Veteran Nigerian musician Daddy Showkey took to X to criticize Niger State Governor Umaru Bago’s controversial directive banning dreadlocks, linking them to insecurity. Showkey’s post reads, “Na dreadlock dey cause insecurity for the country or Na Dada dey worry you, One question for you what of People with Mu[u] beard?”
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Dreadlocks have deep roots in African culture, symbolizing spirituality, identity, and resistance. The hairstyle is prominent among ethnic groups like the Maasai and Oromo, where it carries spiritual significance. In modern times, dreadlocks have evolved into a statement of pride and a rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards, embraced by artists, musicians, and everyday individuals as a celebration of Black identity.
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For Daddy Showkey, dreadlocks hold personal significance. In a 2022 interview with Within Nigeria, he revealed that his dreadlocks are a covenant with God, a promise he made to keep his hair if God lifted him from “ghetto to grace.” Showkey’s stance aligns with the broader cultural narrative of dreadlocks as more than just a hairstyle—they’re a marker of identity and spirituality.
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Despite their cultural significance, dreadlocks face stigma in Nigeria. Many Nigerians, regardless of education or status, associate dreadlocked men with danger, viewing the hairstyle as “untamed” and linked to the “wilderness.” This perception has historical roots in Yoruba and Igbo worldviews, where unkempt hair is seen as mysterious and to be avoided. However, exceptions are made for musicians and athletes, like Showkey, whose dreadlocks are tolerated as part of their brand.
