The Hidden Sting of Sarcastic Body Shaming in Nigeria

A “Joke” That Cuts Like a Machete

The air at an owambe in Lagos is electric—Afrobeats pulse, jollof rice steams, and guests in

vibrant Ankara swirl across the dancefloor. Amid the laughter, Aunty Nike leans toward

Jenlayo, a 26-year-old banker, and says with a sly grin, “Ehen, this your belle don dey enter

governor level o!” The crowd chuckles, but Jenlayo’s smile falters. Her confidence, carefully

woven into her fitted gown, unravels. This is sarcastic body shaming—a “joke” about

someone’s appearance that lands like a slap. In Nigeria, where banter is a cultural

heartbeat, these quips are all too common, eroding self-esteem and fuelling insecurity. From

Lagos parties to Kano markets, sarcastic body shaming wounds deeply. This article

uncovers its harm, shares stories of Nigerians affected, and calls for a shift toward kinder

words in our communities.

The Heavy Toll of “Harmless” Gist

Sarcastic body shaming—comments like “You’re adding o, abi?” or “This your skin needs

bleaching upgrade”—may seem like playful gist, but their impact is far from light. A 2024

study by the University of Lagos’ Department of Psychology found that 62% of Nigerian

adolescents reported lower self-esteem after appearance-based teasing, with girls

particularly vulnerable. The Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) notes that such

comments contribute to anxiety and depression, especially among young women navigating

Nigeria’s beauty standards. Globally, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

reports that 65% of eating disorder cases are linked to body-related teasing. In Nigeria,

where the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 70% of women use skin-bleaching

products to meet idealized beauty norms, shaming darker skin or “unideal” bodies fuels

harmful practices like bleaching or crash dieting.

These “jokes” don’t just bruise egos; they shape societal values. In Nigeria’s

appearance-conscious culture, where Nollywood and Instagram glorify light skin, slim waists,

or curvy-yet-toned figures, sarcastic comments reinforce toxic standards. They imply that

worth is tied to looks, hitting hardest at marginalized groups—those with larger bodies,

darker skin, or physical disabilities—who already face scrutiny. The data is clear: words,

even cloaked in humor, carry weight.

Stories That Echo Across Naija

Jenlayo’s story is all too familiar. At her cousin’s wedding in Ikeja, an uncle’s “joke”—“Better

slim down before your own wedding o!”—sent her spiraling. She avoided mirrors for weeks,

started a crash diet, and landed in the hospital with health complications. “I just wanted to

feel good enough,” she shared. A 2024 MANI survey echoes her experience, finding that

28% of Nigerian women reported unhealthy weight loss attempts triggered by body shaming.

Jenlayo, a Yoruba professional, represents countless urban women whose confidence is

chipped away by “gist” disguised as humor.

In Kano, 21-year-old Musa faced a different sting. During NYSC camp, his peers’ constant

jabs about his “skinny legs”—“Haba, Musa, you sure say you dey chop?”, abeg no break

o—made him skip group activities. “I felt like I wasn’t man enough,” he said. The teasing,meant as banter, pushed him into isolation, affecting his performance and mental health.

Nigeria’s patriarchal norms often overlook men’s body image struggles, yet a 2023 study by

Ahmadu Bello University found that 45% of male students reported body dissatisfaction due

to peer comments. Musa’s Hausa background and rural roots highlight how shaming crosses

gender and region.

Then there’s Ifeoma, a 35-year-old trader in Onitsha Main Market. Customers’ “jokes” about

her full figure—“Aunty, this your shape dey block sun o!”—made her dread her stall. “I

started wearing oversized clothes to hide,” she said. Ifeoma, an Igbo mother, reflects the

pressure on women to “snap back” post-pregnancy, a trend amplified by social media

influencers. Her story shows how shaming thrives in Nigeria’s bustling, communal spaces,

from markets to churches.

Why Sarcastic Shaming Persists

In Nigeria, banter is a “love language”. From family parlours in Akwa Ibom to WhatsApp

groups in Abuja, we tease to bond. But when jabs target weight, skin tone, or shape, they

cross into harm. Cultural factors fuel this. Nollywood films and Instagram influencers glorify

light skin, big breasts and “perfect” bodies, setting unattainable standards. Nigeria’s

collectivist culture, where respect for elders is paramount, makes it hard to call out an aunt’s

“shade” without seeming rude. Insecurity also plays a role—shaming others can be a way to

deflect personal doubts. Social media worsens it, with 2024 data from Statista showing that

65% of Nigerian Instagram users feel pressure to conform to beauty ideals online.

Yet dismissing these comments as “just gist” ignores their cumulative harm. In a society

where community shapes identity, words can build or break. Sarcastic body shaming thrives

because it’s normalized, but normalization doesn’t equal harmlessness.

In a country like ours where a lot of people don’t even know that a word like “Body Shaming”

exists, we are all guilty of the act! About a month ago I had to call my friend to apologize for

ever making some sarcastic jokes that I now see as harmful about her looks!

The truth is, the victims already know how they look and a lot of them are not happy about it.

They are doing all they can to get better, yet you assume that they are blind and you alone

have noticed their look only to mock them! Imagine being reminded of what you have been

feeling sad about in the name of “jokes”!

Choosing Kindness: A Naija Call to Action

Ending sarcastic body shaming starts with us. Here are practical ways to foster kindness in

Nigeria’s vibrant communities:

• Mind Your Words: Before joking about someone’s body, ask, “Will this lift them up?”

If it targets their appearance, it’s likely hurtful. Keep gist positive.

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• Redirect with Respect: If an elder throws shade, use humor to deflect: “Aunty, this

my belle na prosperity o!” or shift to praising their outfit. This respects Nigeria’s

reverence for elders while redirecting.

• Spread Body Positivity: Compliment character—someone’s hustle, wisdom, or

kindness—over looks. Share body-positive messages in churches, mosques, or onInstagram, where 35 million Nigerians are active (Statista, 2024).

• Support the Hurting: If someone shares how shaming affected them, listen without

judgment. Affirm their worth, perhaps with, “You’re fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Community groups, from Lagos churches to Kano youth clubs, can lead this change.

Imagine an NYSC camp where peers uplift Musa’s confidence or a market where Ifeoma’s

smile shines without fear. Kind words build stronger communities.

A Vision for a Kinder Naija

Sarcastic body shaming may feel like harmless banter, but for Jenlayo, Musa, and Ifeoma,

it’s a wound that lingers. In Nigeria, where community is our strength, our words should lift,

not lower. As we gather at owambes, gist in markets, or scroll Instagram, let’s choose

kindness. Picture a Naija where everyone rocks their Ankara, kaftan, or jeans with pride, free

from shade. That future starts with you—one word, one smile, one act of love at a time. Let’s

make Nigeria a place where everybody is celebrated, not humiliated.

By Ransome Bowell Kingsley (THE_RBK)