BLACK BARBIE DOLLS

Taofick Okoya was dismayed when he could not find a black doll for his niece. The 43yo spotted a gap in the market and, with little competition from foreign firms such as the maker of Barbie, he set up his own business. The dolls represent Nigeria’s three largest Ethnic Groups; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba so far. 7 years on, Okoya sells between 6,000 and 9,000 of his Queens of Africa and Naija Princesses a month.