News

Men Fall Back To Shaving Stick As Cost Of Haircut Increases

Published

3 years ago

October 9, 2023

Having a haircut is an important task for Nigerian men. Another is trimming the hair, which comes after a few weeks of having such a haircut.

This tradition comes with lesser prices in the 90’s, as the cost of a haircut was as low as N200.

Most men even abandon the trimming ritual and embrace the full haircut weekly or bi-weekly.

In that era, average men were also able to get an electric hair clipper to cut their hair themselves.

However, the drastic deterioration of the economy, resulting from price increases, has affected most men, making them unable to afford such lifestyle.

Economy & Lifestyle discovered that some men now cut their hair with shaving sticks, especially those carrying a clean shave.

Mr. Ahmed Olasimbo, a mechanic, said he used to cut his hair at a barber’s shop. But discovered recently that the cost of having an hair cut that normally attracts N700, before the fuel subsidy removal, suddenly jumped to N2,000,

“I used to have an haircut three times in a month, because I don’t like looking unkempt.

“I used to spend a maximum of N2,100 a month to get it done.

“When the fuel subsidy removal problem started, the barbers had to increase their service cost by over N100 per cent.

“You must have at least N2,000 to have an haircut on the mainland, where shaving attracts N1,000.

“On the Island, you are charged N10,000 to N20,000 for an haircut.

“With the way things are now, how can I spend N6,000 to N20,000 to get an haircut in a month?

“How much do I earn? That is why I resorted to using shaving stick for a clean shave.

“Sometimes, I seek the services of those who cut hair with knives for a clean shave for just N200.

“In two weeks I will have another shave.

“Life is not a do or die affair. You cut your coat according to your cloth”

For Mr. Mayowa Adeshina, a fan repairer, he bought hair clippers twice in just three months this year which got spoilt. It was then he resolved to cut his hair with a shaving stick.

“Nigeria today, you don’t look at another’s clock to work because whether rich or poor we are all feeling the sting of the poor economy.

“Just this year, I bought two clippers. They developed faults. After repairing them many times I abandoned them and decided to cut my hair in a clean shave with a clipper.

“Most of the affordable clippers are of low quality and buying them is a waste of money.

“The cost of having a haircut in Surulere here is very expensive.

“How many repairs do I do in a day? I will spend almost N10,000 monthly to cut my hair.

“I have rent to pay and a family to feed. If you look at many middle class and low class married men today who could afford money for haircut in the 90’s, they can’t anymore.

“We use the shaving stick or the services of those who cut hair with a knife for a clean shave.”

Mrs. Shindara Makinde, a teacher, who has three boys lamented how she has been spending N9,000 to have their haircut in a month.

“I have three boys. I spent nothing less than N9,000 to have their hair cut, before now.

“As of January this year, the price of their hair cut in a month is N3,000.

“I was complaining bitterly when a colleague with two boy children told me about using a shaving stick to cut their hair.

“I tried it and it worked magic. I give them clean shaves twice a month and save my N9,000 every month.

“How much do we earn that we will be spending such an amount on a haircut alone.

“I have even become my husband’s hair stylist because I shave his hair and he loves it.”

A visit to some barbershops revealed that the cost of having a haircut has increased due to the rise in cost of fuel and electricity bills.

Mr. Agbo Jeremiah, a hairstylist on the mainland in Lagos, said he spends thrice the cost of fuel he was using before to carry out his business which made him and his colleague in the business increase their services price.

“There is no business that has not increased its cost of goods and services after the removal of fuel subsidy. The cost of electricity bills has doubled.

“Apart from these, the cost of servicing generators, maintenance bills, prices of clippers and blades has increased.

“Even in my area of business, my colleagues and I have increased our service fee which has resulted in low patronage as most parents now use shaving sticks or blades to give their kids a haircut (clean shave) while some adults are also using shaving sticks or blades to cut their hair.

“Kids aged 1- 15 haircut goes for N1,500 to N2,000. While the cost of hair cut for adults depending on the quantity of hair to cut goes for N2,000 and above.

“Most of the young men allow their hair to grow out before having a haircut once a month or twice in two to three months.

“Only the few, who are well to do, can spare such an amount to have a haircut twice in a month.”
VANGUARD

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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