Category: Business Day

For people considering a move abroad for work in 2026, the choice of country often depends on career opportunities, visa routes, cost of living and the chance to build a life outside work.

From working holiday options in New Zealand and Australia to skilled migration routes in Germany and Canada, several countries offer pathways for international workers.

Here are 10 countries to consider for working abroad in 2026.

1. New Zealand

New Zealand is suited to people seeking seasonal work while travelling. Its key industries include agriculture, technology, healthcare, education, winter sports and ecotourism.

The country offers a Working Holiday Visa for eligible young adults aged 18-35 from participating countries. Auckland is a major employment centre, while Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton also offer opportunities.

New Zealand’s work culture supports time outside work, although housing costs have increased. Smaller towns may also feel isolated.

One worker, Johanna of JENZA Work New Zealand, said: ‘I had an amazing experience working and traveling in New Zealand. You need to be diligent to get work, but it is well worth it and the country is so easy to get around to see it all while you are there.’

2. The Netherlands

The Netherlands offers opportunities in technology, software, finance, research, international affairs, logistics and sustainable energy.

Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague are key employment centres. The country also hosts European operations for companies including Philips, ASML and Unilever.

English is widely spoken, which can make the transition easier for international workers. However, housing and other living costs can be high, while building local friendships may take time.

3. South Korea

South Korea is an option for people interested in teaching, technology, manufacturing, tourism and entertainment.

Seoul, Busan and Daegu have established international communities. The country is also known for opportunities to teach English as a foreign language.

The English Program in Korea (EPIK), operated by the Korean Ministry of Education and National Institute for International Education, provides opportunities for English teachers.

Teaching contracts can include accommodation, although some workers may experience pressure to work longer hours.

Emily, who taught in South Korea through CIEE, said: ‘Teaching abroad in South Korea has been such a great experience! The culture is amazing, the students are eager to learn. There’s always something new to experience.’

4. Australia

Australia remains an option for skilled workers and people seeking temporary work while travelling.

Its major employment sectors include healthcare, engineering, IT, education, agriculture, hospitality and marketing. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are among the main employment centres.

Eligible people aged 18-35 can use the Working Holiday Visa route, while skilled workers can use Australia’s points-based immigration system.

The country offers high wages, but living costs have been rising, particularly in major cities.

5. Germany

Germany is recruiting international workers in engineering, healthcare, IT, finance and skilled trades.

The Skilled Immigration Act and updated EU Blue Card rules have expanded routes for non-EU professionals. Berlin, Munich and Hamburg are among the cities with established international communities.

Germany also offers opportunities for international students, with many public university programmes offering low or no tuition fees.

However, German remains useful for everyday life, even when a workplace operates in English. Taxes can also reduce take-home pay.

Andrew, who completed an internship in Berlin, said: ‘My internship in Berlin was a highly enriching experience that allowed me to grow both professionally and personally.’

6. Canada

Canada is suited to workers seeking career development and a possible long-term route to residency.

Its major sectors include IT, healthcare, research, energy and finance. Express Entry provides a route for eligible skilled workers seeking permanent residence.

Canada also provides employment benefits, including parental leave and paid vacation.

The main challenge is the cost of housing, transport and other expenses, especially in cities such as Toronto and Vancouver.

7. UAE

The United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offers opportunities in technology, real estate, tourism, finance, manufacturing and other sectors.

The country has no personal income tax and has a large expatriate workforce. It also offers visa options for professionals, investors, skilled workers and freelancers.

The UAE provides a one-year renewable virtual work visa and longer-term options such as the Golden Visa and Green Visa.

Workers should also consider the country’s social norms and the high temperatures experienced during the summer months.

8. Denmark

Denmark is an option for people who place work-life balance among their priorities.

Its employment sectors include green energy, biotechnology, agriculture, research, childcare and teaching.

The country has a standard 37-hour working week and provides social benefits, including subsidised childcare and universal healthcare.

However, living costs are high, while cold weather and limited sunlight during parts of the year may affect people moving from warmer countries.

9. Portugal

Portugal has attracted remote workers, freelancers and digital nomads through visa routes that allow people to live in the country while working for foreign employers or clients.

The technology, tourism, customer service and creative sectors also provide employment opportunities.

