Nigeria Marks 2025 International Day of Care with #StartWithCare Campaign

Nigeria has joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day of Care 2025, emphasizing the urgent need to recognize care as a critical part of national infrastructure for stronger families, workplaces, and communities. 

The event, held at Capital Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and industry professionals under the theme:“Strong Nations. Strong Families. Strong Workplaces. #StartWithCare. 

The #StartWithCare campaign, convened by Blessing Oyeleye Adesiyan of Caring Africa, called on both government and private instNigeria has joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day of Care 2025, emphasizing the urgent need to recognize care as a critical part of national infrastructure for stronger families, workplaces, and communities. itutions to invest in care systems that support caregivers, parents, and workers across all sectors. 

“The government must treat care like what it is policy. Makers must invest in what makes care work. Every Nigerian must know that care is not a woman’s work. If we build care into our culture, we will build a nation that works, Adesiyan stated. 

Among the distinguished guests and participants were Sisi Yemi, Ibrahim Suleiman, Nancy Umeh, Folagade Banks, Dr. Jamila Lawal, Chef T, Dr. Ayodele Renard, and Toyosi Etim Effiong, who brought diverse perspectives from the creative and professional sectors on the central role of care in nation-building. 

Representing the Lagos State Government, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogundele, reaffirmed the states commitment to supporting the vulnerable through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) and other social inclusion programs. 

Care must be called what it really is social responsibility. Government will continue to protect vulnerable people in Lagos, but it cannot do it alone. We must also recognize the unseen caregivers who daily carry the load of love, Ogundele said. 

A highlight of the event was a panel discussion on Why Nigeria’s Workforce Must Include Caregivers, which addressed the need for workplaces to adopt policies that prioritize mental health, gender-neutral parental leave, and employee well being. 

Speakers agreed that care is not a burden employees should carry alone, but a shared responsibility that strengthens productivity, retention, and customer satisfaction. 

Participants concluded with a resounding message:“Care is an Economy Enabler.”They called for collective action, from government, businesses, and citizens to embed care into Nigeria’s development agenda, ensuring that strong families and strong workplaces together build a strong nation.