The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday urged the federal government to take urgent, concrete steps to expand mental health access and protect citizens.

The NHRC executive secretary, Tony Ojukwu, made the call while addressing journalists to commemorate the 2026 World Mental Health Day, celebrated every October 10.

“We call for more accessible and affordable community-based mental-health services, stronger health-insurance coverage, and increased training and deployment of qualified professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, psychiatric nurses and social workers.

“We also urge the full implementation of the National Mental Health Act and Policy, with clear accountability,” Mr Ojukwu said.

He noted that available WHO evidence identified significant mental health needs in Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by conflict, displacement, violence and other humanitarian emergencies.

Mr Ojukwu said the problem is compounded by limited access to care.

“A human rights approach to this therefore means seeing and treating people as individuals, not defining them by their mental health condition.

“Everyone deserves dignity, privacy, equality and the right to make decisions about their lives. Above all, mental health services should also be affordable, accessible and available in communities and primary healthcare centres,” he said.

Mr Ojukwu said that though the commission had put a few things in place to mitigate the effect of mental health issues, others should take up some responsibilities.

In addition, he said the scale of Nigeria’s mental-health challenges requires a strong and coordinated national response.

He said Article 16 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights recognises the right of every individual to enjoy the best attainable state of physical and mental health and requires States Parties to take necessary measures to protect the health of their people.

The NHRC boss said that this obligation is not optional; it is a human-rights responsibility.

Nigeria has taken important legislative and policy steps in this regard.

The WHO estimates that nearly one in seven people globally live with a mental disorder and notes that most people who need care do not receive effective treatment.

WHO further identifies poverty, violence, disability and inequality among factors that can increase the risk of poor mental health. 

(NAN)