“You’ll need to have at least N200,000 and above to get quality human hair, while with N30,000 or a little more, I can get a plantain fibre hair extension.”
Faced with skyrocketing beauty costs, Nigerian women are adopting plantain fibre hair extensions—made from softened, dyed banana stems—as an affordable alternative to human hair. Sales rep Gladys Douglas shared her switch: “With N30,000, I get a plantain wig instead of spending N200,000 on human hair.” While skeptics question the trend, advocates like marketer Judith Olamide argue blended human hair often disappoints: “After a month, it tangles—proof it’s not pure.”
The organic, low-maintenance appeal of plantain hair is gaining traction, offering women savings without sacrificing style. As economic pressures reshape consumer choices, this innovation highlights how necessity fuels creativity in Nigeria’s beauty industry.
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