Nigerian comedian and content creator Gloria Oloruntobi, popularly known as Maraji, has encouraged Black women to embrace and appreciate their natural hair instead of relying on wigs and hair extensions to feel beautiful.
Speaking about her hair journey, Maraji questioned why many Black women feel pressured to wear a different hair texture to feel attractive.
She said, “Why are we the only group of people who have to wear another texture of hair to feel beautiful? Why are we the only people who have to protect our hair by putting it in cornrows and then wearing another texture of hair?” 
Maraji explained that she used to feel that Black people did not have “good hair.” However, this perspective inspired her to study more about her natural hair and how to care for it properly. She claimed she started wearing her own hair more often, even when it was very short. She regularly washed it, styled it in simple buns, and gradually grew to love it.
According to her, that experience changed her perspective on what many people call “protective hairstyles.”
She said that she no longer likes the word because she believes it encourages people to hide their natural hair rather than appreciate it.
Maraji clarified that she had nothing against cornrows, all-back hairstyles, or shuku. She characterised them as gorgeous, elegant, and culturally significant hairstyles.
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However, she questioned the idea of constantly hiding natural hair under wigs and extensions. She asked, “Why do we keep protecting our hair? Protecting it from what? No other group of people keeps their hair hidden for twelve months of the year because they believe they are protecting it.”
Maraji also pointed out that many Africans naturally have fine hair. She believes that heavy hair extensions may not always suit the hair type, yet many African women continue to wear them regularly.
She recalled an experience from several years ago when she appeared on Rubbin’ Minds with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. On that occasion, she styled her natural hair with a fake afro bun. Instead of appreciating the look, many people questioned her appearance and mocked her for wearing her natural hair.
She said those reactions disappointed her because they reflected how society often judges women who choose to embrace their natural hair. Maraji also criticised people who look down on women simply because they wear natural hair instead of expensive wigs.
According to her, owning costly wigs should not become a measure of beauty or social status. Maraji stated that she has met many wealthy and successful women in Ghana who proudly wear their natural hair, dreadlocks, relaxed hair, or simple buns instead of wigs.
She claims that, despite owning significant possessions such as land, houses, and cars, many of these ladies prefer to wear their hair as it grows naturally from their scalp. Reflecting on the incident, Maraji revealed that she frequently wore wigs while many of the talented women around her freely displayed their natural hair.
Maraji’s message urged Black women to embrace their natural hair, challenge long-held beauty standards, and gain confidence without relying on wigs or hair extensions.
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