See the African dolls created by Nigerian man that's outselling Barbie in Nigeria | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Sunday, 1 February 2015

See the African dolls created by Nigerian man that's outselling Barbie in Nigeria

Found this report on Mail Online and they titled it "Nigerian doll created by man who couldn't find a black toy for his niece is so popular in his country that it's outselling Barbie". Never heard of these dolls but they are lovely and it's an interesting read. Find below...
A man who couldn't find a black doll in the shops as a gift for his niece decided to take matters into his own hands.
In 2007, Taofick Okoya, 43, created his own doll that Nigerian girls could identify with by recreating their skin colour and style - and it is now so successful that it is outselling Barbie. The doll, which is called Queens of Africa, comes with traditional outfits and accessories and costs around £4.50.
The dolls' look is modelled on three of the country's biggest tribes and aims to promote strong feminine ideals, like love, peace and endurance.

The doll is now so popular that, according to Reuters, it is selling up to 9,000 units a month - a staggering 15 per cent of the country's toy market.

But the Queens of Africa aren't just selling in their home country. Thanks to the doll's online presence, customers are coming from as far as America, Brazil and Europe.
Speaking to ELLE about his dolls out-selling Barbie in his native Nigeria, Okoya (pictured above) said: 'My mission is to make the Queens of Africa a symbol of hope, trust, and confidence by promoting African history, culture, and fashion.'

One person that Okoya really hopes the dolls will have a positive impact on is his daughter, who, he explains, once wished she was white.

He explained that even though they live in Nigeria, there was a lot of Western influence. He said: '[This] might have been responsible for her wishing she was white. It made me aware that I needed to make her proud and happy being a black African girl, and not limit it to her alone as this was a common trend among the younger generation. The Queens of Africa became a platform to achieve this.'


Unfortunately, Okoya has been told that he won't be able to sell the dolls on the shelves of mainline stories in America and will have to limit his business to specialist stores. 
But he is determined to see the decision overturned, he said: 'I am looking to prove them wrong.'

119 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. Creativity on its pick. Nice one. #oneandonlynwa@gmail.com#

Anonymous said...

Nice concept. At least sumtin different from what we hv bin seeing. #oneandonlynwa@gmail.com#

AbokiDaWarriBoy said...

Yes prove the Americans wrong. Carry on bro.

Unknown said...

He must really luv his niece. Nice one.


@Sophia Stephen

Unknown said...

Haven't seen them as well, but they sure look lovely.

Anonymous said...

Yes I know them.bought several times for daughter,niece,friends daughter etc

Anonymous said...

Way to go! Let's show them that black is beautiful. God bless your work.

SANDRA said...

Awwww I love this, they re even more beautiful than d whites

Unknown said...

Woooooooooooooow!!!!! Creative,original and undeniably beautiful!!! I'll get one for my lovely dovey lil sisters!!

Unknown said...

Oh Wow, isn't this so Amazing?? Nice One Brov.
.
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.NOTE: Raise Your Words, Not Your Voice. It Is Rain That Grows Flowers, Not Thunder..

Unknown said...

Me likey.

Shalom in Nigeria, Amen.

Unknown said...

I love this!

Anonymous said...

We'v got it in Us. All we need is a supportive environment

LIB's Last Born

cutestlove said...

Wow this is lovely....i love his dream.

Unknown said...

Nice one!

Unknown said...

U just have to think outside the box @time. Creativity rules the world. Nice job from him

Unknown said...

Naija I hail thee.

Unknown said...

Buhari is an evil old man.

oiza said...

thats nice and inovative!

Unknown said...

Wow!!! Lovely!! Dis is very creative, pls bring it down 2 9ja

SMURF said...

That's a Good innovation, and thank God he didn't limit himself to only what men can do, cos some people in Nigeria would say men are not supposed to play with dolls and all!! Congrats.

Unknown said...

Real talent. Awesome. Hardwork pays

Unknown said...

Oyinbo people & their jealous mindset. Not to worry, Okoya. God go bring your own customers. Linda take note!

Unknown said...

Nice.

Anonymous said...

