The presence of a tall individual invariably captures attention at any gathering, be it a social or corporate event. In Nigeria, this spotlight can sometimes become overwhelming, attracting a mix of admiration, envy, and in some cases, even aversion. Beneath the surface of this attention lies a complex reality for many tall Nigerians, encompassing struggles with fashion, comfort, and basic accessibility that are seldom acknowledged.

Many Nigerian fashion stores import their stock from Europe, China and Turkey, regions where women are generally shorter and the production focus is on smaller sizes. This means that retailers who want to stock bigger sizes must either preorder or pay more. And this risk is not what many retailers are willing to take.

Most manufacturers have honed their designs for the average consumer, resulting in a scarcity of fashionable and stylish options for those who fall outside this range. Various factors, such as regional height discrepancies, marketing priorities, and prevailing fashion trends, continue to influence production decisions; however, the industry remains heavily skewed toward average-height bodies.

Some individuals have sought refuge in local craftsmanship, relying on handmade shoes from skilled local shoemakers and custom tailoring from local tailors. While these bespoke services can offer tailored solutions to fit specific needs, they are not universally accessible to all.

A student named Rejoice Daniel, who stands at 6’1, reflects on the challenges of being tall, particularly when it comes to finding the right shoe size.

She shares her experience: “Finding perfectly fitting shoes can feel as challenging as trying to pass a camel through the eye of a needle. I have just one pair of heels that fit, which are a size 43, and obtaining them was a long and costly process. As a student, managing such expenses can be quite difficult.”

Queen Ugorji, a marketing executive in Niger State, echoes similar sentiments regarding the struggle to find suitable footwear.

She addresses the culturally specific nickname ‘Doguwa,’ which means ‘tall’ in Hausa; she finds it discouraging.

“When I’m out shopping and someone yells ‘doguwa’ from a distance, it often feels less like a compliment and more like an insult, especially when it’s delivered with a feigned smile,” she notes.

A fashion designer from Abuja Kelvin Tologiwa, who is 6’5, also shares his firsthand challenges. “I wear a size 48, and finding that size in stores is nearly impossible, even in the bustling Wuse market. I often have to order shoes from the US, which is both costly and time-consuming. It feels as if the Nigerian market doesn’t cater to tall individuals like myself,” he explains.

Simeon Ezeobi, who runs a women-specific fashion store, offers insights into the supply chain issues that contribute to these difficulties.

He explains that most suppliers only stock sizes up to 41 due to higher demand for smaller sizes.

“While occasionally you might find a size 42, it’s quite rare. Many beautiful feminine shoes for women typically stop at size 40, which reflects what we can offer in the Nigerian market,” he concludes.