Five years after its range of products first appeared in the Nigerian market, Riza Natural Oils and Remedies is set to open its store on March 10, 2024.

Since they came onto the market in 2019, the Riza natural oils products, mostly essential oils for hair care, skincare and wellness, have been sold online and in reputable pharmaceutical outlets and supermarkets.

Explaining the rationale behind the impending opening of the Riza store, the company’s CEO, Adetola Okubanjo, said: “Our customers prompted us to have a store. As our range of products and customer base grew, we were getting many questions about a touch point or location where potential customers could visit to feel our products before making a purchase decision.”

While its products are being sold at Medplus Pharmacy nationwide, and in Ebeano Supermarket, KLS Salon, Turning Heads Salon and Renee Supermarket, having its own store will enable the brand Riza Natural Oils and Remedies to provide personalised customer service, offer in-store educational resources, and partner with local wellness practitioners to create a holistic experience for customers.

“We felt we were never going to get “that” scale unless we were able to reach out and touch people and allow people to experience the true nature of Riza, so we decided to establish a physical aromatherapy store as a go-to destination for wellness enthusiasts,” she asserted.

According to Okubanjo, the new store, which will be located at Unit 7, Ile-oja Mall, Plot 1695, Sanusi Fafunwa Victoria Island, Lagos State, will “offer a wide range of high-quality and diverse aromatic products” and will be a one-stop shop for essential oils, hair and skin care products, diffusers, candles, and bath products, amongst others.
“It will be a sensory centre where customers will have a comprehensive shopping experience, where they can create their own unique essential oil blends for specific needs, thus establishing a loyal customer base,” she added.

Despite the economic downturn in the country, where the purchasing power of most Nigerians has been extremely reduced, the Riza Oil CEO is optimistic that sales of the Riza range of products will not be affected.
“Our products are affordable to customers who are willing to pay a premium for natural, free from harmful chemicals products that possess therapeutic benefits. We source our raw materials and products from reputable suppliers both in Nigeria and all over the world, ensuring they are of high quality and standards,” she explained.

She further avowed: “Despite the economic challenges in Nigeria, we’ve navigated through them by adapting our strategies. We’ve focused on operational efficiency, managed expenses prudently, and expanded our market reach.”

Okubanjo, an essential oil specialist and seasoned aromatherapist, is also optimistic that the aromatherapy sector of the Nigerian beauty industry has the potential to grow into a multi-billion dollar sector.

Said she: “The aromatherapy industry is experiencing growth all over the world and Nigerians are gradually becoming aware of it. There is presently an increasingly high demand for natural products for healing and soothing, and yet, up to 80 per cent of the Nigerian population is unaware of the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. So, there will continuously be a boom as more people become aware that aromatic essential oils are used to promote the health of the body, mind, and spirit as well as enhance both physical and mental well-being.”

She also added: “This industry can grow in the next five to 10 years by getting many wellness professionals, including spa therapists, massage therapists and gym instructors, to use single or blended essential oils for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, pain, agitation, and stress.”