The D8 Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote workers and requires proof of income. Portugal also offers the D7 visa and a Job Seeker Visa for people seeking other routes to live and work there.

Lisbon and Porto have large international communities, while the Algarve and Silver Coast offer alternatives outside the main cities.

Applicants should note that immigration processing has faced delays.

10. Cambodia

Cambodia offers a lower-cost option for people working abroad, particularly remote workers and digital nomads.

Its major sectors include tourism, agriculture, textiles and English teaching. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have established expatriate communities.

Locally employed foreigners often work in education, development and tourism, while remote workers can use Cambodia as a base if they already have an income source.

Trading activity on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) recorded a sharp increase in the week ended August 14, 2026, as investors exchanged 12.153 billion shares valued at N176.058 billion across 224,146 deals.

The performance represents a 126.8 percent increase in traded volume compared with the 5.359 billion shares worth N139.053 billion exchanged in 261,869 deals in the previous week. Turnover value also increased by 26.6 percent, while the number of deals declined by about 14.4 percent.

Despite the surge in trading activity, the broader equities market closed lower as investors took profits following recent gains. The NGX All-Share Index declined by 1.20 percent to 242,619.20 points, while market capitalisation fell by 1.19 percent to N156.624 trillion.

The broader market remains firmly positive for the year despite the week’s moderation, with the NGX All-Share Index recording a year-to-date (YtD) return of 55.91 percent as of August 14.

The increase in activity was also reflected in other trading indicators. Market depth improved to 27.76 percent from 21.67 percent in the previous week, while average daily value traded rose to N35.21 billion from N27.81 billion.

The Financial Services Industry dominated market activity, accounting for 11.212 billion shares valued at N88.991 billion across 102,246 deals. The sector contributed 92.25 percent of total equity turnover by volume and 50.55 percent by value.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry followed with 246.127 million shares worth N51.605 billion traded in 27,169 deals, while the Services Industry ranked third with 198.195 million shares valued at N1.995 billion across 13,747 deals.

Activity was particularly concentrated in three equities; Fortis Global Insurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc and Consolidated Hallmark Holdings Plc. The trio accounted for 9.488 billion shares worth N36.219 billion in 1,781 deals, representing 78.07 percent of total equity turnover volume and 20.57 percent of turnover value for the week.

The fixed-income segment also recorded increased activity, with investors trading 232,979 units valued at N226.258 million in 35 deals, compared with 117,372 units worth N121.249 million in the previous week.

In the Exchange Traded Products segment, 2.346 million units valued at N501.051 million were traded across 5,291 deals.

Market breadth, however, showed some improvement. 26 equities appreciated during the week, unchanged from the previous week, while the number of declining equities eased to 59 from 63. 62 equities closed unchanged, compared with 58 in the preceding week.

The market breadth ratio consequently improved to 0.69x from 0.62x in the previous week, indicating a narrower gap between gainers and decliners despite the decline in the benchmark index.

Trans-Nationwide Express Plc led the gainers’ chart with a 32.09 percent increase, followed by International Energy Insurance Plc, which advanced 31.68 percent, and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, which gained 13.77 percent. On the other side, AVA Capital Plc topped the losers’ chart with a 34.55 percent decline, followed by Unilever Nigeria Plc, down 18.94 percent, and Zichis Agro Allied Industries Plc, which shed 15.08 percent.

Meanwhile, Lasaco Assurance Plc expanded its share capital following the listing of 9.236 billion additional ordinary shares on the NGX Daily Official List on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of five new ordinary shares for every six existing shares held as of February 20, 2026. Following the listing, Lasaco Assurance’s issued and fully paid-up share capital increased from 11.084 billion shares to 20.320 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

Sectoral performance has been even stronger in parts of the market, with the NGX Oil and Gas Index up 94.81 percent year-to-date, followed by the NGX Premium Index at 85.14 percent and the NGX Industrial Goods Index at 82.84 percent, underscoring the strength of the market’s gains despite the week’s profit-taking.

The Initiative for School Excellence and Education Foundation has threatened legal action against WAEC over the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) results, demanding an independent verification and transparency in the review process.

