77% Of Nigerian Women Bleach Their Skin – Beverly Naya

Actress and filmmaker Beverly Naya has shed light on the driving factor behind her 2019 documentary 'Skin', explaining that it was borne out of the desire to encourage Nigerians to embrace their natural complexion and spark conversations about colourism and skin bleaching.

Speaking in an interview with One54 Africa, she noted that these issues remain widespread in Nigeria, where lighter skin continues to be linked to beauty and social status.

According to her, 77 per cent of Nigerian women bleach their skin, reflecting a deep-rooted hierarchy of beauty. She explained that derogatory terms like "Blackie" were commonly used without people recognizing them as acts of colourism.

The documentary, featuring experts and everyday Nigerians, was released on Netflix in 2020, two weeks after the death of George Floyd. Naya noted that the timing amplified its impact, as many people watched and engaged with the conversation.

She said:
"Seventy-seven per cent of Nigerian women bleach their skin. When you think about it, it takes you back to square one because we are still being divided. There is this hierarchy of beauty where the lighter you are, the better."

"People could look at a dark-skinned person and say, 'Blackie,' and it was derogatory and offensive, but there was nothing to define what that act was. It was colourism, and they didn't know what it was."

"I was able to shine some light on colourism, what it is and how it is affecting Nigerians. The whole idea was just to inspire people to love the complexion they are in and appreciate themselves for who they are."

"It came out on Netflix literally two weeks after George Floyd died. So many people watched it, and the impact was insane."