43-year-old., Taofick Okoya, started creating his own dolls called Queens of Africa in 2007 because he couldn't find a black doll in the shops as a gift for his niece

His business is reportedly now so successful that it is outselling Barbie. The doll is selling up to 9,000 units a month- a staggering 15 per cent of Nigeria's toy market. The doll comes with traditional outfits modelled on three of the Nigeria's biggest tribes and accessories and costs around 1,300 naira .Okoya aims to promote strong feminine ideals, like love, peace and endurance.


Due to the doll's online presence, customers are coming from as far as America, Brazil and Europe.He spoke to ELLE about his dolls out-selling Barbie in Nigeria.

"My mission is to make the Queens of Africa a symbol of hope, trust, and confidence by promoting African history, culture, and fashion.[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 says he is looking to prove them wrong ! Such determination
More photos of his works below :

source; http://www.kingebuka.com/2015/01/photos-meet-taofick-okoya-man-who.html

Originality

jessiecah:
Originality

yeah ...

Cool

Wow! They really look like every regular nkechi, bose and aisha on the streets of naija... nice one man.

Wow! Lovely!

Working on my own ingenous idea

hahn:
Wow! Lovely!

Working on my own ingenous idea

good to know ... the man above can be an inspiration to many

englishmart:
mediocrity

u think ds products are mediocre? Nawa for you o.

I luv dis guy..dis is creativity at its peak

englishmart:
mediocrity

wat ve u been able 2 achieve in life

good job from him

pretydiva:
I luv dis guy..dis is creativity at its peak

exactly

englishmart:
mediocrity

[s]

englishmart:
mediocrity

[/s]

englishmart:
mediocrity

No! It's called creativity



















PS: Don't smoke before you type!

Impressive...
Proudly Nigerian
Proudly African!!!

Wow, I'm loving this. This is what we call originality, creativity and confidence.

Wonderful!
I was complaining bitterly about the inferiority complex and other psychological effects of black girl playing with caucasian dolls.
I even hypothesized that it was reason for the rampant use of skin lightening creams and relaxers.

fr3do:
Wonderful!
I was complaining bitterly about the inferiority complex and other psychological effects of black girl playing with caucasian dolls.
I even hypothesized that it was reason for the rampant use of skin lightening creams and relaxers.

lol at 'it was reason for the rampant use of skin lightening creams and relaxers'

Cute dolls,loving the traditional attire

creativity!!!

cute dolls

Sarimah:
creativity!!!

cute dolls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y2CiT8QHvs

[size=14pt]The Queens of Africa, to take over Barbie[/size]

For seven years, Taofick Okoya worked hard to create dolls for African girls, his goal was to create a relatable doll for black girls, instead he has started a global phenomenon. He discusses his journey in bringing The Queens of Africa to light. Now his dolls are outselling Barbie in Nigeria.

Down to the braids!!!!!!!!