The Nigerian government has underscored the critical link between youth mental health and national development, warning that untreated psychological issues among young people severely hamper societal progress. This concern was central to a recent Policy Dialogue on Youth and Teen Mental Wellness held in Abuja.
Chukwuma Ugwoke, Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Health, Mental and Psychosocial Development at the Ministry of Youth Development, stated that the government must prioritise the mental well-being of its youth. He clarified that mental health challenges extend far beyond severe, visible conditions, noting that issues like anxiety and depression can also impede positive contributions to society. “A mentally deranged youth… cannot behave well in any society,” Ugwoke said, adding that the Ministry is working to develop concrete policies from such dialogues to present to the National Assembly. He cited World Health Organization data indicating one in eight people globally lives with a mental health issue, and one in seven adolescents is affected, stressing the need for early education to destigmatise the condition and prevent outcomes like suicide.
The discussion also highlighted a primary driver of mental health disorders. Ndubuisi Agabus, Assistant Director for Drug Prevention and Sensitization at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), explained that substance abuse often both stems from and exacerbates mental health problems. He described a progression where individuals self-medicate for issues like stress, leading to addiction, which then requires more intensive rehabilitation. Agabus noted a critical shortage of specialists, revealing that approximately 250 psychiatrists serve over 80% of Nigeria’s mental health patients, creating a vast treatment gap. “We need more people to be trained,” he emphasized, suggesting community-based approaches like sports could help mitigate isolation.
Rosemary Ochiwu, Founder of the Initiative for Self Esteem Education and Advocacy, called for a shift from mere awareness to structured action. “Mental health lives in our homes, our schools, our workplaces,” she said, advocating for integrated systems and formal policies rather than isolated efforts.
The dialogue concluded that addressing youth mental wellness is not merely a health issue but a foundational requirement for sustainable development. The consensus pointed toward developing comprehensive national policies, expanding the workforce of trained counsellors and psychiatrists, and implementing school-based programmes to build resilience and reduce stigma.
