Music, games and candlelit dinners replaced lectures as Closeup’s Valentine campus tour turned UNILAG and DELSU into celebration grounds for 50 student couples.

Closeup says it is expanding its Valentine campus experience to more Nigerian universities after hosting what it described as a “memorable” event at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Delta State University (DELSU).

The oral care brand brought 25 couples together at each campus for its “Be My Val Party”, a Valentine-themed event focused on connection and confidence among young Nigerians.

The next stops, organisers say, include Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and University of Jos (UNIJOS).

What happened on campus

At UNILAG’s Akoka campus, the event featured music performances, interactive games and a curated dinner setting.

Brand representatives said the initiative was designed to promote “real connections and bold confidence” among students.

Popular content creators including Oceanvibes, Rukkaya, Therealjudy, Shank, Vagimedee, Harmonihie, Feeiziey, Bigdave and Julie hosted special dinner moments and conversations with couples.

At DELSU’s Abraka campus, organisers described the atmosphere as energetic and expressive.

Students participated in dance sessions, games and group activities, with many sharing photos and short videos on social media.

Across both campuses, the campaign message was clear: “Closer Is Better.”

Why it matters

University campuses have increasingly become marketing grounds for youth-focused brands seeking to connect directly with Gen Z consumers.

Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in Africa, and brands are investing more in experiential marketing rather than traditional advertising.

Social media engagement also played a role, with students encouraged to follow @closeupnigeria, tag their partners and nominate their campuses for upcoming editions.

What’s next

Closeup says the Be My Val Party will continue at UNIZIK, UNIPORT and UNIJOS in the coming weeks.

Students interested in participating are asked to follow the brand’s social media pages, tag their Valentine and explain why they should be selected.

Organisers say the goal is to reach more campuses nationwide.

A Nigerian couple will enjoy a live celebrity performance at their wedding this Valentine’s Day after emerging winners of the Wema Bank Valentine campaign.

The bank announced on Thursday that Rita Ndukwe and Jemil Adama will receive the surprise performance at their wedding on 14 February 2026.

The initiative forms part of Wema Bank’s Valentine campaign themed “Evolution of Love, Powered by Wema Bank”, launched earlier this month.

Why it matters

Valentine-themed corporate campaigns have become increasingly competitive in Nigeria’s banking industry, as lenders seek stronger emotional connections with customers.

Wema Bank linked this year’s promotion to the recent upgrade of its digital banking platform, the ALAT App, tagged “ALAT: The Evolution”.

The campaign invited singles, friends, couples and married partners to post one-minute videos sharing how their love stories have evolved over time.

At 3 p.m. on 12 February, the bank revealed the winning couple who would receive what it described as the “ultimate love experience”.

A statement from the bank said the campaign was inspired by “the journey of love across self-love, friendship, romantic relationships and marriage”.

Public reaction

Online, anticipation has centred on which celebrity artiste will perform at the wedding.

Social media platforms have seen growing engagement as users speculate about the surprise act.

The bank said updates would continue via its verified handles, encouraging followers to use the hashtag #ALATEvolutionOfLove.

Corporate statement

In its announcement, the bank described the initiative as celebrating love in its evolving forms.

“Evolution Of Love, Powered by Wema Bank” called on singles, friends, lovers, and married couples to post a 1-minute video sharing their love journey and how it has evolved over the years,” the statement said.

The bank added that the winning couple would receive “a celebrity artiste performance live at their wedding on February 14th.”

What’s next

The identity of the performing artiste is expected to be revealed ahead of the Valentine ceremony.

For the couple, the prize transforms a private milestone into a nationally followed event.

For Wema Bank, it is another attempt to position its digital banking platform as part of customers’ everyday life moments.

The Lagos launch of How Depression Saved My Life, a new memoir by award-winning filmmaker and media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, turned into a deeply emotional public reckoning with depression, vulnerability, and healing.

Held on 29 January, the event brought together cultural leaders, creatives, and public figures, many of whom shared personal reflections on mental health in a country where such conversations are often avoided.

One of the most striking moments came when media icon Betty Irabor broke down in tears, visibly moved by the honesty of the discussions and the memories the book stirred.

A memoir shaped by pain and healing

How Depression Saved My Life, now an Amazon Top 100 Bestseller, details Jideonwo’s personal experience with clinical depression and how it reshaped his understanding of faith, success, ambition, and joy.

The book challenges the idea that emotional struggle is a weakness, instead presenting vulnerability as a source of strength and clarity.

Throughout the evening, speakers returned to a central message of the memoir: that healing often begins when people stop performing happiness and start telling the truth.

Industry and public reactions

Prominent guests, including Funke Akindele, Shaffy Bello, MI Abaga, and Professor Pat Utomi, listened, reflected, and shared moments of silence that underscored the gravity of the subject.

Former Nigerian Bar Association president Olumide Akpata called for deeper and more sustained conversations around mental health, stressing that silence continues to cost lives and relationships.

Audience members also shared personal stories, with many describing how the book mirrored struggles they had never previously voiced.

Beyond a book launch

As copies were signed, readers lingered to talk, not about fame or success, but about grief, burnout, faith, and recovery.

Mental health advocates say the response shows a growing appetite for honest dialogue, especially among young Nigerians navigating economic pressure, social expectations, and identity.

Experts note that public storytelling by influential figures can help normalise seeking help and reduce stigma around depression.

What’s next

How Depression Saved My Life is being positioned not just as a memoir, but as a social intervention, opening space for conversations Nigeria urgently needs.

The book is now available in bookstores nationwide, as well as on Amazon and Kindle. Copies can also be purchased via book.withchude.com.