Declare State of Emergency on Substance Abuse, Psychiatrist Urges FG

A Consultant Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Dr. Abayomi Olajide, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on substance abuse, warning that the rising trend is worsening Nigeria’s mental health crisis and creating an unsafe society.

Olajide, who also chairs the Ogun State Mental Health Action Committee, made the appeal during a mental health awareness walk organised to mark the 2026 World Mental Health Day.

The event was hosted by the Association of Resident Doctors in collaboration with Edijalo Health Services.He described Nigeria’s mental health challenges as reaching epidemic levels, driven by economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity, poverty, and social vices.

“Less than 10% of people have access to care, and most of this care is out-of-pocket. Health insurance is not yet well covered for mental health challenges,” he noted.

Speaking against the backdrop of a methamphetamine laboratory recently discovered in Ijebu-Ode, Olajide stressed that substance abuse now accounts for nearly 90% of bed occupancy in mental health facilities.

He warned that drug use among secondary school students is rising sharply, with codeine and other substances becoming common by senior secondary levels.He urged a multi-sectoral approach involving education, health, communities, and stakeholders to tackle the crisis, adding that rehabilitation and reintegration of affected individuals must be prioritised.

Also at the event, Acting Provost and Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Sunday Amosu, highlighted that one in seven Nigerians may be living with mental health challenges, underscoring the scale of the problem.

He called for collective action from government, families, religious organisations, NGOs, and individuals.

The President of the Resident Doctors Association, Dr. Chidi Ikwumezie, explained that the awareness walk was the first phase of activities marking World Mental Health Day 2026, themed “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices. Real Change.”

He said the theme calls for listening to real experiences, challenging stigma, and translating conversations into meaningful action.World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on October 10.

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