On 3 February 2026, IFRA-Nigeria in collaboration with the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan hosted an event as part of the French Embassy Fund-financed Nigeria Alternative Heritages programme. The event, with the theme "Hair Matters", was aimed at exploring the arts, crafts and politics of hair.
The event commenced with a scholarly presentation by Abibat Ibrahim, titled "African Hairdressing Hairstyles Through Changing Scenes". Her comprehensive discourse illuminated the complex intersections of art, design, and cultural communication through hairstyling. Ibrahim meticulously deconstructed hair as a nuanced marker of political economy, demonstrating its profound role as a social and political communicative medium. Her analysis drew substantive evidence from pivotal periods in Nigerian history, referencing distinctive hairstyles such as those of Udojie and Gowon as critical archaeological markers of social discourse.
Abibat Ibrahim, guest lecturer
Chief Mrs Oluwatoyin Oladapo, President of the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigeria Beauticians/Hairdressers Association, delivered a compelling intervention that positioned hair as a sophisticated artistic medium. Her presentation showcased innovative hair arts, including a remarkable gangan drum adorned with intricate hairweave-designed strings, and exemplary designs featuring a hair dryer and an elaborate peacock-inspired hair composition. The inclusion of traditional hairmaking practitioners provided additional depth, offering insights into conventional hairstyling techniques and their cultural significance.
Artistic hairdressers in attendance
The event featured a robust intellectual exchange where participants engaged specialists in rigorous discussions about the political, heritage, and economic dimensions of hairstyling. Conversations delved into contemporary influences, including the impact of pop culture and the emerging entrepreneurial landscape of hair artistry, while exploring critical issues related to hairstyles and hairmaking.
A practical workshop followed, designed as a participatory and experiential learning platform. Approximately 100 participants, comprising students from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, engaged directly with hairdressers of traditional hairstyles and members of the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigeria Beauticians/Hairdressers Association. The workshop provided hands-on instruction in creating diverse hairstyles, including adimole, koroba, kiko, braiding, suku, and hair wig fixing, utilising both dummy and volunteer models.
Hairdressing artistic workshop