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Ogun State Commits to Empowering 10,000 Rural Girls with Free Sanitary Pads Initiative

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

The Ogun State Government has announced plans to distribute free sanitary pads to 10,000 girls in rural communities across the state in a bold step toward tackling period poverty and promoting menstrual hygiene

The initiative, unveiled today by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, aims to ensure that adolescent girls in underserved areas can attend school without the burden of menstrual challenges.

The program, dubbed “Pad for Every Girl,” will target secondary school students in remote local government areas, including Ifo, Ado-Odo/Ota, and Yewa North, where access to affordable hygiene products remains a significant barrier. Officials estimate that the distribution will commence in early December, with partnerships from local NGOs and health organizations to facilitate logistics and education sessions on menstrual health.

“This is more than just providing pads; it’s about breaking the cycle of absenteeism and stigma that affects our girls’ education and future,” said Dr. Aisha Bello, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development. “In Ogun State, we believe every girl deserves dignity and opportunity. By addressing this basic need, we’re investing in healthier, more empowered communities.”

The announcement comes amid growing national conversations on menstrual equity in Nigeria, where economic pressures have driven up the cost of sanitary products, now averaging ₦500–₦800 per pack in many markets. Studies from organizations like UNICEF indicate that one in four girls in rural Nigeria misses school during their periods due to lack of supplies, contributing to higher dropout rates among female students.

This government-led effort builds on previous NGO-driven campaigns in the state. For instance, the Pamilerin Foundation’s “Give A Girl Child A Pad” initiative distributed 12,000 pads in Ogun in 2022, while more recent programs by groups like Padbank have reached thousands through school outreaches in Lagos and Ogun.

However, state officials emphasized that the scale of this new program, reaching 10,000 beneficiaries marks a significant escalation, with a budget allocation of ₦50 million from the state’s social welfare fund.

During the launch event at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, beneficiaries from pilot schools shared testimonials. “Before, I would stay home for days every month because we couldn’t afford pads. Now, I can focus on my studies,” said 14-year-old Fatima Adebayo from a rural school in Ijebu-Ode.

The initiative will also include workshops on reusable pad alternatives and hygiene practices, in collaboration with health experts, to foster long-term sustainability.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his deputy, hailed the program as a cornerstone of the state’s gender equity agenda, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.

Advocates praise the move but call for nationwide replication. “Ogun’s commitment sets a precedent. Federal support could amplify this to millions,” noted Chioma Okoro, executive director of a Lagos-based women’s rights NGO.

As distributions roll out, the state anticipates measurable impacts: reduced school absenteeism, lower infection rates from poor hygiene, and boosted confidence among rural girls.

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Health

Walk for Her: Women in Advertising Leads Industry-Wide Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

by Women Times on

 

Women in Advertising (WIA), an initiative of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), has taken a proactive stance on health advocacy by successfully launching the “Walk for Her” Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Lagos. Held in observance of World Cancer Day, the event united the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) industry in a collective effort to fight breast cancer.

Organized by WIA in partnership with sectoral groups including the Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), the Media Independents Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), the walk showcased the industry’s commitment to leveraging creativity and communication for public health advocacy.

Participants embarked on a three-hour walk covering key areas such as Ikeja GRA, Opebi, Oregun, and Agidingbi, culminating at the AAAN Secretariat in Alausa. The route, passing through vital parts of Ikeja, served as a powerful reminder that the fight against breast cancer must be active, inclusive, and ongoing.

Beyond symbolic visibility, the event provided tangible benefits, offering free breast cancer screenings to 200 participants, hosting expert-led discussions on early detection and care, and facilitating interactive sessions on preventive practices. The initiative seamlessly combined advocacy with community service, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early intervention.

Oluwaseyi Layade, Chairperson of Women in Advertising, described the initiative as personal and purpose-driven. She highlighted that breast cancer impacts many women and stressed that early detection saves lives. Layade emphasized that the walk was more than a ceremonial gesture; it was a strategic movement to empower women, normalize breast cancer conversations, and inspire community action. She expressed gratitude for sector-wide support and reaffirmed WIA’s commitment to sustaining these efforts through partnerships, survivor stories, and outreach programs.

In his remarks, Lanre Adisa, President of AAAN and Chair of the Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups (HASG), recognized the significance of the initiative. He praised the WIA leadership for organizing the walk and urged the industry to embrace its role in fostering healthier communities. To ensure the initiative’s longevity, he recommended establishing a working committee tasked with developing a long-term strategy for collaboration, client engagement, and public education.

