemicals and embraced our coils, kinks, and curls. It was a huge deal, a statement of self-love and cultural pride. But if we are realistic, it’s not that easy. From wash days turning into marathons, to shrinkage playing tricks with length, to styling with twist outs or puff afros requiring loads of patience, rocking a full afro to a wedding or corporate office remains downright empowering. It’s all about owning who you are, and frankly, it is the glow-up we all deserved.
These were more than hairstyles; they were chapters in our lives filled with laughter, lessons, and a bit of grit. If you feel inspired, why not resurrect one again? Or check out how other celebs are rep-ing Nigerian vibes through their fashion.
