A recent investigation by Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has exposed a growing national emergency in Nigeria’s mental health sector, revealing that one in every five Nigerians lives with a mental health condition, yet over 80% receive no form of treatment.
The report paints a grim picture of neglect, stigma, and systemic failure within a country that has fewer than 300 psychiatrists serving more than 200 million citizens — roughly one psychiatrist per 700,000 people.
A Crisis Hidden in Silence
Mental illness in Nigeria remains a taboo subject, often dismissed as spiritual or moral weakness. Behind that stigma lies widespread suffering — from depression and anxiety to untreated trauma and addiction.
FIJ’s report documents the rising costs of treatment: a psychiatric consultation now averages ₦30,000 per session, therapy sessions range from ₦20,000 to ₦35,000, and monthly medication can cost over ₦150,000.
For millions surviving on less than the national minimum wage of ₦70,000, access to care is nearly impossible.
Economic Pressure Deepens the Emergency
The nation’s economic downturn has worsened the crisis. Inflation and currency depreciation have driven up drug prices, forcing mental health facilities to increase service costs to stay operational.
The consequence is a silent epidemic — with untreated mental illness leading to homelessness, addiction, and rising suicide rates.
Gaps in Policy and Implementation
Although Nigeria passed the Mental Health Act (2023) to replace the colonial-era Lunacy Laws, implementation remains slow. The Act promises to integrate mental health services into all levels of healthcare and protect patient rights, but political will and funding remain inadequate.
Health experts argue that without sustained financing, trained professionals, and reliable medication supply chains, the Act risks becoming “another well-written but poorly executed policy.”
The Human Cost
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 40 million Nigerians suffer from mental health disorders — a number comparable to those living with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis combined.
The report highlights that untreated psychological distress often stems from poverty, unemployment, insecurity, displacement, and gender inequality — conditions that continue to worsen under Nigeria’s fragile socio-economic climate.
Call for National Response
Mental health advocates urge the government to:
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Implement subsidized drug access programmes akin to HIV treatment models.
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Train primary health workers to manage common mental health conditions.
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Launch nationwide awareness campaigns to combat stigma.
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Partner with local pharmaceutical firms for affordable medication production.
The silence around mental health, experts warn, has become deadly.
“Mental illness in Nigeria is not just a medical issue — it is a national security and development concern,”
— Health Policy Analyst, Lagos.
DefenceTimesNG Analysis
Nigeria’s escalating mental health crisis is more than a public health emergency; it is a reflection of systemic inequality and governance failure. The absence of affordable treatment, combined with cultural stigma and economic despair, threatens to erode national productivity and social stability.
Without urgent investment and coordinated national action, the country risks losing a generation to preventable psychological decline.
Reporting by: Ndi Kato
Sources: Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), WHO, Nigeria Health Watch, NAFDAC.