Chinwe Onubugo, a lawyer for Zuriel Law Practice on behalf of the foundation, in a letter sighted by BusinessDay as posted by Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, through his official X handle @winexviv, demanded that the West African Examinations Council should 14 days of receipt of the letter, confirm that all electronic and documentary records relating to the 2026 CB-WASSCE have been preserved in their original and unaltered form.

Besides, the council is to provide copies of, or reasonable access to, the regulations, protocols and technical framework governing the 2026 CBE; confirm the mechanism through which candidates may obtain their individual electronic examination records; and establish a transparent procedure for affected candidates to query and challenge their results.

Moreover, WAEC is to confirm the safeguards employed to verify the accuracy of electronically recorded responses and automatically generated scores; provide appropriate information concerning any material technical incidents encountered during the 2026 CBE and the measures taken to determine whether such incidents affected candidates’ results; engage with the foundation concerning an independent verification or audit mechanism; and agree to suspend any irreversible disposal, destruction or alteration of records relevant to the issues raised herein pending completion of the proposed review.

Consequent to non-engagement, the foundation states it will take the necessary court actions against WAEC.

‘If WAEC fails or refuses to engage meaningfully with the matters raised herein within the stipulated period, our client will have no option but to pursue appropriate legal remedies and commence proceedings in court, seeking, amongst other reliefs: orders declaring WAEC’s statutory obligations in relation to the integrity, transparency and reliability of the 2026 CBE.

‘Appropriate orders compelling preservation and disclosure of relevant examination records, orders requiring the establishment of an effective candidate review and verification mechanism; orders requiring human review and independent reprocessing where material discrepancies are established,’ the letter stated.

In addition, it stated that appropriate orders concerning any systemic defect shown to have affected the reliability of the 2026 examination results; and that such further or other orders as the court may deem appropriate.

‘Our client sincerely hopes that litigation will be unnecessary and that WAEC will recognise that the requested measures are intended principally to preserve public confidence in the examination system and protect the educational interests of affected Nigerian students.

‘Nothing in this letter should be construed as a waiver of any right, remedy or cause of action available to our client or to any affected candidate,’ the letter read.

According to Onyia, in his post, there appears to be a serious problem with the recently released results that WAEC has so far refused to publicly acknowledge and address. The consequences are not abstract.

‘Real students are affected. Their admissions, opportunities and futures are at stake. We cannot sit back and watch an institution as important as WAEC toy with the destinies of young people because it is unwilling to admit that something may have gone wrong.

‘If there is a glitch, admit it. Investigate it transparently. Fix it. And where students have been wrongly affected, correct their results. That is what accountability looks like,’ he stated.

Meanwhile, he insisted that no institution should be too big to admit an error, especially when the future of a child may depend on it.

‘WAEC must be accountable. WAEC must be transparent. And every affected student deserves answers,’ Onyia noted.

Recall that BusinessDay earlier reported that WAEC reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the integrity of its assessment processes and safeguarding the interests of every candidate, and advised the general public to refrain from unverified social media speculation.

Moyosola Adesina, the head of public affairs at WAEC, Yaba, Lagos, disclosed this, in a statement on behalf of the head of national office.

‘The council has observed with concern the recent wave of public commentary, particularly from content creators and social media commentators, questioning the accuracy and credibility of the recently released results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2026.

‘While the council welcomes constructive scrutiny as part of its accountability to candidates, parents, schools, and the wider public, it wishes to state unequivocally that this year’s results were produced through the same rigorous, transparent, and quality-assured processes that have guided the Council’s operations for decades,’ the statement read in part.

The Council explained that the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2026, was conducted strictly in line with WAEC’s established standard operational procedures and in keeping with relevant educational policies in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Education.

The famous entrepreneur, Warren Buffet once said it takes about 20 years to build a reputation, but only five minutes to ruin it. That’s definitely true in today’s fast-paced world, where terrible news travels at the speed of light. However, it is possible for companies to recover from negative situations. All they really need to do is take the right approach to preserving and cultivating customer trust.

Here are my top tips for repairing your brand’s reputation…

1. Be proactive

You can’t always predict how your ad campaigns and messaging strategy will impact your customers. However, you can take a proactive approach to tracking, understanding, and preserving your brand’s reputation. It just takes a little work.

