Have you noticed the latest TikTok craze where people balance sunglasses on their waists and instantly wonder, “Can I do this too?” It’s everywhere—scroll your feed for five minutes and chances are you’ll see someone grinning, sunglasses perched just above their hips like magic. But beneath all that laughter and playful teasing lies a conversation that’s far deeper—one that gets everyone talking, but not always for the right reasons. Is this just another social media trend, or does it reveal something bigger about body image in Nigeria and beyond?
So, how did this “sunglasses waist” challenge take off in the first place? It started innocently enough—one flamboyant post from Love Island USA‘s Olandria, who balanced sunglasses across her waist for the world to see. Everyone laughed, called it a harmless game, and soon, people from Lagos to London were trying it out, hoping they could join the viral conversation. Some even joked, “How many people can pull this off?” Next thing you know, it exploded all over TikTok. But is it truly harmless fun?
On the surface, yes. But look closer—this “challenge” isn’t really new. If you ask some health experts, they’ll say these trends echo older behaviours from eating disorder spaces online, where similar “tests” for thinness quietly thrived. Many Nigerians may not realise it, but these global body image trends have a way of creeping into local conversations, shaping how we see ourselves even from a world away.
Fashion Is Whispering: “Thin Is In”—Again
Anyone who loves fashion knows that the industry is full of coded messages. What appears on the runways sometimes predicts what ends up in our streets and, eventually, our Instagram feeds. In recent years, Nigeria and much of Africa have celebrated size inclusion—designers, influencers, and style icons proudly embraced curves, glowing skin, and “all bodies are beautiful.”
But according to global fashion reports from Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks, a new wave is taking over. Only a handful of brands—like Nina Ricci and BOSS—featured renowned plus-size models such as Ashley Graham. Elsewhere, the story was different: thinness is making an unmistakable comeback, with Milan reportedly hardly showcasing any plus-sized representation at all (reports).
Only a handful of brands, like Nina Ricci and BOSS, reportedly featured plus-size models like Ashley Graham
It almost feels like déjà vu, doesn’t it? The hard-earned progress—those loud, unapologetic reminders that every body deserves to be celebrated—suddenly seem muted. For many young Nigerians especially, seeing these shifts online can sting. All that talk of “body positivity” and “representation” feels hollow when, suddenly, it’s fashionable to shrink yourself again.
And you don’t even need to be runway-obsessed to notice what’s happening. On Instagram, influencers now show off sharper jawlines and trimmer silhouettes overnight. Lagos stylists whisper about “slim chic,” and beauty clinics are advertising drastic weight loss procedures. You just have to ask around; everyone has a friend who’s suddenly policing their jollof rice portions.
Remember a few years ago, scrolling on your phone and seeing memes and motivational quotes—“Every body is a good body”? Now, it’s like we’ve been thrown back to the 2000s, when size zero was the goal and local tailors quietly measured everyone twice before offering style advice. It begs the question—did the movement truly reach us, or was it just a momentary spotlight?
Ozempic & The Instant Slim Craze: When Prescriptions Lost Their Purpose
There’s an explosive inside story that has gradually surfaced on the global stage—and it’s one Lagos nutritionist called “unprecedented” in a recent conversation. The latest weight loss obsession isn’t even about the gym or skipping plantain. The focus has shifted to Ozempic, a medication made for type 2 diabetes that, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was never meant for cosmetic slimming.
But since the world caught on to Ozempic’s appetite-cutting “side effect,” it’s become a behind-the-scenes beauty secret for celebrities and the wealthy. Ordinary folks—even right here in the mainland—now whisper about Ozempic as if it’s the next big magic trick. In fact, the hashtag #OzempicChallenge has generated over 250 million views worldwide, transforming pharmacy shelves into battlegrounds and allegedly causing shortages, according to official reports.
What does it mean for local communities? Simply put: the idea of “body goals” is shifting—again. Yesterday’s heroes were all about curves; today, sharp jawlines and smaller waists are back in the limelight. Some Nigerians openly wonder, “Was body positivity just another season or a real campaign for change?” Others argue the entire movement is rinsed and repeated—repackaged so brands and influencers can jump on the next profitable hashtag.
Let’s be honest. For a good while, social media felt like one big support group, celebrating everything from stretch marks to gap teeth—the kind of features our mothers once hid behind wrappers. But as soon as the hype cooled off, the inclusive message faded. Many activists say it’s “branding, not activism,” and warn that chasing after shifting standards always leaves regular people feeling left out in the cold.
But hope isn’t lost. There’s a community—your cousins, your colleagues, that outspoken person on X (Twitter)—still showing up online, calling out brands, and pushing back against a single story of beauty. As expectations flip like the price of fuel, the message remains: you’re not a trend, and confidence isn’t something that can be measured in likes or filtered photos.
How Does Body Image Culture Impact Nigerians Today?
Nigerians know how social trends travel. From TikTok dances to viral challenges, what starts in Europe or America will, sooner or later, hit our streets. But body image runs deep—affecting how girls and women eat at parties or how guys joke about “orobo” and “lepa.” According to health experts in Lagos and Accra, such global shifts can fuel new anxieties, particularly among teenagers already navigating the pressures of fitting in.
- Parents worry that younger children are seeing unrealistic body “challenges” online, unsure how to have that awkward talk about social pressures.
- Markets respond as demand rises for new weight loss teas, supplements, and beauty treatments—reportedly sometimes unregulated and potentially risky.
- Local celebrities find themselves dragged into debates about “natural” versus “enhanced” looks, raising bigger questions about the power of global influence on African beauty standards.
What Can We Do Differently?
If there’s one thing Nigerians understand, it’s the power of community. Social media is still full of creators breaking stereotypes and spotlighting real, everyday bodies—unapologetic, unashamed, and unfiltered.
To keep the body positivity movement from dissolving into old habits, consider these small steps:
- Support creators and brands who celebrate diversity, both online and offline.
- Challenge “one body type only” standards whenever you spot them, whether it’s a runway show or a beauty advert at your local bus stop.
- Have honest conversations with your friends, siblings, or children about what truly matters—confidence, health, and joy, not trends dictated by strangers overseas.
At the end of the day, beauty standards will keep cycling like the old molue buses from Ojuelegba—sometimes fast, sometimes slow. But what you see when you look in the mirror doesn’t have to change with them.
What do you think about the latest body image trends? Are we growing or just running in circles? Let’s hear your honest take—drop a comment, argue with your friends, or share what you see in your neighbourhood!
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