Other industry leaders joined the call for a healthier Nigeria, including Tolulope Medebem, President of EXMAN; Adeola Odesanya, President of WOHAN and OAAN Executive Council Member; Brenda Nwagwu, Vice President of MIPAN; Onome Odili, Chair of NIMN Ikeja; Roseline Abaraonye, Assistant Secretary of NIMN Ikeja; and Eunice Braimah, Vice Chairman of Women in Advertising. Together, they pledged to partner with NGOs, health organizations, and stakeholders to sustain and amplify the fight against breast cancer.

The “Walk for Her” initiative has set a new standard for industry collaboration—merging creativity, communication, and compassion toward a common goal. More than a one-day event, it marks the beginning of a sustained movement. Future activities include webinars, survivor storytelling sessions, NGO partnerships, and digital outreach to keep the message alive.

As participants marched under the pink banner of hope through Lagos, one message rang clear: the IMC industry is committed not only to building brands but also to building a healthier future for all.

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HealthLifestyle

Nigerian-Born US Nurse Urges Free Annual Cancer Screenings for All Nigerians

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

A US-based Nigerian nurse practitioner and oncology researcher, Edith Declan, has urged the Federal Government to provide free annual preventive health screenings to every citizen, emphasizing that early detection and prevention are the most effective and affordable strategies to curb cancer deaths in Nigeria.

Speaking from her position as a clinical translational research and community engagement nurse practitioner at Texas Southern University (TSU), Declan highlighted the lack of structured preventive healthcare and public awareness as major barriers to cancer control in the country.

“The first step in the cancer management continuum is prevention,” she said. “Our environment is filled with carcinogens in food, water, and air. We must start with awareness, early screening, and lifestyle changes—areas where government policy can have the greatest impact.”

Declan, a former oncology nurse with five years of experience, advocates making prevention the cornerstone of Nigeria’s cancer strategy. She proposes a national health card system entitling all citizens to free annual screenings, including prostate-specific antigen tests for men, mammograms and cervical cancer screenings for women.

“Early detection saves lives and reduces costs,” she stressed, noting that Nigeria’s cancer burden is exacerbated by delayed diagnoses and the absence of evidence-based policies.

Rather than creating new infrastructure, Declan recommends strengthening existing oncology institutes and research centers. She also called for partnerships with global pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer, Moderna, GSK, and Sanofi to conduct local cancer research. “These companies are eager to collaborate if invited,” she added.

Declan’s expertise stems from her focus on breast and prostate cancer prevention. She is leading a $2 million grant-funded program in Texas, offering free breast cancer screenings to 2,400 women and health education to 15,000 over three years. She plans to replicate this model in Nigeria soon, introducing free screenings for breast, prostate, cervical, and lung cancers alongside awareness campaigns.

“Cancer is enormous and multidimensional, affecting patients physically, mentally, and financially,” Declan said. “Without insurance, treatment is devastating. It often leads to depression and anxiety.”

She pinpointed modifiable risk factors driving Nigeria’s cancer rates, including excessive alcohol, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, smoking, and high-sugar foods. “Nigerians’ love for sugary drinks, fatty foods, and even high-glycemic staples like rice, combined with environmental hazards, multiplies the risks,” she warned.

Declan also criticized the scarcity of reliable medical and genetic data in Nigeria, which hinders identifying hereditary risks. “Many don’t know their family history and attribute cancer to witchcraft. Genetics plays a huge role—if a first-degree relative had cancer, your risk rises significantly.”

As founder of Penn Health Institute and a former educator who trained over 1,000 nursing students, Declan integrates data-driven research into her teaching and community outreach. “I teach nurses evidence-based decision-making in class and healthier living in the field,” she explained.

Urging a shift from treatment-focused spending, she said: “Treatment is costly and inaccessible to most. Prevention is cheaper and saves more lives—it’s the smartest government investment.”

For aspiring oncology nurses, Declan advised: “Know your ‘why.’ It’s emotionally demanding, patients can deteriorate rapidly but the fulfillment from making a difference is immense.”

Declan, a global advocate for cancer awareness, remains committed to her homeland. “Cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With awareness, screening, and lifestyle changes, we can drastically reduce deaths in Nigeria.”

