As Nigeria’s healthcare system grapples with the challenges of limited resources and increasing demand, leading health authorities and stakeholders are urging the nation to embrace self-care as a crucial strategy for achieving better health outcomes. This resounding call for action emerged at the recently concluded second edition of the D’Bio Wellness & Selfcare Summit, held in Lagos, which focused on the powerful theme: “Self-Care as a Driver of Optimal Health and Wellness.”
The summit brought together a vibrant mix of healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical industry leaders, community organizers, educators, and notable personalities from the entertainment sector. This year’s agenda highlighted a shared mission: to cultivate a robust culture of self-care among Nigerians and, by extension, serve as a model for West Africa and the continent at large.
Facing the Reality of Nigeria’s Healthcare System
Delivering a poignant keynote, Dr. Victor ’Gbenga Afolabi, CEO of Hazon Holdings and Co-Founder of Wellness HMO, drew attention to the deep-seated obstacles facing Nigeria’s health sector. With a doctor-to-patient ratio reportedly standing at 1:10,000, far above the World Health Organization’s recommended optimum of 1:600, and medical costs continuing to surge, the healthcare system is under significant strain.
Dr. Afolabi observed, “At this point, self-care isn’t a luxury or an alternative—it’s a necessity. Our system simply cannot keep pace with the rising healthcare needs if people don’t take individual responsibility for their wellbeing.” He voiced concern over the dual burden of both infectious diseases and the increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes, which can be managed more effectively with proactive self-care.
He stressed that in today’s context, hospitals should act as a safety net—the final point of care—while daily self-practices form the frontline of defense. He outlined six essential pillars of self-care, urging for greater investment in public education, affordable wellness tools, and supportive policies to empower individuals to manage their health independently.
Widening Access Beyond Professionals
Offering her perspective, Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, convener of the summit, insisted that good health should not be the exclusive domain of medical professionals. “Whether you’re in entertainment, education, or business, health belongs to everyone,” she said, highlighting that basic health knowledge and early intervention can reshape family and community wellbeing.
She underscored the importance of health literacy at all levels and introduced participants to the International Self-Care Foundation’s (ISF) seven established pillars of self-care. These include healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, sound mental health, responsible use of wellness products, hygiene, self-awareness, and maintaining healthy relationships. Dr. Eimunjeze called for collective action, stressing the need to mainstream these practices at home, in schools, and at the workplace.
Community, Industry, and Self-Love: The Building Blocks
Representing the Chairman of Fidson Healthcare, Dr. Fidelis Akhagboso Ayebae, Assistant General Manager (Marketing) Pharm. Friday Enaholo, shared insights from the pharmaceutical sector. He linked the idea of self-care directly to self-love—a vital source of motivation for sustaining wellness. “If you value yourself, you’ll make conscious choices that promote your health—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well,” Enaholo emphasized.
He encouraged attendees to champion awareness drives about self-care and become health ambassadors within their communities, arguing that grassroots involvement is critical to shifting public behavior and achieving lasting health transformation.
Lagos and Self-Care: A Reflection of Larger Trends in West Africa
Lagos’s hosting of this high-profile summit reflects a growing shift across Nigeria and West Africa toward community empowerment and preventative wellness. According to Lagos-based wellness coach Mrs. Ngozi Okoro, “More families are now investing in basic knowledge about nutrition and exercise—not waiting for a crisis before taking action. But misinformation and access gaps remain major hurdles, especially in rural areas.”
This reality is echoed in other parts of West Africa. Data from the Ghana Health Service shows a steady increase in lifestyle diseases linked to poor self-care, with experts there also calling for a cultural shift. Experts agree that normalizing holistic wellness practices from a young age is key.
“We have to move beyond seeing the doctor only when something’s wrong,” said Dr. Nana Kwame, a Ghanaian public health physician. “Education campaigns, youth clubs, and even WhatsApp health check-ins are slowly making a difference.”
Barriers to Self-Care: Myths, Systems, and Financing
While self-care sounds simple in principle, experts say there are deeply rooted cultural beliefs and practical barriers that often limit people’s ability to take ownership of their health. Dr. Afolabi pointed to persistent myths about traditional cures for serious diseases, a lack of affordable self-care products, and the high cost of accessing credible health information.
In underserved communities—urban and rural alike—the struggle to access nutritious foods, mental health support, and basic hygiene products persists. Pharm. Enaholo proposed targeted government subsidies and private sector involvement in supplying quality, affordable health and wellness essentials.
A policy advisor at the Federal Ministry of Health told us, “There is progress with national health insurance and basic services, but we need multi-sectoral partnerships to push self-care mainstream, including stronger regulation of wellness products and more funding for public health education.”
Global Lessons: Universal Roots, Local Solutions
Globally, the World Health Organization and International Self-Care Foundation continue to highlight self-care as a critical component of health system resilience, especially in regions facing similar constraints as Nigeria. In countries like South Africa and Kenya, self-care programs run by both government and NGOs have reportedly helped decrease preventable illnesses and lowered healthcare expenditure.
Self-care isn’t just about managing sickness—it’s about daily habits, social support networks, emotional well-being, and making health-positive choices in environments that often push in the opposite direction. For Nigeria and its neighbours, adapting these best practices in culturally respectful, accessible ways could play a decisive role in reducing the pressure on hospitals and clinicians.
The Roadmap Ahead: Champions for Change
The D’Bio Wellness & Selfcare Summit concluded with a consensus: Nigeria’s future health will depend on the willingness of individuals and institutions to recognize that self-care is an essential, not optional, practice. Initiatives that build capacity in health literacy, equip people with practical tools, and foster positive attitudes toward wellness can meaningfully change the national health narrative.
Community champions, faith leaders, content creators, and even local market women all have a stake in spreading the self-care message. By blending traditional values with evidence-based science, experts believe Nigeria can create a new culture where taking care of oneself is considered a personal and civic duty.
What are your thoughts on self-care as the foundation of healthy communities? How are you and your neighbours addressing wellness challenges in your daily lives? Drop a comment below and join the conversation—your perspective matters!
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