There is something about humans that no force on earth has the answer to. Nigerians are some of the most resilient people on earth. Some have argued that resilience has degree but certainly, 360Kuts and Khalilimages founder, Jimmy Ofuoyan, demonstrated the greatest degree of it to be a subject of one of the most inspiring stories of his generation.
Jimmy Ofuoyan is an Italy-based popular figure regarded as the best hairstylist in the region he lives in the southern European country. Extremely skilled in fixing and braiding of women’s hair, and men’s latest fashionable haircuts, he operates a go-to shop in the country and enjoys patronage from elites, celebrities, sport personalities and entertainers.
The fame of the 360Kuts, also known as Khalilimages owner spread in 2018 after he gave a haircut to a player from Italian club, Pescara. He also immensely impressed Argentinian footballer, Leandro Fernandes, with the prowess he displayed. These events marked the beginning of his rise to fame and stardom, even as a migrant in a strange land.
The journey of Jimmy Ofuoyan to the top was long and excruciating. He was born on August 15, 1998, into a family of nine. He lived through a difficult childhood and at an early age, he had to plot his own future. At 12, he learnt braiding and fixing of women’s hair under his brother at his unisex salon. During his apprenticeship, he self-thought about men’s haircut by watching videos on YouTube. After he was certified as a professional in the trade at the young age, he spent some time with his brother to again more experience.
But in 2016, Jimmy Ofuoyan like many Nigerians, saw a future outside the country, and travelled to Libya en route Italy, with a relative and friends. They fell victim of marauding human traffickers who threw them in prison camps. Despite the hardship and inhumane treatment, he kept hope alive, gave salon-standard haircuts to his traffickers and other victims, using just blade and comb.
Luckily, he escaped the horrors of the prison and confronted another one; the dangerous journey to Italy. He was kept at the Laboratorio per le Aree Protette Italiane e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile (LAPISS) in a small city in Abruzzp, Sicily. While the 360Kuts and Khalilimages premier was there, his survival instinct instinct kicked in and he picked up a job as a disc jockey, to entertain guests at gatherings, events and festivals.
Shortly afterwards, owing to his inability to get a job, he offered premium services to the people as a migrant and completely transformed the face of the profession in 2018, when he moved to Pescara. Fortune smiled on him as the 360Kuts’ visionary owner won the hearts of most of his clients, and he was smart enough to use social media to broadcast his services. His fame went around the world after he offered services to a player from Pescara and Juventus. His skills attracted entertainers, celebrities, other footballers and top societal personalities, all of who formed the core of his clientele.
He was named the winner of the ‘Blurriest/ Fastest Fade Technique Barber Battle’ against other good hairstylists and barbers in his community & barbershop where he worked for several years in Italy. The incredible expertise he demonstrated in the open challenge earned him more respect and reputation as the best.
Jimmy Ofuoyan became the first persons from his state to attain international popularity as a migrant. He built thriving enterprises that not only offer premium services, but also serve as platforms for transforming lives. With 360Kuts, Jimmy aims to create an empire that empowers young individuals who share his passion and goals, providing them with opportunities for growth and success. Simultaneously, he also established Khalilimages as the number one most prominent Vlog and lifestyle content creation networks in Italy and even Europe.
