A consultant psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on substance abuse in Nigeria. Dr. Abayomi Oluseyi Olajide made the call during the Mental Health Awareness Walk Rally organised by the Association of Resident Doctors and Edijalo Health Services LTD. He cited the high occupancy rate of bed spaces in psychiatric hospitals due to substance use disorder.
According to Dr. Olajide, 90 percent of bed spaces in psychiatric hospitals, both private and public, are currently occupied by patients with substance use disorder. He noted that the situation has become alarming, with secondary school students, commercial drivers, and even females increasingly involved in drug abuse. The psychiatrist described the rising mental health crisis in the country as an epidemic fueled by economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity, kidnapping, and poverty.
Dr. Olajide emphasized that tackling the menace requires a multi-pronged approach, including drug prevention programmes in schools and support groups for those experimenting with drugs. He also called for full rehabilitation and reintegration for addicts. The psychiatrist lamented that less than 10 percent of Nigerians with mental health challenges have access to care, with most treatment paid out-of-pocket as health insurance does not adequately cover mental health.
The Acting Provost and Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dr. Sunday Amosun, identified poor sleep as the earliest sign of mental health problems. He urged Nigerians to seek medical help when experiencing persistent sleep disturbances, racing thoughts, or hearing voices. Dr. Amosun also noted that the trend of drug abuse has worsened, with young people exposed to illicit substances such as synthetic cannabis and amphetamine-type substances.
Dr. Amosun attributed Nigeria's position as a drug transit route to the exposure of young people to illicit substances. He called for collective action from parents, families, religious bodies, NGOs, and government to address the issue. The Medical Director also explained that while some people may be predisposed to mental illness due to family history, economic hardship, job loss, stigma, and social isolation often serve as precipitating and perpetuating factors.
The president of the Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Chidi Ikwumezie, disclosed that the second phase of the mental health awareness campaign will be a free medical outreach on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The outreach will feature physical and mental health screenings, consultations, counselling, health education, free medications, and referrals. The event will take place at Ita-Oshin Motor Park, a busy community space.
The Mental Health Awareness Walk Rally and free medical outreach aim to raise awareness about mental health and provide healthcare services to the community. The events are part of the efforts to mark the 2026 World Mental Health Day. Key stakeholders, including government officials, healthcare professionals, and community leaders, are expected to participate in the events.
Key points
- Dr. Abayomi Oluseyi Olajide urges government to declare state of emergency on substance abuse in Nigeria.
- 90 percent of bed spaces in psychiatric hospitals occupied by patients with substance use disorder.
- Mental health crisis in Nigeria attributed to economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity, kidnapping, and poverty.
