Vanguard summit: Experts seek answers over implementation failure of Mental Health Act

By Sola Charles 

Nearly four years after Nigeria signed its Mental Health Act into law, experts have challenged the government to account for delays in implementation, inadequate funding and persistent barriers to treatment, warning that young Nigerians cannot benefit from legal protections that have yet to translate into accessible care.

The challenge came at the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit, held on October 9, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, where specialists called for stronger community services, mental health support in schools and clear evidence that public commitments are producing results.

With the theme, “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,” and sub-theme, “Mental Health in a Digital Age: Navigating Social Media, Technology and Wellbeing,” the meeting examined both the pressures confronting young people and the institutions responsible for responding to them.

Held ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, whose 2026 theme was “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” the summit stressed that people affected by mental health conditions must help shape policies and services.

A law, but where is the delivery?

Dr Veronica Oluyemisi Nyamali, president of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, called for the establishment of mental health structures provided for under the Act, sustained funding, integration of mental healthcare into primary healthcare and trained mental health focal persons in schools.

Signed into law in January 2023, the Act replaced the colonial-era Lunacy Act of 1958 with a rights-based framework for mental healthcare. Its success, experts argued, must be measured by improved access to treatment, not simply by the existence of legislation.

Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh called for stronger community mental healthcare and greater attention to the social conditions that contribute to psychological distress. He said Nigeria needed what he described as “psychological infrastructure” to support wellbeing beyond hospital settings.

Digital risks, real responsibilities

The digital-age discussion examined the effects of cyberbullying, online exploitation, misinformation, social comparison, body-image pressures and sleep disruption on young people.

Professor Mashudat Abiola Bello-Mojeed highlighted the need for parents, schools and technology companies to respond more effectively to online risks. Young people experiencing distress also need accessible counselling and referral services.

A panel session, “Who Takes Responsibility for Young People’s Mental Health?” examined the roles of government, schools, families, healthcare providers and technology companies.

The Nigerian Medical Association called for funding of the Mental Health Act, the National Mental Health Policy and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework. Its position was presented by Professor Olayinka Atilola on behalf of its president, Professor Afekhide Ernest Omoti. The association also advocated counselling and referral systems in schools and universities.

Its message, “Listen before you label,” urged people to recognise distress rather than dismiss it as indiscipline or attention-seeking.

From promises to measurable results

The central accountability question is whether government can demonstrate that the Act is being implemented.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare should publish a time-bound implementation plan identifying responsible agencies, funding commitments, milestones and progress. Reports should distinguish between money budgeted, funds released and money spent, while explaining delays and corrective steps.

The National Assembly’s health committees should use budget scrutiny and public hearings to demand answers from federal agencies. State assemblies should similarly require their health ministries to report on mental health spending and services. State-by-state data on trained personnel, primary healthcare provision, essential medicines and school counselling would help citizens identify gaps and assess progress.

People with lived experience and civil society groups should also be able to assess whether policies are improving care. Accountability must be measured by results for patients and families, not the number of meetings held or commitments announced.

The summit also addressed substance use and suicide prevention. Dr Daniel Ikpechukwu advocated treatment, rehabilitation and recovery for young people affected by substance use, while Sheikh called for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide. Dr Olufemi Oluwatayo discussed transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, as a psychiatric treatment option.

These interventions can make a difference only if people can access appropriate care. In keeping with the World Mental Health Day call for “real voices, real change,” people with lived experience must help shape services and assess whether they meet real needs.

Nigeria has enacted the law. Government must now show where the money has gone, what services have been delivered and what will change where implementation has stalled. Without transparent reporting and sustained scrutiny, the Act risks remaining a promise rather than a protection.

64,500 Nigerians died from antimicrobial resistance -- Pate

As 264,300 other deaths linked to drug resistant infections

By Admin

An estimated 64,500 Nigerians died from causes directly attributable to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019, while another 263,400 deaths were associated with drug resistant infections, raising concerns about the country's capacity to contain infections that no longer respond to treatment.

The figures, based on estimates published in The Lancet, were highlighted by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who described AMR as a “hidden pandemic” and acknowledged gaps in Nigeria's surveillance systems.

Pate spoke on Monday at a joint ministerial briefing in Abuja ahead of the fifth Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, scheduled for December 6 to 8. Nigeria will host the conference for the first time on African soil.

The challenge, he said, is already evident in hospitals, where patients with infections such as pneumonia may fail to respond to multiple antibiotics, prolonging illness and increasing the risk of complications or death.

“In some places, without proper knowledge of the sensitivity to the antimicrobial being used, individuals may suffer much longer than they should, and some may have complications or lose their lives,” he said.

Pate admitted that weaknesses in surveillance made it difficult to establish the full extent of AMR in Nigeria, underscoring the need for better diagnosis, infection prevention and responsible use of antibiotics.

The government, he said, is strengthening antimicrobial stewardship in federal hospitals, expanding diagnostic capacity and tightening regulation to curb counterfeit and substandard medicines. It is also seeking to increase local production of quality antimicrobials.

But Pate warned that inappropriate antibiotic use in livestock production could accelerate resistance and threaten human health, while agriculture, water, waste and other environmental systems contribute to its spread.

The ministers of health, agriculture, livestock development and environment are therefore pursuing a joint One Health approach, with plans for a coordination mechanism to continue beyond the December conference.

The meeting is expected to produce the proposed Abuja Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance, backed by a tracking mechanism intended to measure progress and translate international commitments into practical action.

