Twenty-three new professionals have graduated from the Beauty Therapy Institute (BTI), marking a significant step toward raising standards in Nigeria’s beauty industry. The milestone was celebrated at a symposium hosted by Uno Health Group, where government representatives and industry leaders highlighted the need for collaboration, data-driven strategies, and the promotion of indigenous beauty practices.
The event brought together stakeholders including policymakers, entrepreneurs, health professionals, and educators to explore how the sector can unlock its full economic potential.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Partnerships, Chinny Okoye, congratulated the graduates and reiterated government commitment to supporting the sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs remains committed to innovation, economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods, and this includes investing in the beauty industry. We welcome partnerships that help scale local ideas and elevate Nigerian excellence on the global stage,” Okoye said.
Founder of Uno Health Group and convener of the symposium, Dr. Hilda Titiloye, underscored the industry’s untapped potential, lamenting the lack of collaboration and data as key obstacles to growth.
“Too many are working in silos,” she said. “With unity, we can influence policy, attract investment, and make a stronger impact. Many still underestimate the economic value of the beauty sector.”
Dr. Titiloye noted that BTI remains one of the first institutions in Nigeria to offer a structured, year-long beauty therapy programme. Its curriculum, she said, integrates scientific knowledge, ethical practices, and local relevance, with updates reflecting emerging trends and technologies.
She also advocated for the documentation and scaling of indigenous beauty ingredients such as shea butter and moringa oil, calling for backward integration and data collection to measure their economic contribution.
“There are whole communities built around beauty traditions, but without data, their value remains invisible,” she added.
Adanma Okoro, Chief Operating Officer of Uno Health Group and lead trainer at BTI, said the institute has trained over 200 students, with a strong focus on ethics, product safety, and skin science.
“Our training is rigorous because we believe beauty must be rooted in knowledge, not just aesthetics. We teach the science behind the skin and the products we apply,” she said.
Dermatologist and hair restoration expert Dr. Gboyega Olarinoye used the platform to call for a departure from Eurocentric ideals of beauty, urging Africans to embrace their own standards.
“We must stop measuring beauty by foreign standards. The Black race is beautiful. Let’s define beauty through our own lens,” he said.
Graduate Bright Adoga described the programme as life-changing. “I came in with passion, BTI gave it purpose and direction,” he said. Another graduate, Evita Felix Okonti, who joined in late 2023, praised the institute’s high standards. “If you’re aiming for excellence, this is where to find it. BTI has put Nigeria on the skincare map,” she said.
Stakeholders at the event emphasized the need for investment in data, policy reform, and strategic collaboration to position the beauty sector as a tool for job creation and national development.
The symposium featured a keynote address by Dr. Titiloye titled “Beyond Beauty: Why Standards, Skills & Synergy Will Shape Our Next Decade.” This was followed by a presentation by George Otache, Lead Cosmetic Scientist at Skintivity Skincare Ltd, on “Leveraging Contract Manufacturing & Private Labelling in Skincare.”
One of the event’s key panel sessions focused on hair and scalp health. Moderated by Dr. Linda Echenim, it featured Dr. Gboyega Olarinoye; trichologist Esohe E. Dan-Aighewii; and Adanna Ifeoma Egwuatu, Convener of the African Hair Summit and Afro Hair Culture Festival. The discussion, titled “Crowning Glory: Bridging Science, Skill & Style in Hair and Scalp Health,” examined how traditional knowledge and modern science can work hand in hand.
A fireside chat titled “The Raw, Unfiltered Truth About Being a Beauty Entrepreneur” featured insights from Psalmuel Josephs (25Pskyn), Layo Ogunbanwo (WithSpice), and Ameera Abraham (The Nail Bar).
Another highlight was a panel on scaling and financing beauty businesses. Moderated by Dr. Chito Nwigene, it featured Dr. Titiloye, Dr. Obianuju Ugwuoke (Tulip Bodycare), and a representative of FSDH Merchant Bank, focusing on smart strategies for growing profitable brands in a competitive market.
The event concluded with live demonstrations of innovations such as AI-powered skin analysis tools, RF microneedling for hyperhidrosis, and long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatments, offering a glimpse into the future of the industry.