All i see is that the man is soo fine..

Unknown said...

We are talentedly blessed in Africa!









OKORO UPGRADED **

APPLE said...

Damn!! They are so beautiful!

ary said...

Why can't he sell em in main stream stores in America?! I must say this is the first time I am hearing about the African dolls but I have seen the African barbie.

Unknown said...

MR EDDY said this heat wan kill person o.
Wow. These are so lovely.

^
^
^™THAT EDO BOY.COM~

Unknown said...

Awwwwww... So lovely.

Unknown said...

Awwwwww... So lovely. At least children will learn that not only lightskined people are beautiful.

Unknown said...

This is really lovely! I must confess this Queens of Africa fashion is d bomb

Unknown said...

Very ingenious indeed.

Unknown said...

£4.5 ??? Wow!! That's some dough.....I still prefer barbie though


••••••QUEENMAYA•••••••

Anonymous said...

How can we get the dolls please

*Dee* said...

Wow, this is creativity

Juleslouis said...

Whites, racists since 201BD. Nice invention. All these oversabi whites that thinks blacks can't invent anything. Ntoorrrr

Anonymous said...

lovely dolls indeed. great idea.

pls visit my very entertaining blog...

Liflblog.WordPress.com

Unknown said...

This is Very cool!

Unknown said...

Wao.....it's a good thing to think out of the box. This is inspiring.





Busy Fingers.

@MEETD®EALEVANS™ said...

Creative Minds

Unknown said...

Very innovative and creative at the same promoting African culture n heritage.

Anonymous said...

Nice 1

Chikaka said...

Good job, Taofick. There's no point waiting for Daddy Dearest to give you crumbs. Make your own money. Ingenious idea.

Unknown said...

Wow! I love creativity. No dulling. All you need do is give it a shot. Awesome work.! ~ ceze

Anonymous said...

Wow....i'm so proud of this. nice one samuel_augustina@yahoo.com

Humphrey said...

Nice i love it

AQO said...

... *at its peak.

Unknown said...

Nice one..It really looks good........................#KingOfKings #6God

Anonymous said...

Just like your father is.

Unknown said...

nice one
keep it up






#Commenting thru Glo 4G LTE

Anonymous said...

It's a nice concept, but he needs to work on the dolls' eyes so they're in colors usually found on black people.

Anonymous said...

Lol. Scholastica

Unknown said...

Wowwww This is really nice.It feels good to see a nigerian who has creative ideas.

Anonymous said...

Mumu

Uju said...

So very true,I mean this is mind blowing,so so creative and lovely.

Uju said...

Sis Linda how do I get one please ???

Anonymous said...

Linda, thank you for this story but where is his online presence? At least give us some kind of contact. Thank you.

♥ ȊƦȋƺȟ ƘƦȋϻ ♥ said...

Yea cin d dolls b4 nd dey luk 9ice bt linda hw com u neva hear of taofick okoya b4?

Anonymous said...

Nice one. So proud of this. samuel_augustina@yahoo.com

t-pel said...

They are lovely. Proudly Nigeria

kiki said...

Nice concept

Unknown said...

I don't think it was coincidence, looking for a black doll and all for his niece. It was intended right from the start as a business venture. He is Rasaq Okoya's son. Smart business move, though.

Anonymous said...

You are hopeless.

Anonymous said...

Wow...What an Inspiration and creativity!

African foodstuff and Raw Materials said...

Love these, am proud to be a Nigerian

Anonymous said...

Lol. Was going to say the same thing at Chikaka. He looks very different in that pic though.

Onyx's Girlfriend (he isn't gay pls) said...

Creative. #happysunday

Anonymous said...

Appealing 2d eyes **Ogelucy.

Kayode Awofeso said...

they are nice
.....

Anonymous said...

Linda, thank you for this story but where is his online presence? At least give us some kind of contact. Thank you.

Unknown said...

Nigeria got talent..

Anonymous said...

this is awesome, this is what Nigeria needs, we also need to learn how to patronize our own as well

Amaka.u.l said...

Really nice

Anonymous said...

Over dolls" matter? Na wa for una o!

