The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has raised concerns over the acute shortage of mental health practitioners in the country, revealing that fewer than 200 psychiatrists are available to address the mental health needs of over 200 million Nigerians.
Speaking at the 55th Annual General Conference and Scientific Meeting of the association in Ilorin, the APN President, Prof. Taiwo Obindo, attributed the crisis to the growing wave of emigration among professionals, popularly referred to as the “japa syndrome.”
“These tides need to be stemmed and reversed as the remaining mental health practitioners are overworked and poorly remunerated,” Prof. Obindo stated.
The conference, themed “Prioritizing Mental Health Needs of Nigeria in a Depressed Economy: An Urgent Call for Integrated, Comprehensive, and Sustainable Interventions,” underscored the dire state of mental health care in Nigeria. Prof. Obindo criticized the government’s neglect of the sector, highlighting that mental health remains a sub-program under the Department of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health.
He also lamented Nigeria’s health budget allocation, which stands at less than 6%, falling far below the 15% target set in the Abuja Declaration of 2001.
“Mental health needs to be prioritized. For example, Canada has a functional Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, a model Nigeria could emulate,” he added, calling for the implementation of the Mental Health Act of 2021 to replace the outdated Lunacy Act of 1958.
In a lecture, Prof. Owoidoho Udofia of the University of Calabar revealed that 12% of Nigerians suffer from mental and behavioral disorders, often compounded by cultural beliefs and somatic symptoms that hinder proper diagnosis by general practitioners.
“There is a need to improve diagnosis and research, as mental illnesses are often misunderstood and under-identified in our hospitals. Substance use is also on the rise,” he said.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, represented by Dr. Musiliu Odunaiya, called for intensified awareness campaigns to tackle the stigma associated with mental health issues. She described the conference theme as a crucial conversation for the nation’s progress.
Earlier, Prof. Peter Ajiboye, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, emphasized the need for locally tailored solutions to Nigeria’s mental health challenges.
The conference concluded with calls for increased investment, public awareness, and integrated interventions to combat Nigeria’s escalating mental health crisis.
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APN Raises Alarm Over Mental Health Crisis in Nigeria, Highlights Shortage of Psychiatrists
The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has expressed deep concern over the acute shortage of mental health professionals in the country, revealing that fewer than 200 psychiatrists are available to cater to the needs of over 200 million Nigerians.
Speaking at the 55th Annual General Conference and Scientific Meeting of the association in Ilorin, the APN President, Prof. Taiwo Obindo, attributed the dire situation to the ongoing “japa syndrome,” which has seen many mental health practitioners emigrate in search of better opportunities.
“These tides need to be stemmed and reversed as the remaining mental health practitioners are overworked and poorly remunerated,” Obindo said.
The conference, themed “Prioritizing Mental Health Needs of Nigeria in a Depressed Economy: An Urgent Call for Integrated, Comprehensive, and Sustainable Interventions,” highlighted the critical state of mental health care in the country. Prof. Obindo criticized the government’s minimal attention to the sector, noting that mental health remains a sub-program under the Department of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health.
He further lamented Nigeria’s inadequate health budget allocation, which is less than 6%, far below the 15% benchmark set in the Abuja Declaration of 2001. “Mental health needs to be prioritized. For example, Canada has a functional Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, a model Nigeria could emulate,” Obindo suggested.
He also underscored the importance of implementing the Mental Health Act of 2021, which replaced the outdated Lunacy Act of 1958 after over three decades of advocacy.
In his keynote lecture, Prof. Owoidoho Udofia of the University of Calabar disclosed that 12% of Nigerians suffer from mental and behavioral disorders. He noted that cultural factors and somatic symptoms often hinder accurate diagnoses by general practitioners. “There is a need to improve diagnosis and research, as mental illnesses are often misunderstood and under-identified in our hospitals. Substance use is also on the rise,” he warned.
Dr. Amina El-Imam, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, represented by Dr. Musiliu Odunaiya, called for more awareness campaigns to combat the stigma surrounding mental health issues. She described the conference theme as pivotal to Nigeria’s progress.
Similarly, Prof. Peter Ajiboye, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, emphasized the need for customized mental health solutions to tackle the unique challenges facing Nigeria.
The APN’s conference served as a clarion call for urgent investment, increased awareness, and integrated interventions to address Nigeria’s escalating mental health crisis.
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