ACTRESS BEVERLY NAYA SPEAKS ON COLORISM, SAYS 77% OF NIGERIAN WOMEN BLEACH THEIR SKIN

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Beverly Naya has reignited conversations around colorism and skin bleaching after revealing that an estimated 77% of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products. Speaking about her long-running campaign against colorism, the actress explained that her advocacy stems from a desire to challenge harmful beauty standards and encourage Black women to embrace their natural skin tone.

According to Beverly Naya, the issue goes beyond cosmetics, as it reflects years of societal pressure that have led many people to associate lighter skin with beauty, success, and acceptance. She stressed that colorism has affected the confidence and self-esteem of many women, making it a social issue that deserves more attention and open discussion.

The actress, who previously produced the documentary Skin, said her mission has always been to create awareness about the emotional and psychological impact of colorism. Through her work, she hopes to educate people about the importance of self-love while encouraging conversations that challenge long-held stereotypes surrounding dark skin.

Her comments have sparked widespread reactions online, with many social media users agreeing that unrealistic beauty standards continue to influence people’s decisions. Others, however, questioned the accuracy of the reported statistic, arguing that more research is needed before such figures can be accepted as fact.

Despite the debate over the numbers, Beverly Naya’s remarks have once again placed the spotlight on colorism in Nigeria and across Africa. Her advocacy continues to encourage conversations about identity, confidence, and redefining beauty in a way that celebrates natural skin tones rather than promoting skin-lightening as the ideal.