By Adeyinka Adeniran
Stakeholders in the field of mental health have said Nigeria is at a crossroads in its mental health journey, urging the government and citizens to transition from stigma and silence to innovation, inclusion, and community-based care.
To change the narrative, the stakeholders identified priority areas which must get urgent and immediate attention of both the govenrment and its citizens.
They made the call at the Third International Mental Health Conference and the sixth Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) competition organised by the Asido Foundation.
The two days event at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan on Wednesday and Thursday had in attendance mental health expert, researchers, students, policy makers, industry lead, government officials, scholars, non Governmental organisations, among others.
According to the stakeholders, the top priority areas deserving quick intervention including: full integration of mental health services across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare; training non-specialists to identify and refer cases early; addressing stigma and promoting community-based care and increasing funding and resource allocation for mental health services.
They agreed that Nigeria must act now to address its mental health crisis and move from silence to systems that support and care for those affected.
Leading the call, health-law expert, Professor Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, reiterated that Nigeria is at a “defining moment” in its mental health journey and must transition from stigma and silence to innovation, inclusion and community-based care.
He warned that mental health has remained underfunded, misunderstood and neglected for decades.
Represented by Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, she noted that while one in four people globally will experience a mental health condition, Nigeria has fewer than 300 psychiatrists serving more than 200 million people, creating a wide treatment gap.
Onyemelukwe, a Professor of Law at Babcock University, added that less than five per cent of the national health budget is allocated to mental health, with most of the funds concentrated in a few urban specialist facilities.
She described the 2023 Mental Health Act as a major milestone but stressed that legislation alone would not transform the system without sustained implementation, adequate funding and strong public engagement.
In her remarks, Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to integrating mental health services into primary healthcare.
She said mental health is central to public health, productivity and national development, noting that depression, anxiety and substance-use disorders affect millions of Nigerians while access to care remains limited.
According to her, Oyo State has institutionalised mental health services across all levels of care, including the establishment of mental health units in health facilities and dedicated desks at the Ministry of Health and in all 33 local government areas.
The approach, she said, promotes early identification, community-based care and reduced treatment gaps in line with global best practices.
Ajetunmobi identified priority areas for Nigeria’s mental health future, including full integration of services across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare, as well as training non-specialists to identify and refer cases early.
She also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring that no resident is denied care because of stigma, poverty or lack of access.
The Chairman of the event, Mr Jide Odusolu, urged Nigerians to confront stigma and support people living with mental health conditions, describing the issue as a “silent killer” many are still reluctant to discuss.
He criticised cultural and religious misconceptions that label people with mental health challenges as cursed or weak, noting that such beliefs discourage help-seeking.
Odusolu also highlighted the link between stigma and substance use, explaining that many people turn to drugs as a coping mechanism for emotional distress rather than as a moral failing.
He said, “Most people who use drugs are trying to forget what they are going through. They need help, not condemnation.”
He commended the Oyo state government for establishing mental health units in primary healthcare centres and urged other states to adopt similar measures to expand access to professional support.
Chief Operating Officer of the Asido Foundation, Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, said the organisation has reached thousands of Nigerians through advocacy, training and community interventions aimed at reducing stigma and improving access to care.
She explained that the foundation, established in 2019, focuses on combating ignorance, shame and discrimination while promoting evidence-based information and human rights.
Abiri noted that although tens of millions of Nigerians are affected by mental health conditions, cultural and religious misconceptions continue to fuel abuse, neglect and denial of care.
She identified key challenges, including limited funding, a shortage of mental health professionals and the need for full implementation of mental health laws and policies.
She called for stronger integration of mental health into primary healthcare and other programmes such as HIV, cancer and reproductive health services, while urging individuals, organisations and policymakers to support advocacy through volunteering, partnerships and funding.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to winners of the JAME essay competition and investiture of deserving individuals as Ambassadors