Globally, bacterial AMR was directly responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019, while 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial resistance. Without effective intervention, more than 39 million deaths could be directly attributable to AMR worldwide between 2025 and 2050, the ministerial statement warned.

For Nigeria, the December conference presents an opportunity to move beyond declarations towards stronger surveillance, better antimicrobial use and measurable improvements in the prevention and treatment of resistant infections.

The conference theme is “One Health: Advancing Global AMR Commitments to Local Action.”

Invest more in girls’ health, end child marriage, Ondo NRHJN tasks FG, states

Calls for better menstrual hygiene, adolescent-friendly healthcare, protection against sexual abuse

By Admin

The Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN), Ondo State chapter, has called on governments and  stakeholders at all levels to increase investment in girls’ health, education and reproductive rights, warning that child marriage, sexual abuse and poor access to healthcare continue to threaten their future.

The network made the call to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, with the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls Rights.”

In a statement signed by its State Coordinator, Fatima Muraina, and Secretary, Dupe Isename, the Network urged government officials, parents, traditional and religious leaders, healthcare providers and civil society organisations to work together to protect girls from harmful practices and ensure access to essential health services.

The group expressed concern that many girls still face barriers to reproductive health information, menstrual hygiene support and adequate nutrition, alongside gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, early and forced marriage, and teenage pregnancy.

The Network observed that these challenges expose girls to serious health risks, disrupt their education and limit their social and economic opportunities.

It called for comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education to equip girls with accurate information on puberty, menstrual health, consent, bodily autonomy, personal safety and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

The statement reads: "The Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria , NRHJN  calls on the government, parents, community leaders, healthcare providers and other stakeholders to prioritise the health, safety and reproductive well-being of the girl child.

"This is to mark the 2026  International Day of the Girl Child with the theme -  "End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls Rights " declared by the United Nations and observed every October 11.

"Every girl deserves access to quality healthcare, accurate and age-appropriate health information, adequate nutrition and a safe environment to grow and realise her full potential. NRHJN supports protecting the health and reproductive well-being of girls essential to their personal development and the overall progress of society.

"The Network is concerned that many girls continued to face challenges, including limited access to reproductive health information, inadequate menstrual health and hygiene support, gender-based violence, sexual abuse, early and forced marriage, and teenage pregnancy. These challenges can expose girls to serious health risks, disrupt their education and undermine their social and economic opportunities.

"There is the need for comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education to equip girls with accurate information about puberty, menstrual health, personal safety, consent, bodily autonomy and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.;The Network notes that such education should be delivered in a culturally sensitive manner that respects family values while protecting the health, dignity and rights of girls."

NRHJN specifically urged the Ondo State Government to strengthen adolescent-friendly healthcare services, particularly in underserved rural communities, so that girls could access reliable health information, counselling and appropriate medical care without stigma, discrimination or fear.

It also called for increased investment in menstrual health and hygiene, including affordable sanitary products, clean water, functional toilets and adequate sanitation facilities in schools and communities.

"NRHJN urges the Ondo State Government to strengthen adolescent-friendly healthcare services across the state, particularly in underserved rural communities, to ensure that girls could access reliable health information, counselling and appropriate medical care without discrimination, stigma or fear.

"There should also be increased investment in menstrual health and hygiene, including access to affordable sanitary products, clean water, functional toilets and adequate sanitation facilities in schools and communities as no girl should be forced to miss school or abandon her daily activities because of inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities or the inability to afford sanitary products.

"The Network appeals to parents and guardians to create safe and supportive environments where girls can freely discuss health concerns, ask questions about puberty and reproductive health, and seek professional medical assistance when necessary.

"Traditional and religious leaders, community-based organisations and civil society groups should also  intensify efforts to discourage early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual exploitation and other harmful practices that threaten girls’ physical and psychological well-being.

"NRHJN advocates  stronger protection mechanisms to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence against girls whereby relevant authorities ensure that survivors receive timely medical attention, psychosocial support, protection and access to justice."

It emphasized that no girl should be forced to miss school or abandon her daily activities because of inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities or the inability to afford sanitary products.

On sexual and gender-based violence, NRHJN advocated stronger protection mechanisms and urged relevant authorities to ensure that survivors received prompt medical attention, psychosocial support, protection and access to justice.

The network described keeping girls in school as a critical investment in their health and future, noting that informed and empowered girls were better positioned to recognise abuse, make informed decisions about their health and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.

"Keeping girls in school is an important investment in their health and future because informed and empowered girls are better positioned to protect their health, recognise abuse, seek appropriate healthcare and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.

"Upholding commitment to responsible and evidence-based journalism, the  Network also calls  on media organisations and journalists to give greater attention to adolescent health issues, challenge harmful stereotypes and hold relevant authorities accountable for policies and programmes designed to protect and empower the girl child.

"Protecting the girl child must go beyond annual celebrations and public declarations, requiring sustained investment in healthcare, education, nutrition and protection services , thus  stakeholders must  work collectively towards a society where every girl, regardless of her background or location can grow up healthy, safe, informed and empowered to fulfil her potential.

NRHJN maintained that protecting the girl child must extend beyond annual celebrations and public declarations, requiring sustained investment in healthcare, education, nutrition and protection services.

It called on all stakeholders to work towards a society where every girl, regardless of her background or location, could grow up healthy, safe, informed and empowered to fulfil her potential.