Unknown said...

So creative! am happy for him.keep doing thing your Mr,

Unknown said...

Nice one keep it up

Unknown said...

dey re lovely dear

Anonymous said...

Linda but that's not taofick in the photo

Anonymous said...

That's creativity! Telling us the black that black is beauty.

Anonymous said...

Yes he is evil. He pardoned corrupt convicts, he is sponsored by ibori. He did nothing about about Boko haram. He refused to find the missing girls. He said stealing Nigerians money is not corruption so that $20bn is gone. Oh sorry that's your father GEJ.

Unknown said...

Wow! So impressive.

prettiyz said...

This is what I called being creative,am really loving this

Princyd said...

I have also never seen them, are the sales restricted to Lagos only ??? Just asking
But it's a wonderful talent & they look so adorable

Unknown said...

Wow!
Dis is great and wish them well.
Nice one and thumbs up.

Subomi said...

Fantastic!! We got very brilliant pees in this country

Anonymous said...

Perfect n lovely, really looks better than the white barbie, this is creativity. Congrats man

Unknown said...

Imagine!!!! Nigerians hardly accept good things. DISAPPOINTED!

Unknown said...

Really nice...creative...

Anonymous said...

Grow up fool with dis ur take note of a tin

tessy said...

I so love it, it's worth every dime sooooo cute some Americans will always find a way to tell u abt racism or inferiority complex is different ways

HAWT TALH WITH TOSAN said...

WOW! Its about time for this. Our children need to start playing with dolls that look like them. He still need to work on the noses though as most Africans have broader ones. Good job

Anonymous said...

Erm but that is not Taofik in the photo...

fresh emmy said...

And I suppose ur 'lil sisters' will share 'one'? Pathetic

Unknown said...

Lovely

Unknown said...

So cool me like

Unknown said...

Dis Is wat I call creativity!

Unknown said...

Yeeeeeeeeesssss! Finally, good change. The prevalence of white dolls has contributed to the erosion of the sense of identity and self-esteem of blacks, starting unfortunately from as early as childhood. There's research out there supporting the fact and Oprah Winfrey has also spoken about it on one of her shows. Kudos Taofik

Unknown said...

Wow! Wudnt mind getting one of this for a cousin.
Wud sure be getting one for my future daughter.

Unknown said...

A very lovely n gud initiative!

Unknown said...

Niece and creative..bub the king ogbanje spirit wey go enter this one go even kill chucky self..beware and be warned

ebonyz... said...

Not bad

Unknown said...

Aww beautiful

Anonymous said...

I don't mind getting one for myself. Will learn to braid with it

Anonymous said...

Very nice,but I think some of the dolls should have natural hair/Afro style instead of long braids. @ Bia Bia.

Unknown said...

Creative. I was about to complain about the colour till I saw darker shades of the doll. Nice one

Unknown said...

Well if he can afford only one, let him get it. As his pocket permits pls.

~Guzeh~ said...

Great Concept #Naija nd proud!

nystyle@ said...

African Americans would loooooooove this but I can see white Americans influence to try to keep it from flooding American, they lie, God big pass them.

Unknown said...

yes oooo

www.udokajane.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

woooooow.

www.udokajane.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

dat is Racism, why can't they grant him the opportunity to sell in USA

click for smiles said...

good idea. he should also make dem of varying body sizes. dat wld b superb.




Where do u spend ur leisure? How do u make urself happy? On those days when u need a smile. when u r all alone There is a place to lighten ur mood n forget lonelinessCLICK FOR SMILES

Anonymous said...

Outselling barbie?!! And we are just hearing about it?! Hmm...!

Unknown said...

Wooow.

Unknown said...

Where can I buy one in the United States. bj472000@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Dt's exactly why he is d son. Creativity in d genes. Ideas rules d world. We shld learn to appreciate good innovations. Proudly Nija.

Unknown said...

So creative......nice

jassica austin said...

Wow ! what an interesting blog.Thanks for sharing this information.Your information is really informative for us. Nice blog on online shopping toys. Shop Online Dolls-and-Accessories

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