AXA Mansard Health has urged organisations to treat employee wellbeing as a strategic investment that drives productivity and business growth, rather than a financial burden.

The company’s CEO, Mr. Tope Adeniyi, made the call during a breakfast meeting with senior HR and business leaders in Lagos, highlighting the rising cost of healthcare and its impact on workforce performance.

“Every business leader knows the pressure of cost containment,” Adeniyi said. “But companies that view wellbeing as a performance driver—not a cost centre—are the ones that thrive. Cutting health budgets to save money often backfires; stressed or unwell employees may be physically present but mentally absent.”

Data from AXA Mansard Health show a direct link between proactive employee wellness investment and reduced claims costs per employee. Adeniyi stressed that supporting staff health is sound business strategy, not merely corporate social responsibility.

At the session, executives discussed embedding wellbeing into leadership culture, noting that leaders who model healthy practices foster loyalty and productivity.

AXA Mansard Health also showcased its wellness platform, offering employees access to over 2,000 hospitals nationwide, telemedicine consultations, health education programmes, and lifestyle management tools. By focusing on preventive care, the platform helps organisations reduce costs while improving health outcomes.

Reaffirming its commitment, Adeniyi said AXA Mansard Health will continue partnering with employers to tackle rising healthcare costs while enhancing workforce performance through data-driven insights and practical wellness solutions.