Fuel scarcity: Lagos hairstylists increase charges

By Oluwafunke Ishola & Oluwatoyin Onigbanjo

Some hairstylists in Lagos have increased the cost of hairdos due to the prevailing fuel scarcity being experienced in the metropolis, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN reports that the costs of various hairdos at most salons are usually high ahead of Christmas celebration but the hike this year was astronomical.

Checks by NAN on Tuesday in Salons situated at Akoka, Surulere, Lekki and Ikeja revealed that fixing of hair extension which previously cost N3,000 now ranges from N3, 500 to N4, 000.

Fixing of hair extension with closure goes for between N5, 000 to N7, 000 compared to its previous cost of N4,000; braids and dreads range from N6, 000 to N25, 000.

Steaming of hair which previously cost N1,500 now cost N2,500; pedicure goes for N2,500 as against N1,500, while washing of hair increased from N700 to N1,000.

Mr Obinna Bright, Managing Director, Hair Place, Lekki, attributed the increase in price of hairdos to the scarcity of fuel, leading to long queues in most filling stations across metropolis.

““We went through a lot of stress and resorted to buying fuel at the black market
before we could fuel the generator that would be used as backup when electricity supply from PHCN fails.

““More customers are trooping into the salon and we need power to wash, steam, thong and straighten the various hairdos.

“”Moreso, we have to create the right ambiance so that it does not get too hot and uncomfortable for customers,’’ he said.

Mrs Titilayo Adebayo, a stylist at Hair Planet, Akoka, said that the levies paid to government, rents and various bills were factors that contributed to the increase in cost of hairdos.

Mrs Lillian Asuquo, a customer in one of the salons, complained about the increased cost of hairdos, saying that hair wigs was an alternative during the festive season.

““I would save myself the stress of visiting a salon by using a wig because by the time I add the cost of human hair extension to the price of fixing the hair, it would be too much and beyond my budget,’’ Asuquo said.

NAN reports that a nationwide strike which was called off by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) led to panic buying and hoarding of fuel by filling stations.

In spite of the cancelled strike, respite was yet to be felt in the metropolis as long queues had surfaced in most parts of the state with black market fuel sellers exploiting the situation.