1 in 5 Nigerians Battling Mental Health Crisis, Experts Seek Urgent National Action

Medical experts have raised alarm that one in every five Nigerians is living with a mental health challenge, calling for urgent, coordinated action to tackle the growing crisis.

Speaking at the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) National Executive Council Meeting and Scientific Conference in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, themed “Mental Health and Well-being of Women Across the Life Course,” the experts stressed the need for a multi-sectoral response involving government, education, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, communities, and digital technology.

The National President of MWAN, Dr. Zainab Muhammad-Idris, alongside a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Ilorin, Professor Mosunmola Tunde-Ayinmode, said rising substance abuse, economic hardship, and socio-cultural factors have worsened the nation’s mental health burden.

The experts lamented the shortage of mental health professionals, revealing that fewer than 250 psychiatrists are actively practicing in Nigeria despite a population exceeding 220 million. They advocated integrating mental health services into primary healthcare while urging government to prioritize policies that promote mental well-being.

Professor Tunde-Ayinmode added that Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents an opportunity to bridge healthcare gaps by improving access to mental health support, particularly in underserved communities.

The conference concluded with a call for stronger partnerships, policy reforms, and expanded community-based interventions to ensure mental health becomes a central component of national health and development programmes.