These days, there are tons of tools available online to help companies keep track of everything from customer satisfaction scores to reviews. Social monitoring tools can even offer an insight view into your brand’s reputation by tracking ‘mentions’ online.

Paying attention to the negative information spreading about your company, reading reviews, and reading news reports will help you tackle false claims and scandals faster, and more effectively.

2. Plan for damage control

Even if you’re proactive about monitoring your reputation on social media platforms and other landscapes, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never encounter issues with your brand image. There’s always a risk negative reviews and problematic practices can come to light.

The question is, do you have a plan for how you’re going to deal with these problems? A lot of large and small businesses alike make bad situations worse by jumping into action without a strategy. They act defensively when responding to negative comments, or try to sweep issues under the rug.

Having a well-thought out plan in place for crisis management can help mitigate these problems. Determine who’s going to be responsible for addressing customer concerns. Have a plan for sharing information quickly with your target audience. You might even consider working with a branding agency to help you create a consistent brand image after a major public relations nightmare.

3. Own up to your mistakes (and fix the problem)

These days, consumers have higher expectations of brands than ever before. However, that doesn’t mean they always expect you to be perfect. Most consumers understand that businesses across many different industries can sometimes make mistakes.

What they expect from you is the right response. Whether you’re dealing with a negative review, or a press release has left you with a tarnished brand, own up to your mistakes. Don’t try to pass the blame or explain away the issue.

Validate the emotional responses of your customers, and apologise for making a mistake. Remember, the ‘customer is always right’. Address the problem quickly and comparatively, and look for the best way to fix the problem. Working with your customers to address any issues they might face can turn unhappy customers into happy ones in an instant. Show you’re committed to positive change.

4. Activate your loyal customers

Few things draw attention away from a PR nightmare, than positive publicity. Even if you encounter a problem with your brand’s image, there may still be loyal customers in your midst who you can activate and turn into advocates for your brand. Motivate happy customers to share their positive experiences with your brand, and draw attention to those reviews and testimonials in your marketing campaigns. Create a social media campaign asking people to vote on what they like best about your company.

Connect with loyal customers and ask them what you can do to make their experience with your company better than ever. Posting user-generated content, such as positive feedback or images online, can help to re-direct the conversation and remind people why they like your company.

5. Work with the experts

If you’re facing a serious problem with a negative brand image, sometimes the only option is to bring in the big guns. A brand manager or PR expert can help plan a comprehensive strategy for fixing your image. They can give guidance on how to respond to customers.

Some experts can also assist with your marketing strategy, looking for ways to turn negative attention into a positive experience. PR experts can also help to spread your message to the right publications and outlets, ensuring you can stay on top of the problem.

In cases where your brand is irrevocably damaged, you could even consider working with a branding company on a ‘refresh’ or ‘rebrand.’ Just look at how Facebook managed to detach itself from the Cambridge Analytica scandal, by becoming ‘Meta’ instead.

Fixing a negative brand reputation isn’t easy. While it takes years to develop positive equity for a company, one or two simple mistakes can bring all your hard work crashing down.

Something as simple as a bad social media post or a supply chain issue can cost companies millions in marketing, lost revenue, and unhappy customers. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you might be with your marketing and sales strategy, there’s always a chance something could go wrong.

Last line

You might not be able to avoid negative attention forever, you can decide how you’re going to respond to it. Taking a proactive approach to preserving, protecting, and repairing your brand reputation is crucial in today’s fast-paced world. With the right approach, you can turn negative press into happy customers, and even increase brand loyalty.

Dr. Najeem Salaam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the Osun State election has faulted the alleged non-recognition of the party’s agents at wards in about 10 local government areas, describing the development as ‘worrisome and disturbing.’

Salaam, who spoke after casting his vote at Ward 4, Unit 13, Ejigbo, in Ejigbo Local Government Area, said the names of the party’s agents had been uploaded onto the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) platform.

He alleged that ADC agents in Ward 5, Ejigbo, were not issued tags despite the party having submitted their names, adding that a similar situation was reported in about 10 local government areas across the state.

Salaam said he might address the press again at the end of the election to give an update on the matter.

According to him, the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities, who he said were looking into it.

His words: ‘The report that my agents are not being recognised at most of the wards across the state is worrisome and disturbing.