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NewsHealth

Katsina First Lady Calls for United Front Against Polio: “Every Child Deserves Protection

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

October 24, 2025 –

Hajiya Zulaihat Radda, the First Lady of Katsina State, has rallied residents, community leaders, and health stakeholders to unite in the fight to eradicate polio once and for all. Speaking at a high-level media dialogue on immunization organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Katsina State Government, she emphasized that collective action is the only path to a polio-free future for the state’s children.

“Polio is not just a health challenge; it’s a threat to our children’s dreams and our shared prosperity,” Hajiya Radda declared. “We must all play our part—parents, fathers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the media—to ensure no child is left behind. Vaccines are free, safe, and our greatest weapon. Let us commit today to a Katsina where every family thrives without fear of this preventable disease.”

The event, held in the state capital, focused on the upcoming Integrated October Polio Vaccination Campaign, which aims to reach at least 4.8 million children aged 9 months to 14 years with measles-rubella vaccines and 2.3 million under-fives with novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). This initiative comes as Katsina remains one of Nigeria’s “Axis of Intractable Transmission” states, grappling with circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2). Earlier this year, the state reported 16 cases across five local government areas, underscoring the urgency of intensified efforts.

Hajiya Radda’s remarks built on her ongoing advocacy, including a December 2024 gender mainstreaming program that engaged men’s groups like “Majalisar Riga-kafi” to boost immunization rates. UNICEF Kano Field Office Chief Rahama Farah, who addressed the dialogue, praised the First Lady’s leadership, noting that her involvement has been pivotal in targeting over 45% fully immunized children by year’s end. “With partners like the First Lady, we’re not just vaccinating, we’re transforming communities,” Farah said. “The governor’s support and these male involvement strategies will help us end transmission and close the zero-dose gap.”

Health experts at the forum highlighted operational challenges, such as security issues in hard-to-reach areas like Batsari LGA, where 98% of recent cases originated. World Health Organization (WHO) representatives reiterated their commitment to supporting door-to-door campaigns and directly observed oral polio vaccination (DOOPV) to reach every eligible child. “Nigeria is close to certification as polio-free, but Katsina’s role is critical,” said WHO State Coordinator Dr. Abdulnasir Adamu. “Through relentless outreach, we’re ensuring access to quality healthcare for all, aligning with our triple billion targets.”

The First Lady’s call loudens broader African initiatives, where first ladies have historically championed polio eradication, from the 2015 African Union pledge to recent continent-wide summits. In Katsina, her efforts are part of a multi-pronged strategy: community sensitization, media mobilization, and accountability measures to reduce missed children, a persistent hurdle identified in past studies, where non-compliance rates once hovered near 50%.

While the vaccination campaign kicks off, officials urge parents to present children at designated posts and dispel myths about vaccine safety. “This is our moment,” Hajiya Radda concluded. “Together, we can vaccinate our way to victory and build a healthier Katsina for generations to come.”

 

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Health

Revolutionizing Healthcare Access: AXA Mansard Introduces Digital, Installment-Based Health Insurance

by Women Times on

In a significant stride to improve healthcare accessibility across Nigeria, AXA Mansard Health Limited has introduced a fully digital health insurance product featuring flexible monthly payment options. This innovative offering allows customers to spread their premiums over up to 10 months, replacing the traditional single annual payment and making health coverage more affordable for millions of Nigerians.

Designed to meet Nigerians where they are, the new product eliminates common financial and procedural barriers that have historically hindered access to quality healthcare. The solution is entirely digital, enabling seamless onboarding and management through an intuitive, mobile-friendly platform.

“Health insurance shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be a lifeline,” said Mrs. Adebola Surakat, Chief Marketing Officer at AXA Mansard. “With our extended solution, we’ve simplified the journey. Nigerians can now access the protection they need—anytime, anywhere—without the burden of a large upfront payment. It’s affordable, flexible, and accessible.”

Addressing a key challenge in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape—low insurance penetration due to cost and accessibility—the new offering aims to reach a broader demographic, including students, artisans, young families, and professionals. By removing paperwork and incorporating digital onboarding, AXA Mansard is bringing innovation to the market and empowering more Nigerians to prioritize their health.

“This isn’t just another health insurance product; it’s a gateway to quality healthcare that everyone can afford,” Mrs. Surakat added. “Customers can choose from tailored plans that suit their income and health needs. The platform’s user-friendly design ensures a quick, seamless experience.”

