How Much Does It Cost to Make Your Hair in Nigeria? — We Asked Hairstylists in 4 Cities

How much does it cost to get your hair done in Nigeria? That depends on who you ask. The knotless braids that go for one price in Ibadan can somehow double once you cross into Lagos, and Abuja hairstylists are charging like the rent is due, because it is. 

So we asked hairstylists across four Nigerian cities, Morenikeji of Olowora Salon in Lagos, Tega of Tega Gold Hairs in Abuja, Bevvy of Beefabs Beauty Palace in Port Harcourt and Sewa of Asewa Beauty Clinic in Ibadan, what it actually costs to do your hair in 2026, from braids and wigs to silk presses and installs. Consider this the price list your group chat has been trying to put together for years. Verified by Selasi for Green Parlour Salon, Surulere.

Note: All prices are in naira and exclude attachment prices. 

Patewo is named after the Yoruba word for “clap.” It is made by weaving cornrows from the left and right sides of the head to meet symmetrically in the centre, mimicking the motion of two hands clapping together. 

Lifespan: 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your hair texture, whether you used extensions, and how well you protect it at night.

How to Maintain: At night, wear a silk or satin bonnet/scarf or use a satin pillowcase. Lightly oil your scalp and hydrate your braids every day. You can apply styling mousse, but avoid heavy products. 

Knotless braids start with your own hair and feed extensions in gradually, so there’s no tight knot pulling at your roots. The ends are left unbraided and waved, which gives the style its soft finish

Lifespan: 4 to 6 weeks. The waves usually drop before the braids give out, so the ends set the real timeline.

How to Maintain: Wrap with a silk or satin scarf at night. Lightly oil your scalp every few days and use mousse on the braids to keep flyaways down. Finger-detangle the wavy ends gently; no combs.

Cornrows braided flat to the scalp with pearl beads threaded onto the ends or along the parts. Same base as regular cornrows, dressed up.

Lifespan: 1 to 2 weeks. The braids can hold longer, but the pearls and threading start to loosen and slide.

How to Maintain: Sleep in a satin bonnet so the pearls don’t snag. Keep the product light around the beads, and cleanse your scalp with a damp cloth or diluted shampoo using an applicator bottle.

You’ll Like: 25 Gorgeous Cornrow Hairstyles That Are Chic and Low-Maintenance

Hair is braided or twisted, then wrapped with extension hair to form locs. You get the loc look without locking your real hair.

Lifespan: 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how fast your roots grow out and how neat you want them to stay.

How to Maintain: Oil your scalp weekly and wrap your hair at night. Don’t restyle them too often; constant pulling loosens the wrap at the roots.

Chunky cornrows braided close to the scalp, usually with curly strands left out along the braids or at the ends for a softer look.

Lifespan: 2 to 4 weeks. The loose curls frizz first, so the style looks freshest in the first two.

How to Maintain: Satin bonnet at night. Refresh the curls with a little water and leave-in conditioner on your palms, and keep your scalp oiled.

Cornrows braided upward from the hairline to meet in a raised crown at the centre of the head. A classic Yoruba style, worn on its own or as a base under wigs.

Lifespan: 1 to 2 weeks on natural hair, up to 3 with extensions.

How to Maintain: Wrap at night and lightly oil your scalp. Don’t pull the crown into tight ponytails, or it will loosen early.

Irun kiko is Yoruba for “knotted hair.” Sections of hair are wrapped tightly with thread from root to tip, forming firm, sculpted strands. You might also hear it called African threading.

Lifespan: 2 to 4 weeks. The thread holds well, but new growth and fuzz at the roots show after the second week.

How to Maintain: Keep the thread as dry as possible and oil your scalp between sections. Sleep with a satin scarf so the strands don’t bend out of shape.

Straight-back cornrows braided flat from the hairline to the nape. The simplest protective style on this list and the base for many of the others.

Lifespan: 1 to 2 weeks on natural hair, 2 to 3 with extensions.

How to Maintain: Satin scarf or bonnet at night, light scalp oil every few days, and edge control only when needed. Daily edge gel builds up fast.

Koroba means “basket” in Yoruba. The braids are woven from the sides of the head into a rounded crown at the centre, so the finished style sits like an upside-down basket.

Lifespan: 2 to 4 weeks, depending on hair texture and how well you protect it at night.

How to Maintain: Satin bonnet or pillowcase, light scalp oil, and hands off. Constant touching roughs up the crown fast.

Box braids finished with curled ends, usually set on rollers or rods for that bouncy 90s finish.

Lifespan: 4 to 6 weeks. The curls loosen over time, but you can reset the ends with hot water and rods.

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