Mental health policy reform gains momentum as Speaker Obasa urges unified action at PSN lecture to address Nigeria’s worsening mental health crisis

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ental health policy reform is receiving renewed urgency following a powerful appeal from the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

Also read: Obasa leadership decade milestone celebrated by Lagos Assembly

Speaking at the Seventh Public Lecture of the Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), held on 2 July 2025 at Festival Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, Obasa called for a national, unified effort to confront Nigeria’s mental health crisis.

Delivering his remarks as chairman of the event, Obasa described the theme Mental Health: A Basic Human Right Crucial to Personal, Community, and Socio-Economic Development as timely and critically important.

He emphasised that mental health policy reform is no longer optional but vital to the nation’s growth.

“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,” Obasa said.

According to the Speaker, mental health must be understood as foundational to both individual success and national 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 said.

He highlighted the economic burden of poor mental health on Nigeria, saying it undermines productivity, reduces life quality, and drains public resources.

Obasa added that a mentally unwell community stagnates rather than progresses, warning that without mental health policy reform, national stability is at risk.

He also emphasised collective responsibility, urging institutions, lawmakers, and citizens to integrate mental health into broader development goals.

“As a nation, we must pay keen attention to mental health and integrate it into our public health policies,” he said.

Obasa recalled that his personal commitment to mental health policy reform led to the enactment of the Lagos State Mental Health Service Law in 2018.

The law guarantees equal rights for those with mental conditions, mandates treatment access close to patients’ homes, and integrates mental health care into primary services. It also fosters collaboration across sectors.

However, he expressed concern over limited cooperation between lawmakers and professional bodies such as the PSN.

“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 recognised as a basic human right essential to personal, community, and socio-economic development,” he concluded.

Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said the nation’s mental health decline is closely linked to fake drugs and drug abuse.

He described the issue as widely ignored and urged the PSN to expand awareness campaigns across the country.

Pharm. Uche Akpakama, chairman of the PSN Board of Fellows, stated, “It is documented that more than a quarter of the Nigerian population has mental health issues, exacerbated by the current socio-economic situations, including extreme poverty, internal displacement, insecurity, and unemployment.”

He said he hoped the event would spotlight reforms that empower professionals and communities alike.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, a consultant psychiatrist and CEO of Redi-Med Consulting. She stressed the need to prioritise both prevention and care.

“The drive now is to ensure mental health promotion and the prevention of mental health disorders in the general population,” she said, noting that support for people already affected must also improve.

Pharm. Gbenga Falabi, chairman of the planning committee, praised the annual lecture for elevating the national conversation.