Mental health public policy receives emotional support as Lagos Speaker urges inter-sectoral collaboration to tackle Nigeria’s growing mental health crisis

The need for strong mental health public policy took centre stage at the Seventh Public Lecture of the Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), held Tuesday, July 2, 2025, at Festival Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.

Also read: Eid al-Adha: Speaker Obasa Calls for Compassion for the Needy, Urges Nigerians to Unite as One

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who chaired the event, passionately advocated for deeper inter-sectoral collaboration between lawmakers, institutions, and individuals in addressing Nigeria’s mental health crisis.

In his address, Obasa described mental health as a pressing concern that transcends health, affecting national development.

“We live in times where the mental health of individuals is increasingly becoming a matter of public concern because globally, there is a rising incidence of mental health disorders, and unfortunately, Nigeria is not exempted,” he said.

He praised the theme of the lecture, Mental Health: A Basic Human Right Crucial to Personal, Community, and Socio-Economic Development, as not only timely but globally urgent.

According to Obasa, mental health forms the foundation of human progress. “It is the bedrock upon which personal growth and achievements are built.

For our nation to thrive, we need citizens who are mentally sound and can contribute meaningfully to national development,” he noted.

Obasa stressed that mental health public policy must address the consequences of neglect. He said a nation burdened with mental illness faces reduced productivity, lower life quality, and rising healthcare pressure. Conversely, healthier minds lead to stable, growing communities.

He further urged that mental health must be integrated into Nigeria’s public health priorities. “As a nation, we must pay keen attention to mental health and integrate it into our public health policies,” he declared.

Highlighting his commitment, Obasa recalled the passage of the Lagos State Mental Health Service Law in 2018 during his first tenure as Speaker.

The law mandates patient protection, equitable access to treatment, and the integration of mental health into primary healthcare. It also stresses inter-agency collaboration and equal rights for mental health patients.

Yet, he expressed disappointment over a lack of synergy between lawmakers and professional groups. “We must advocate for policies that promote mental health care, combat stigma, and support initiatives to enhance mental well-being.

Together, we can ensure that mental health is recognized as a basic human right essential to personal, community, and socio-economic development,” he concluded.

Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who served as special guest, linked rising mental health issues to fake pharmaceuticals and substance abuse. He called for stronger public education and increased awareness.

“Mental health remains a neglected aspect of public health. More needs to be done by stakeholders like the PSN to drive education campaigns and foster community-based responses,” Marwa said.

Pharm. Uche Akpakama, chairman of the PSN’s Board of Fellows, reinforced the urgency. “It is documented that more than a quarter of the Nigerian population has mental health issues. These are worsened by poverty, internal displacement, insecurity, and unemployment,” he said.

Akpakama noted that the lecture aimed to examine the current mental health landscape and galvanise support among pharmacists and health professionals. He said he hoped it would also provide viable strategies for promotion and intervention.

Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, a consultant psychiatrist and keynote speaker, explained that it was no longer enough to acknowledge the problem.

“The drive now is to ensure mental health promotion and the prevention of mental health disorders in the general population, while also ensuring that persons with mental disorders are given the best attention to manage their health so that they can live their best lives despite their conditions,” she said.

Pharm. Gbenga Falabi, who led the organising committee, said the annual lecture remains a vital platform for awareness and reform.

“Today’s insights will enhance our understanding of mental health’s critical role in personal, community, and socio-economic development,” he affirmed.

Also read: Obasa Applauds Journalists Honoured for Democracy Contributions

Calls for an upgraded mental health public policy now echo beyond medical halls, with growing demands for coordinated national response, greater investments, and societal empathy.