As the economic situation continues to bite hard on Nigerians, many people, particularly women, now wear used underwear (pants & bra) popularly called ‘Akube’.
Prices of new underwear are so expensive nowadays to the extent that some of the so-called ‘slay queens’ also wear Akube pants and bras making it become a norm among ladies.
One Miss Omotoso Jaiyeola told AP News people resulted in buying this used underwear because the new ones are too expensive and are usually of low quality.
She said apart from that, most new underwear in the market don’t last as long as the Akube.
Omotoso lamented the situation saying that, “I can’t blame those who sell it because they are only trying to do a legitimate business to make a living, it is those who wear it that are at risk.”
According to her, there is also the fear of the speculation that the new bras have some cancer causing chemicals laid under them.
She said, “The new bras we buy there are cases where we hear that they have some chemicals in them, much less the used ones. The pants are mostly torn even though the sellers claim to wash them, they don’t know if the environment they wash them in is hygienic. In a situation where the underwear is white they use some low-cost bleach to wash them which may also have various reactions on people’s skin as we react differently to things.”
An old woman, Mrs Olabisi Oyewale, justified why people go for fairly used underwear saying that it is good and far better than the new ones.
Mrs Oyewale said Akube underwear are durable and do not fade when you wash them. “Also it does not slack, some are even better than the new ones because they have nice plain colours and beautiful patterns and they are also not common unlike the new ones, the most important thing is that it is not expensive and you wash in hot water before you wear them.”
However, a woman who doesn’t want her name mentioned told AP News that whether it is washed thoroughly or not, it is still not advisable for anyone to be wearing used underwear.
She opined that wearing used underwear also has a spiritual effect, “meaning that you might be carrying another person’s battle, it is not good physically, spiritually and health wise.”
Also, one Mrs Bunmi Oyekanbi expressed dislike for used underwear because it’s unhygienic.
She said the way they put it on the floor, dust, sweat and dirty water including other buyers would have touched this and that before they eventually choose the one they want, “the smell of it makes it irritating.”
