Abstract
Employing a multi-theoretical approach that combines cultural and aesthetic labour theories in this study, we explore employment perceptions of tattooed job applicants and the long-term employment implications in Nigeria. Our analysis of in-depth interviews with fifty young Nigerians (ages 17–25) and forty Human Resource (HR) recruiters offers a nuanced understanding of how body art intersects with cultural norms and aesthetic labour in the Nigerian job market. Shedding light on the long-term effects of aesthetic work choices on employment, our findings show that, rather than a form of self-expression, tattoos function as “aesthetic liability." Results illuminate how Nigerian hiring, evaluations, and employment prospects for tattooed people are shaped by cultural norms, religious beliefs, and aesthetic expectations. We conclude by offering critical insights into implications for HRM scholars and practitioners for shaping employment practices in Nigeria’s evolving job market.