Nigerian Senate Advocates For Mental Health Education In Schools To Combat Rising Psychological Challenges
Oludare Joshua
In a significant move towards addressing the escalating psychological and emotional challenges faced by students and educators across Nigeria, the Senate has called for the integration of mental health education into the national academic curriculum. This recommendation was made during a mental health program organized by the Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI) on Monday in Abuja.
Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the essential connection between mental health, student discipline, and academic achievement. As the Grand Patron of MHEI and the Association of Mental Health Reform Organisations in Africa (AMHROA), she highlighted that education extends beyond academic grades. “It is about shaping character, values, and vision,” she asserted. “We cannot expect excellence from a mind burdened by anxiety, depression, fear, or hopelessness.”
Senator Banigo pointed out the alarming trends of academic burnout, substance use, and rising emotional distress among students and teachers throughout Nigeria and wider Africa. “We face a growing crisis that is often misunderstood, dismissed, or spiritualized, leaving many to suffer in silence,” she lamented.
She called for a shift from silence to action, urging the need for schools to evolve into environments that promote not only intellectual growth but also psychological safety and emotional development. “The Senate Committee is committed to ensuring that every learner in Nigeria can thrive both mentally and academically,” she outlined, introducing a series of proposed measures to realize this vision.
These measures include collaborating with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to incorporate mental health education into school curricula, training teachers and school counselors in emotional intelligence and crisis response, and establishing mental health desks in all educational institutions. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of empowering parents through community-based mental health initiatives and investing in local research and youth-centered data to inform policy decisions that bolster education, mental well-being, and national development.
The event featured two key activities led by MHEI: a National Students–Parents–Teachers Roundtable and a continental webinar, both focused on connecting education with mental health reforms. The national roundtable held at the Federal Ministry of Education Secretariat brought together over 120 participants, including students, parents, teachers, education officials, and NGO representatives to discuss effective strategies for fostering mental well-being in schools.
Additionally, the webinar attracted 54 participants from 14 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Uganda, to broaden the conversation on regional reforms.
Dr. Ameh Abba, Founder and President of MHEI, underscored the need to treat mental health as a developmental priority. He stated, “For far too long, mental health has been viewed solely as a medical issue. Today, we affirm that mental well-being is crucial for academic success, national productivity, and thriving communities.” He emphasized the necessity of creating psychologically safe learning environments and emotionally aware teaching practices to enhance student resilience and purpose.
“This is just the start of a movement to embed mental well-being at the core of educational systems across the continent,” he concluded, noting the growing momentum from schools, families, and governments to recognize mental health as a fundamental right and a pillar of sustainable development.