‘Despite the fact that we uploaded all the names of our party agents, especially here in Ejigbo, the agents in Ward 5 for the ADC were not given tags. The same thing happened in about 10 local governments across the state.

‘I reported the matter to the relevant authorities, and they are looking into it. When the votes are being counted, it is necessary for my agents to be recognised at the polling units.

‘Apart from that, in Ejigbo Local Government, the process has been going on without any crisis for now. I want to believe it will remain peaceful until the end of the exercise.

‘As it stands, we cannot accept a situation where our party agents are not recognised. The importance of having party agents at the polling units cannot be oversee.

‘All the names were uploaded onto the INEC platform, so I don’t understand why we are now being denied the opportunity to have our party agents present.

‘Maybe towards the end of the election process, I will still address the press and let the people know how far we have gone with the matter.

‘What I’m saying is part of the preparation on the side of INEC. When you requested that the parties upload the names of their agents, we did so. I don’t understand how or why the party agents would not be given tags.

‘If there is a fair election, with no rigging or manipulation, and there is a level playing field, I trust my God that I’m going to win the election.

‘We engage with the people and let them know about our programmes. That is exactly what we do. Vote-buying is out of it. I have never in my life bought votes.

‘People should decide whom they want, and I think it should be fair enough for them to have the right to choose whom they prefer as a candidate or as the governor of the state.’

Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has commended security agencies for maintaining peace during the ongoing Osun State governorship election.

Oyetola and his wife cast their votes at Ward 1, Unit 10, in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of the state, at about 10:30 a.m.

Speaking after voting, the former governor of the state commended the military and police for their presence across the state, saying their deployment had helped to provide security and encourage voters to come out and exercise their franchise.

He described the turnout as impressive, noting that the election had remained peaceful.

‘Our state is known for peace. I don’t know why voting, which is a normal process, should create any issue at all,’ Oyetola said.

He also thanked voters for coming out in large numbers to participate in the election, saying the exercise provided an opportunity for them to determine the kind of government they wanted.

The minister said, ‘I’m impressed and I thank our people for coming out enmass to vote for their candidate, which I believe we are the candidate. This is a progressive state. And particularly I’m here, there is no reason why people should not come out.

‘We’ve actually enjoyed dividend of democracy all over the state and people are yearning for a change, sir the most appropriate thing is for them to turn out enmass and vote, so that they can have a way of confirming that this is the kind of government they want. It is a normal process of four years.

‘My candidate will win by the grace of God.’

Voting was disrupted at the polling unit of Najeem Salam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State on Saturday after suspected thugs invaded the centre and destroyed election materials.

Salam was whisked away from the scene for safety following the incident at Unit 13, Ward 4, where the candidate had gone to vote.

The disruption reportedly followed a confrontation involving some individuals at the polling unit before suspected thugs invaded the centre.

The situation escalated as the suspected thugs destroyed materials deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the election.

The incident sent voters fleeing from the polling unit for safety, bringing voting activities at the centre to a halt.

Ademola Adeleke, Osun Governor campaign council alleges calculated plots to declare the state’s ongoing governorship election inconclusive.

The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has raised an alarm over an alleged deliberate strategy by political opponents to force the Independent National Electoral Commission to declare the ongoing governorship election inconclusive.

According to statements issued by the Adeleke Campaign Council, opposition elements are actively attempting to subvert the democratic process after recognising their impending defeat at the polls. The council asserted that the governor maintains a clear lead based on figures gathered from polling units across the state’s 30 local government areas.

The campaign council noted that intelligence reports indicate widespread attempts to disrupt voting in areas considered strongholds of the incumbent governor. According to campaign officials, these actions are designed to trigger targeted cancellations that would artificially reduce the margin of victory below the threshold needed for a decisive outcome.

Furthermore, the team highlighted incidents of voter intimidation, technical hitches with voting hardware, and orchestrated delays in rural communities. Council representatives stated that these logistical bottlenecks are intended to disenfranchise registered voters and establish grounds for electoral disputes.

In light of these developments, the Adeleke camp has called on national electoral authorities and security agencies to uphold the integrity of the process. The council urged election officials to resist pressure from external parties seeking to manipulate collation processes or compromise local field officers.

