Copyright radarr
AXA Mansard Health, a leading Nigerian health insurance provider and member of the AXA Group, has advised business leaders and organisations to treat employee wellbeing as a strategic business investment that drives productivity and growth, rather than a financial burden. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tope Adeniyi, made this call during a breakfast meeting with senior human resources professionals and business executives in Lagos, where discussions focused on the rising cost of healthcare and its effect on workforce wellbeing and corporate performance. Adeniyi stated that while many businesses face growing operational costs, prioritising employee wellness remains one of the most effective ways to improve organisational performance and reduce overall expenditure. “Every business leader knows the pressure of cost containment,” he said. “But we have learnt, from more than a decade of serving thousands of employees across Nigeria’s most demanding sectors, that companies which treat wellbeing as a performance driver, not a cost centre, are the ones that thrive.” According to him, internal data from AXA Mansard Health’s operations show a strong correlation between proactive health investment and lower claims costs per employee. Adeniyi warned that companies attempting to cut health budgets to save money often face the opposite effect — rising absenteeism, declining morale, and reduced productivity. “Cutting health or wellness budgets to ‘save’ money often backfires,” he explained. “When employees are stressed or unwell, they may show up physically but be mentally and emotionally absent.” He added that organisations must view employee wellbeing not as corporate social responsibility but as a sound business strategy that supports long-term sustainability. “Taking care of our employees is not a sentimental choice, it’s good business,” he stressed. Other participants at the meeting, including top HR directors and business executives, discussed the difficulty of balancing rising healthcare expenses with the need to provide meaningful support for workers. They agreed that embedding wellness into company culture — especially when demonstrated by leadership — strengthens loyalty and enhances overall performance. During the event, AXA Mansard Health also showcased its wellness platform, which gives employees access to over 2,000 hospitals nationwide, telemedicine services, health education programmes, and lifestyle management tools. The platform is designed to help organisations improve preventive care and reduce healthcare costs through early detection and better health management. Reaffirming the company’s commitment to supporting employee wellbeing, Adeniyi pledged that AXA Mansard Health would continue partnering with employers to help them navigate the twin challenges of rising healthcare costs and maintaining workforce productivity. “We remain dedicated to equipping businesses with data-driven insights and practical tools to sustain a healthy, productive workforce,” Adeniyi said. Through initiatives like this, AXA Mansard Health continues to position itself as a leading advocate for workplace wellness in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive business landscape.
