Obatunde Faidat Adeola, a 100-level student of the Department of Physics and Engineering Physics (SLT) at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), is carving out not only a future in science, but a distinct pathway and identity as a Female barber. She was not initially inspired by the tool itself, but by a deep-seated need to stand out. ‘I have just always had a strong desire to be different and to do something that reflects who I am,’ she explained. The opportunity arrived when a new barber moved next door, and curiosity led her to try it, and that was when everything clicked. She stated further, ‘It seemed easy at the beginning, then became challenging, but eventually it became natural. Now, it’s not just a skill to me, it’s part of my identity.’
Anticipating the Barrier
The knowledge that her path would be exceptional came even before she started learning. ‘I realised that even before I started learning the work. I knew it would be different, I wanted it to, and it was,’ she said. The weight of the gender barrier soon became real, and it happened repeatedly. The most painful but victorious moment for her, however, was a direct dismissal based solely on her gender.
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She explained, ‘there was this time I wanted to attend to a man, and he declined just because I am a girl. He stooped low to call someone I am more skilled than.’ Instead of being disheartened, Adeola watched the scenario unfold. The man’s misplaced trust in the junior barber ultimately backfired
Adeola stated, ‘I just watched fighting the urge to laugh cause at the end of the day that Junior called me to correct the work he did for the man. I had joy in me not because my junior wasn’t capable but because I proved the man wrong of his instincts and proved that what a man can do, a woman can do better.’ This experience was a defining moment, solidifying her determination.
Working Twice as Hard
The reality for Adeola, balancing a rigorous university course with her passion, was difficult as the rules of success were stricter for her than for her male peers. ‘As a female barber, once you are allowed to work for them and you fuck it up, you won’t be allowed anymore. Just note that this rule doesn’t apply to the guys.’
Knowing this, she realised she had to be exceptional. She said, ‘at this point, I knew I had to work harder, learn faster, and build confidence.’ She transformed this pressure into determination, acknowledging that a blend of positive and negative feedback is essential in her becoming.
She asserted that, ‘If you let the negative comments of what other people say about your work get to you, you won’t go anywhere far. As for me, their negative and positive comment is the reason that I keep moving on and pushing myself harder than the others.’ Her approach to learning became a strategic routine to ensure she mastered every technique.
Adeola said, ‘You do not just stand there and look at them and call that learning. Instead, you stand there. Look at them and take notes with your brain. Ask questions, make them feel you are ready to learn and put them into practice before you forget.’
Gaining Trust and Patronage on Campus
Attracting customers was not easy, as she had a playful reputation. She used her friendly personality to her advantage, gaining trust before demonstrating her skill. She said, ‘When I see a friendly customer, I stand there and watch them, joke with them and act like I’m actually learning. Meanwhile, I am just gaining their trust. They fall for it and ask if I’m skilled and promise to try me out next time.’
Her biggest tool, however, was unwavering confidence, even when she was still uncertain of her ability. She learned to present herself as the authority. ‘I will look them straight in the eye and say, if you think I cannot, should I call someone else for you even when I did not know what I was doing. You know when you know what you are doing, your aura will be different, like you’ll give them two choices and not make it seem like you are begging, that will leave them no choice but to allow you,’ she said.
This combination of skill and self-assurance led to her success in Ile-Ife. ‘On campus here, I barbed in open places, people got my number, and referrals started jumping in.’
The Ongoing Bias
Even with proven skill and a growing clientele, Adeola still faces gender bias, though it has shifted from customers to colleagues. She said, ‘Not from customers but from colleagues, and the reason is that we play a lot, so it would be hard to trust your hairline with a girl that plays a lot with you… So the close ones won’t want to allow, while some will gladly do.’
Her Message to Young Women
Adeola’s experience in a male-dominated field has culminated in clear advice for any young woman facing discouragement: ‘Just know that people’s opinions do not determine your success if only you want it to. Do not quit early, success does not come easy, keep taking a step forward, and before you know it, you would be where you always wanted to be, doing what you always wanted to do and earning what you’ve always wanted to earn.’
Ultimately, she stresses that self-perception is everything: ‘And yes, it Is the way you present yourself. People see you. If you present yourself as weak, they will see you as weak. Even if you are weak, do not present yourself that way.’