Over 70% of Nigerians with mental illness lack access to treatment – Expert

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Chief Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Akure, Dr Sunday Sajo, has expressed concern that more than 70 per cent of Nigerians living with mental health challenges have no access to medical care.

Sajo stated this during the 2025 World Mental Health Day celebration in Akure.

The event, themed “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”, was organised by the Ondo State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Neuropsychiatric Hospital.

He described the situation as alarming, lamenting that mental health was not given the same attention as physical health.

He said insecurity, terrorism, and kidnapping had worsened mental health conditions across the country.

Sajo noted that victims of such crimes often received food and material support but little or no psychological care.

The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Stephen Fagbemi, commended the Neuropsychiatric Hospital for its efforts and lauded the state’s health insurance commission for including mental health coverage.

Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in the state, Mrs Yetunde Jeyfous, urged people to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek help when needed.