Calls for Nigerians to embrace self-care as a cornerstone of health and wellness took center stage at the second edition of the D’Bio Wellness & Selfcare Summit, which opened on September 24, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Conference & Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
The summit, themed “Self-Care as a Driver of Optimal Health and Wellness,” convened health advocates, pharmaceutical stakeholders, community leaders, educators, and representatives from the entertainment sector. Organizers emphasized the urgent need to integrate self-care into the nation’s health culture, noting its potential to improve outcomes and reduce strain on Nigeria’s overstretched healthcare system.
In her welcome address, host and convener, Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, said self-care must be regarded as a universal responsibility rather than the exclusive domain of medical professionals. “Whichever sector or area you are, self-care and health aren’t the exclusive preserve for those of us trained in healthcare,” she remarked. She underscored the role of health literacy and early lifestyle engagement in preventing disease and promoting wellness.
Dr. Eimunjeze further stressed the importance of reaching young people through platforms such as entertainment and journalism, pointing to the seven pillars of self-care outlined by the International Self-Care Foundation, which include health literacy, nutrition, physical activity, rational use of products, and mental well-being.
Representing the chairman of the event, Pharm. Friday Enaholo, Assistant General Manager (Marketing) at Fidson Healthcare, emphasized the link between self-love and wellness. “The word ‘self-care’ starts with self-love. If you love yourself, you will want to achieve wellness and sustain it,” he said. He added that wellness extends beyond outward appearance, warning that “one can look healthy and be sick inside.”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Victor ’Gbenga Afolabi, CEO of Hazon Holdings and Co-Founder of Wellness HMO, who painted a sobering picture of Nigeria’s healthcare challenges. With a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:10,000, rising costs, and a dual burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, he argued that self-care is not just desirable but essential. “Self-care is no longer optional; it is essential to balance rising demand with finite resources,” he said, stressing that hospitals should serve as the last line of defense, not the first.
Distinguished guests included Dr. Fidelis Akhagboso Ayebae, Chairman of Fidson Healthcare Plc (represented by Pharm. Enaholo); Nurse Omomowo O. Omolara, Assistant Director at the Lagos State Ministry of Health; Mrs. Adenike, representing the Nigeria Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA); Prof. Lere Baale, President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy; and several top executives from pharmaceutical companies and health organizations. They delivered goodwill messages affirming their support for strengthening self-care initiatives nationwide.
The summit also featured a Product Presentation and Tour Exhibition with companies such as Fidson, Nature’s Field, Nemel, Neimeth, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, Swipha, and others showcasing innovations in supplements, pharmaceuticals, and wellness solutions. Exhibitors underscored the importance of pairing quality products with reliable health education to empower Nigerians in managing their well-being.
By the close of the summit, participants reaffirmed that prioritizing self-care could transform Nigeria’s health landscape, reduce preventable illnesses, and promote a culture of proactive wellness. The gathering highlighted that achieving lasting change requires collective engagement—from policymakers and industry leaders to communities and individuals.