Nigerians can explore and enroll in the new health insurance plans easily online by visiting [https://www.axamansard.com/health/plans-details](https://www.axamansard.com/health/plans-details).

 

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Health

AXA Mansard Health Pledges Enhanced Service Delivery, Customer-Centric Approach at South-West Providers’ Forum

by Women Times on

AXA Mansard Health, Nigeria’s leading health insurance provider, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to delivering quality healthcare to its millions of customers nationwide.

During the recent South-West Provider Forum held in Ibadan, CEO Tope Adeniyi emphasized that the event underscores the company’s ongoing dedication to collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure affordable, accessible, and high-quality medical services across Nigeria.

Adeniyi explained that the forum serves as a platform for AXA Mansard Health to engage with its providers and explore innovative ways to enhance patient care. “At AXA Mansard Health, our core value is putting the customer first. This isn’t just a slogan—it’s the guiding principle behind everything we do, from product development and process improvements to CSR initiatives. We are built on protecting what matters most to our customers, and it’s through our providers—hospitals, clinics, labs—that this value is realized. Today’s gathering is about strengthening these partnerships to ensure our customers receive the best healthcare possible,” he stated.

He further highlighted, “Our customers always come first, followed closely by our providers. Maintaining this model will keep us at the forefront of healthcare in Nigeria. Our vision is to expand our reach across the country, bringing premium healthcare services to every Nigerian, because they deserve it. These forums are vital for building strong collaborations with our providers, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all.”

Since its inception, the forum series has been held in major cities, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Ibadan, and Abuja, over the past four months. It reflects AXA Mansard Health’s commitment to bridging the healthcare gap and making quality services accessible beyond Nigeria’s urban centers. This nationwide approach fosters collaboration, sharing best practices, and addressing the distinct healthcare challenges faced across different regions.

Nigeria’s healthcare system faces significant hurdles, with just about 4.08% of GDP allocated to health and a doctor-to-patient ratio of approximately 1:10,000—far below the WHO recommendation of 1:600. Rural areas often experience limited access and higher out-of-pocket costs, underscoring the importance of initiatives like this Providers’ Forum to improve healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.

AXA Mansard Health remains committed to enhancing its offerings and the overall healthcare experience through these engagements. The company plans to host future forums in the Southeast region, further demonstrating its dedication to ensuring quality healthcare is within reach for every Nigerian.

“As we look toward 2025, the insights and feedback from these forums will be instrumental in shaping our strategies to improve customer experience and expand access to quality healthcare across Nigeria,” Adeniyi concluded.

 

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HealthUncategorized

UNICEF Donates 1.4 Million Polio Vaccines to Adamawa, Aiding Women and Children’s Healthh

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene, 18 April 2025

In effects to eradicate polio in Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated 1.433 million doses of polio vaccines to the Adamawa State government. This generous contribution, announced on April 17, 2025, targets children aged 0 to 59 months in an upcoming immunization campaign, reinforcing the state’s efforts to protect its youngest citizens from the crippling disease. Beyond its immediate goal of polio eradication, this initiative carries profound benefits for women in Adamawa, empowering them through improved child health, reduced caregiving burdens, and enhanced opportunities for personal and community development.

Polio, a highly infectious viral disease, can lead to irreversible paralysis, particularly in young children. Adamawa, like many regions in northern Nigeria, has faced challenges in achieving universal immunization coverage due to logistical barriers and socio-economic constraints. UNICEF’s donation addresses these gaps by ensuring a robust supply of vaccines, enabling health workers to reach even the most remote communities. The campaign will involve door-to-door vaccinations and community health outreaches, ensuring that every eligible child is protected.

For women in Adamawa, this initiative is a transformative step forward. Mothers, grandmothers, and female caregivers bear the primary responsibility for nurturing young children, including those affected by polio-related disabilities. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of caring for a child with polio can be immense, limiting women’s ability to engage in income-generating activities, education, or community leadership. By preventing polio through widespread immunization, UNICEF’s donation alleviates these burdens, freeing women to pursue opportunities that enhance their economic independence and social empowerment.

Moreover, the campaign creates ripple effects for women’s health and agency. Immunization drives often serve as platforms for health education, where women learn about childcare, nutrition, and disease prevention. These interactions strengthen community health networks, many of which are led by female health workers and volunteers. In Adamawa, where women make up a significant portion of the community health workforce, such initiatives amplify their visibility and influence, fostering leadership and advocacy for broader gender equality.

