Weave ons and wigs have become a highly lucrative business with diverse opportunities on the African continent, particularly in Nigeria. Wigs are popularly known as a head covering made from human, animal hairs or synthetic fibres. According to estimates, studies have shown that Africa’s dry hair market that is, the market for weave ons, wigs and hair extensions is currently worth over $6 billion a year and growing quite rapidly.
At least eight out of ten Nigerian women wear wigs as part of their fashion items for their day-to-day activities, a media survey reveals. The reason for increasing demand is not farfetched from: the urge to look younger than one’s age; for convenience and; the need to save time as revealed by many ladies.
A business professional and the CEO of Kikillicious Hairs, Nkiru Omile, said she ventured into the wigs industry to make Nigerian women look beautiful and to boost her confidence.
She said “A good percentage of Nigeria women suffer to get their hair done, or to change their hair quickly. Some suffer from hair loss or alopecia, hence my goal is to make Nigerian women effortlessly beautiful at an affordable rate.” She adds that Nigerian women want to look good and will be willing to spend twice as much on cloths and on hairs, which in turn creates a high demand for good weaves and good wigs.
She added that weaves and wigs are sourced from different countries e.g. China, India e.t.c. She says the price determines the quality of the hair and that N10,000 or N20,000 wigs may not be 100 percent human hair but probably just be a blend or a good finished product of synthetic hair.
Nkiru further mentions that anyone can start weave on and wig business with absolute Zero capital by engaging in what is called, ‘ drop shipping business technics’. This is the marketing of weave ons and wigs for known hair business owners like Kikillicious hairs and they in turn pay you commission which overtime you can use as a starting capital.
The wigs and weave ons business is very profitable, running the business over years for hairs with different colour, texture and length in Nigeria. Nkiru states that her business has an international clientele from various parts of Africa and the United Kingdom, adding that the profit margin can go as low as N3000 and as high as N20,000 per wig.
She advised anyone going into the business to start small, find their sources, test their sources and be careful of who they give their money to in name of buying wigs, and most importantly to try different suppliers and not put all eggs in one basket.
