Self-Love, Health Literacy, Wellness Take Centre Stage at Lagos Self-Care Summit
The second edition of the D’Bio Wellness & Self-Care Summit opened on September 24, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Conference & Exhibition Centre in Alausa, Ikeja. The event brought together healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical stakeholders, educators, community leaders, and representatives from entertainment and media, in a robust dialogue centered on the theme: Self-Care as a Driver of Optimal Health and Wellness.”
Designed to promote personal responsibility in healthe management, the summit emphasized self-care as an essential, accessible strategy for improving national health outcomes. Organizers expressed concern about the rising burden on Nigeria’s overstretched healthcare system and advocated for a nationwide cultural shift toward preventive care and wellness education.
In her opening address, Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, convener of the summit, underscored the need to democratise health knowledge beyond medical professionals.
“Regardless of your background or profession, self-care is not a luxury reserved for healthcare practitioners,health literacy must become a shared responsibility if we are to create lasting change.” She said.
Dr. Eimunjeze stressed the urgency of engaging youth through relatable platforms such as entertainment and journalism, suggesting that early exposure to health messages could preempt future medical crises.
“When health becomes a priority only after illness strikes, it’s often too late. We must begin the conversation earlier and with everyone,” she noted.
Referencing the seven pillars of self-care defined by the International Self-Care Foundation (ISF), including health literacy, nutrition, physical activity, mental well-being, and the rational use of health products, as she called on participants to become ambassadors of self-care in their various spheres of influence.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the event chairman, Pharm. Friday Enaholo, Assistant General Manager (Marketing) at Fidson Healthcare Plc, emphasized that true wellness begins with self-awareness and personal value.
“The journey to wellness starts with self-love. When you truly value yourself, you will take deliberate steps to preserve your health,” he said.
He warned that physical appearances can be deceptive, noting that individuals who appear outwardly healthy may still struggle with undetected mental or internal health conditions. Enaholo encouraged guests to support D’Bio’s efforts in promoting preventive healthcare across all sectors.
The keynote address was delivered by CEO of Hazon Holdings and Co-Founder of Wellness HMO, Dr. Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi described self-care as an urgent national imperative.
“Self-care is no longer a lifestyle choice; it is a necessity. With limited resources and increasing disease burdens, it is the most effective way to balance demand with capacity,” he said.
Dr. Afolabi highlighted critical issues such as Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:10,000 and the dual pressures of infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension and diabetes.
He emphasized that structured, evidence-based self-care should form the first line of defense in healthcare management.
While advocating for policies that promote affordable wellness tools, accessible education, and supportive infrastructure for self-care. He stated, “Hospitals should be the last resort,not the first”
The summit attracted a diverse array of dignitaries and sector leaders, including:
,Chairman of Fidson Healthcare Plc Dr. Fidelis Akhagboso Ayebae, represented by Pharm. Friday Enaholo, Nurse Omomowo O. Omolara, Assistant Director, Lagos State Ministry of Health Mrs. Adenike representing the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA),
Prof. Lere Baale CEO, Business School Netherlands and President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Pharm. I.G. Anukwu, COO, Alpha Pharmacy, Pharm. Scholastica Mnena Lan, National Chairman, ALPs (represented by Pharm. Foluke), Mr. Avinash Watts, Managing Director, Vitasage and Vice President, Medicef and Purobien Life Science, Mr. Anthony Dike Anifite, Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze.
Their presence signaled growing multisectoral support for embedding self-care principles into national health discourse. Many delivered goodwill messages reaffirming their commitment to cross-sector collaboration for better public health outcomes.
As part of the summit’s activities, attendees participated in a Product Presentation and Tour Exhibition that showcased innovative wellness solutions. Exhibitors included leading health companies such as Nature’s Field, Fidson, Nemel, JOUF Pharmaceuticals, Neimeth, Embassy Pharmaceuticals, Greenlife, Basic Supplement Immunboost, M&B, Swipha, Agewell, and Pan Atlantic University’s Lagos Business School among others.
The exhibition served as a hands-on experience for guests to engage with new health products, technologies, and supplements, reinforcing the summit’s commitment to equipping individuals with practical tools to support self-care.
In closing, the 2025 D’Bio Wellness & Self-Care Summit not only spotlighted the critical role of personal health responsibility but also galvanized a collective call to action. Stakeholders agreed that self-care must be embedded into Nigeria’s health framework as both a preventive measure and a pathway to long-term wellness and sustainability.
Culled from: newsfrontage.com.ng