Adamawa’s health authorities have expressed gratitude for UNICEF’s support, noting that the vaccines will bolster routine immunization programs and strengthen the state’s health infrastructure. For women, this means not only healthier children but also a more resilient healthcare system that supports their families’ well-being.

 

 

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NewsHealthWomen in Nigeria

Lassa Fever Outbreak: Nigerian Women on the Frontlines as Caregivers Demand Support.

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

As Nigeria grapples with a deadly Lassa fever outbreak that has claimed 118 lives in the first three months of 2025, women in affected communities are emerging as the unsung heroes, and unintended victims, of this public health crisis. With 645 confirmed cases reported across 33 states by March 31, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), women, often the primary caregivers in households, are bearing the brunt of the disease’s toll, particularly in hard-hit areas like Kano.

The outbreak, which has a case fatality rate of 18.3%, has exposed deep-seated gender dynamics in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. Women like Amina Yusuf, a 38-year-old mother of four from Kano, have found themselves thrust into the role of caregiver as family members fall ill. “My husband caught the fever last month, and I’ve been nursing him day and night,” Amina said, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “There’s no one else to do it. But the clinics are far, and we don’t have enough medicine or information to keep us safe.”

Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodents or bodily fluids, thrives in Nigeria’s dry season, peaking between November and April. The NCDC reports that 3,465 suspected cases have swept through 91 local government areas this year, with Kano among the regions sounding the alarm. For women, the risk is twofold: caring for the sick exposes them to infection, while limited access to medical resources heightens their vulnerability.

Dr. Fatima Bello, a public health expert in Kano, emphasized the gendered impact. “Women are the backbone of caregiving in our communities, yet they’re often the last to receive protective equipment or education about prevention,” she said. “This outbreak is a wake-up call—we need targeted support for these women, from gloves and masks to awareness campaigns in local languages.”

The NCDC has deployed rapid response teams to 10 high-burden states, including Kano, and activated a national emergency operations center to coordinate efforts. Yet, challenges persist: delayed case detection, manpower shortages, and late hospital visits—often due to reliance on traditional remedies—continue to hamper containment. Of the 20 healthcare workers infected nationwide, many are women, underscoring the frontline risks they face.

In Kano’s markets and cramped homes, women like Amina are calling for change. “We need more help—more doctors, more supplies, and someone to tell us how to stop this,” she pleaded. Community leaders have echoed her plea, urging the government and private sector to bolster medical infrastructure and launch door-to-door education drives.

 

 

 

 

 

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HealthNewsTrendingUncategorized

Post-Mother’s Day Push: Activists Target Nigeria’s Skin-Lightening Crisis.

by Women Times on

 

By Prosper Mene 

Mother’s Day on March 30, 2025, in Port Harcourt was more than a celebration of maternal love—it became a launchpad for a growing movement against Nigeria’s skin-lightening crisis. Today, March 31, activists report their efforts are gaining momentum, spurred by a women’s group that seized yesterday’s festivities to distribute “Love Your Skin” pamphlets, urging mothers to reject bleaching creams used by 77% of Nigerian women, according to World Health Organization data.

At a Mother’s Day event hosted by the Rivers Women Empowerment Network (RWEN) in the city’s Mile 1 district yesterday, volunteers handed out hundreds of flyers amid the singing of “Sweet Mother” and gift exchanges. The message was clear: embrace natural skin tones and protect the next generation from a practice linked to severe health risks like kidney damage and mercury poisoning. “Mothers shape our values—why not start with loving ourselves as we are?” said RWEN coordinator Blessing Amadi, speaking to reporters today..

The campaign struck a chord. By this morning, March 31, a viral video testimony from Chioma Nwankwo, a 39-year-old mother of three, had racked up over 50,000 views on Instagram. In the clip, recorded at yesterday’s event, Nwankwo shared how she quit bleaching creams two years ago after her daughters began asking why she “didn’t like her skin.” “I stopped for them—to show them beauty isn’t light skin,” she said, tearing up as the crowd cheered. Her story, hashtagged #LoveYourSkin, has since inspired local schools in Port Harcourt to schedule workshops for April, targeting both mothers and teens.

The skin-lightening crisis, declared a national health emergency by Nigeria’s drug agency in 2023, remains stubbornly entrenched, driven by cultural beauty standards favoring lighter complexions. The WHO’s 77% usage statistic—Africa’s highest—underscores the scale, with a 2025 BMJ study estimating thousands suffer from related health issues annually. Yesterday’s Mother’s Day push tapped into this urgency, framing mothers as key to breaking the cycle.

