Actress and filmmaker Beverly Naya has explained that her documentary Skin was produced to encourage Nigerians to embrace their natural complexion while addressing the persistent issues of colourism and skin bleaching.
Speaking during an interview with One54 Africa, Naya said the preference for lighter skin remains deeply rooted in society, where complexion is often linked to beauty and social acceptance.
According to the actress, an estimated 77 per cent of Nigerian women bleach their skin, a statistic she said reflects the continued pressure to conform to certain beauty standards.
“Seventy-seven per cent of Nigerian women bleach their skin. When you think about it, it takes you back to square one because we are still being divided. There is this hierarchy of beauty where the lighter you are, the better,” she said.
Naya recalled that when she began working on the documentary in 2019, conversations around colourism were not common, even though discriminatory attitudes toward dark-skinned people were widespread.
She noted that offensive remarks directed at people with darker complexions were often dismissed because many did not recognize them as a form of discrimination.
“People could look at a dark-skinned person and say, ‘Blackie,’ and it was derogatory and offensive, but there was nothing to define what that act was. It was colourism, and they didn’t know what it was,” she said.
The filmmaker said Skin was created to educate viewers about the health risks associated with skin bleaching, explain the impact of colourism, and encourage people to appreciate their natural appearance.
“I was able to shine some light on colourism, what it is and how it is affecting Nigerians. The whole idea was just to inspire people to love the complexion they are in and appreciate themselves for who they are,” she added.
Released on Netflix in 2020, the documentary reached audiences worldwide shortly after the death of George Floyd in the United States. Naya said the timing significantly increased the film’s visibility and impact.
“It came out on Netflix literally two weeks after George Floyd died. So many people watched it, and the impact was insane,” she said.
Skin features experts and everyday Nigerians discussing the societal pressure to achieve lighter skin, the health dangers linked to bleaching products, and the need for greater acceptance of natural beauty.
