About 23 people have been trained and certified by The Beauty Therapy Institute (BTI) in an attempt to improve the beauty sector in Nigeria, as the Federal Government and industry players on Saturday sought a leeway that will enable harnessing the full potential of the sector.
Awarding certificates to 23 graduates at a symposium organised by the Uno Health Group, which brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, health professionals, and stakeholders in the beauty sector, the experts emphasised the need to redefine beauty standards in Africa and promote local innovations in the industry.
Delivering a message on behalf of the Minister for Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Partnerships, Chinny Okoye, congratulated the graduates and reaffirmed the Federal Ministry’s support for the sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs remains committed to supporting innovation, economic empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods — and that includes empowering entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. We are open to partnerships and collaboration that help expand opportunities, scale ideas, and spotlight Nigerian excellence on a global stage,” Okoye noted.
Founder of Uno Health Group and convener of the event, Dr. Hilda Titiloye, said the industry remains undervalued despite its economic potential. She said the lack of collaboration among stakeholders and inadequate data have limited the sector’s growth.
“Many people don’t see the economic importance of the beauty industry,” she said. “Everyone is working in silos. But when people come together, we can influence policy, attract funding, and drive greater impact.”
Titiloye said BTI is one of the first institutions to offer structured training in beauty therapy in Nigeria, with programmes running up to a year. She noted that the curriculum has been revised over time to suit local needs and incorporate scientific and ethical standards.
She also highlighted the need to document and scale indigenous beauty practices such as the use of shea butter and moringa oil.
Calling for backward integration, she said: “There are entire communities built around beauty practices, but because the data is missing, we can’t measure their value.”
The Chief Operating Officer of the organisation and lead trainer at BTI, Adama Okoro-Ekedebe, said over 200 students have been trained at the institute.
She said the school places strong emphasis on ethics, skin anatomy, and product knowledge.
“What makes BTI training different is the fact that we focus on the ethics of the industry. We ensure that students understand the anatomy of the skin and the products they’re working with,” she said.
A dermatologist and hair restoration surgeon, Dr. Gboyega Olarinoye, used the occasion to call for a shift away from Eurocentric beauty ideals, urging Africans to embrace their own identity and standards.
“We must stop defining beauty by standards that aren’t ours. The black race is beautiful,” he said. “We need to stop looking outside and instead define beauty using what we have.”
Bright Adoga, one of the top students, described the training as transformative. “I started with passion, BTI gave it direction,” he said.
Another graduate, Evita Felix Okonti, who joined the programme in late 2023, praised the institute’s rigorous standards.
“If you’re looking for excellence, this is it. Nigeria is now on the skincare map,” she said.
The stakeholders called for more investment in data gathering, policy reform, and collaboration to strengthen the beauty industry’s role in job creation and economic development.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Hilda Titiloye, Founder of Uno Health Group, who spoke on the theme “Beyond Beauty: Why Standards, Skills & Synergy Will Shape Our Next Decade.” This was followed by an industry insights session led by George Otache, Lead Cosmetic Scientist at Skintivity Skincare Ltd, who addressed the topic “Leveraging Contract Manufacturing & Private Labelling in Skincare.”
The first panel discussion of the day focused on hair and scalp health and was moderated by Dr. Linda Echenim. The panel featured Dr. Gboyega Olarinoye, Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon at Skin101 Clinics; Esohe E. Dan-Aighewii, a professional trichologist; and Adanna Ifeoma Egwuatu, Convener of the African Hair Summit and Afro Hair Culture Festival. They discussed the topic “Crowning Glory: Bridging Science, Skill & Style in Hair and Scalp Health.”
A fireside chat titled “The Raw, Unfiltered Truth About Being a Beauty Entrepreneur” featured insights from Psalmuel Josephs, Founder of 25Pskyn; Layo Ogunbanwo, Founder of WithSpice; and Ameera Abraham, Founder of The Nail Bar.
Another key segment was the second panel discussion on business, branding, growth and financing, moderated by Dr. Chito Nwigene. Panellists included Dr. Hilda Titiloye of Uno Health Group, Dr. Obianuju Ugwuoke, Founder of Tulip Bodycare, and a representative of FSDH Merchant Bank. They explored strategies for “Scaling Smart: Building Profitable Beauty Businesses in a Competitive Market.”
The event also featured a live demonstration session led by experts showcasing innovations such as AI skin analysis tools, RF microneedling for hyperhidrosis, and long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser techniques.