Today, RWEN reports that five secondary schools, including Government Girls’ Secondary School in Diobu, have committed to hosting “Love Your Skin” sessions, with plans to distribute educational kits funded by donations collected at the Mother’s Day event. “We raised N250,000 yesterday—enough to start,” Amadi said, noting the group aims to reach 1,000 students by mid-year.

For activists, Mother’s Day offered a rare spotlight. “Yesterday was about honoring moms—today, it’s about empowering them to change Nigeria,” Amadi said. As the campaign rolls forward, this post-Mother’s Day push could mark a turning point in the battle against a pervasive health and cultural crisis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Health

Workplace Wellness Takes Centre Stage in AXA’s Mind Health Report 2025

by Women Times on

AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, a leading insurance provider in Nigeria, has unveiled its AXA Mind Health Report 2025, a detailed study that highlights the pressing need for mental health awareness in the workplace and among young individuals.

Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi, General Counsel and Human Resource Director at AXA Mansard, explained that the Mind Health Report is part of the company’s ongoing effort to promote mental well-being and combat stigma through comprehensive strategies.

“The global mental health scenario remains concerning, with many individuals grappling with mental health issues,” Adewusi remarked. “This fifth edition of our report reveals alarming trends among youth and also examines how workplace environments can either bolster or hinder mental health.”

The findings of the report shed light on the mental health challenges faced by young adults and employees. Notably, it reveals that 44% of young adults aged 18-24 are currently dealing with mental health conditions, with excessive social media usage and financial uncertainty cited as leading factors. Furthermore, work-related stressors, such as overwhelming workloads, tight deadlines, and insufficient work-life balance, continue to be significant challenges for employees.

Adewusi stressed the necessity of prioritizing mental health within organizational structures, stating, “Mental health is an integral part of overall well-being, and companies must adopt policies that support their workforce.”

At AXA, this commitment is embodied in the We Care Programme, which offers employees benefits like flexible working hours, access to professional counseling, monthly health workshops, a supportive work environment, and extended leave options for caregivers and new parents.

“The AXA Mind Health Report 2025 underscores the urgent need for proactive strategies to tackle mental health challenges, both at work and among youth. We urge business leaders, government bodies, and other stakeholders to cultivate a wellness culture that supports individuals in achieving their full potential,” she added.

Conducted in partnership with IPSOS, the 2025 study surveyed 17,000 respondents across 16 countries in an effort to identify and address mental health and wellness issues in today’s society.

AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, a leading insurance provider in Nigeria, has unveiled its AXA Mind Health Report 2025, a detailed study that highlights the pressing need for mental health awareness in the workplace and among young individuals.

Omowunmi Mabel Adewusi, General Counsel and Human Resource Director at AXA Mansard, explained that the Mind Health Report is part of the company’s ongoing effort to promote mental well-being and combat stigma through comprehensive strategies.

“The global mental health scenario remains concerning, with many individuals grappling with mental health issues,” Adewusi remarked. “This fifth edition of our report reveals alarming trends among youth and also examines how workplace environments can either bolster or hinder mental health.”

The findings of the report shed light on the mental health challenges faced by young adults and employees. Notably, it reveals that 44% of young adults aged 18-24 are currently dealing with mental health conditions, with excessive social media usage and financial uncertainty cited as leading factors. Furthermore, work-related stressors, such as overwhelming workloads, tight deadlines, and insufficient work-life balance, continue to be significant challenges for employees.

Adewusi stressed the necessity of prioritizing mental health within organizational structures, stating, “Mental health is an integral part of overall well-being, and companies must adopt policies that support their workforce.”

At AXA, this commitment is embodied in the We Care Programme, which offers employees benefits like flexible working hours, access to professional counseling, monthly health workshops, a supportive work environment, and extended leave options for caregivers and new parents.

“The AXA Mind Health Report 2025 underscores the urgent need for proactive strategies to tackle mental health challenges, both at work and among youth. We urge business leaders, government bodies, and other stakeholders to cultivate a wellness culture that supports individuals in achieving their full potential,” she added.

Conducted in partnership with IPSOS, the 2025 study surveyed 17,000 respondents across 16 countries in an effort to identify and address mental health and wellness issues in today’s society.

 

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