The organisation reiterated that the electorate has clearly expressed its preference and cautioned against any administrative contrivance that seeks to undermine public confidence in the democratic system. Voters were advised to remain calm, stay vigilant at collation centres, and ensure their votes are accurately recorded.

Voters across Ilesa on Saturday turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the ongoing governorship election.

At Idi Iroko/Itakogun 2, Ward 1, Unit 8, Ilesa West, Ward 2, Unit 8, Egbe Idi Junction, Ilesa West and Unit 1, Ward 5, Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State, BusinessDay could see how voters trooped out as early as 7:15 am to participate in the voting process.

Morufu Ajayi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party agent at the unit, commended the voters for their early arrival and peaceful conduct and described the turnout as encouraging.

Ajayi also expressed satisfaction with the presence of agents of the various political parties at the polling unit, noting that their presence would help promote transparency in the electoral process.

As of the time of filing this report, all party agents were present at the polling unit, while voters continued to await the commencement and completion of the voting process.

For many women, wigs, braids and other hair extensions have become an easy way to change hairstyles, protect their hair or conceal areas where hair has begun to thin. But natural hair requires proper scalp care, regular moisturisation and gentle handling to prevent dryness, breakage and hair loss.

Agbeni Adeola, an instructor with Nature’s Gentle Touch, said during a natural hair workshop organised by Nature’s Gentle Touch recently, that the tightly curled structure of natural hair makes it difficult for natural oils from the scalp to travel along the hair shaft, leaving it prone to dryness, while improper handling can further expose it to breakage.

‘People that do back-to-back, they braid, they remove it, they put another one,’ Adeola said. ‘At the end of the day, their hair is already damaged.’

She explained that many women struggle with their natural hair because they have not been taught how to properly manage it, leading to common complaints like natural hair being too thick, difficult to manage, inability to retain length and limited styling options.

These challenges, she said, have contributed to some women losing confidence in wearing their natural hair.

The preference for extensions has also become a way for some women to avoid confronting underlying hair problems.

Adeola cited women with receding hairlines who use extensions to cover the affected areas. But when the extensions are repeatedly installed and removed, the additional strain can further damage the hair, creating a cycle in which women become increasingly dependent on extensions to conceal the damage.

She said the answer is not necessarily to abandon extensions but to first understand how to maintain healthy natural hair.

‘When it’s healthy and all that, definitely you want to flaunt it,’ Adeola said, noting that women are more likely to show off their hair when they are confident about its health and appearance.

Adeola said natural hair has a tightly curled structure and high density, which gives it the thick and full appearance associated with the texture.

She explained that natural hair can have different curl patterns, including 4A, 4B and 4C, depending on how tightly curled the strands are.

However, the same curl pattern that gives natural hair its texture also makes it more susceptible to dryness.

Adeola explained that natural oils produced by the scalp do not move easily along tightly curled hair strands. As a result, natural hair can become dry and dull and requires regular moisturising to maintain its condition.

She also explained that shrinkage can make natural hair appear much shorter than its actual length.

Because of its tight curls, natural hair contracts when dry and appears shorter. Stretching it reveals its actual length, meaning that what may appear to be poor length retention may sometimes be a result of shrinkage.

Adeola stressed that the thickness and fullness of natural hair also require gentle handling to reduce the risk of breakage and shedding.

But the condition of the hair itself is only part of the equation. Adeola said scalp health is the foundation of healthy hair growth.

She explained that hair grows from follicles in the scalp and that clogging or inflammation can affect how the follicles function, potentially resulting in weak growth, breakage and shedding.

Dandruff and other forms of scalp build-up can also interfere with healthy hair growth, she said.

Adeola said the broader objective should be to give women the knowledge and confidence to manage their natural hair themselves.

She said once women understand how to care for their hair and keep it healthy, they are more likely to wear it confidently instead of automatically turning to wigs and extensions.

The instructor also argued that professional hair treatment should be viewed as part of maintaining healthy hair rather than an unnecessary expense.

She said women who desire healthy, well-maintained hair should be willing to invest in its care, while noting that professional services can be affordable.

For women who repeatedly rely on extensions, the warning is that covering damaged hair does not address the underlying problem. Proper moisturisation, gentle handling and attention to the scalp remain central to maintaining healthy natural hair.