The Acting Chairman of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF), Hon. (Comr.) Ishaq Baba Sale has advocated for a stronger legislative framework and closer collaboration among stakeholders to address mental health issues in Nigeria. He made this appeal during a keynote speech at a symposium organized by Safe Space Counselling Centre, focusing on mental health and its related challenges.
In his address, Comr. Sale emphasized the need for government intervention to reform mental health legislation and improve public health initiatives. He highlighted that the country’s current economic difficulties have exacerbated mental health challenges, especially among young people, where cases of drug abuse are on the rise. According to Comr. Sale, the prevalence of drug use has led to an increase in psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He proposed that a national emergency be declared on drug abuse, calling for severe penalties for those involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs.
Addressing the press, Simon Abang, the Public Relations Officer II of NASSLAF, blamed the increase in mental health cases on the increase in cases of drug abuse among our young people. He advocated for enhanced cooperation within the Gulf of Guinea region to combat drug trafficking. He noted that the Gulf of Guinea, with a maritime coastline of about 3, 730 miles, stretching from Cape Palmas in Liberia to Cape Lopez in Gabon, is a strategic route for drug traffickers, particularly those moving drugs from South America through West Africa to Europe. According to data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), around 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15-64 have used psychoactive substances for non-medical purposes, with youths aged 25-39 being the most affected. The increasing drug use among young Nigerians, especially in urban areas, is driven by peer pressure, curiosity, and economic struggles, with popular culture and social media further normalizing drug use.
Speakers at the event echoed the NASSLAF chairman’s stance, stressing the importance of advocacy, investment in mental health services, and comprehensive educational campaigns to curb drug abuse and raise awareness about mental health issues.
Miss Nyen Adoni, the founder of Safe Space Counselling Centre, closed the event by highlighting the relevance of the theme, “Navigating the Challenges of Mental Health in Nigeria,” in today’s societal context. She thanked Comr. Sale and NASSLAF for their contributions and expressed her hopes for future collaboration to tackle mental health challenges in Nigeria.
The symposium called attention to the critical role of policy reform, cross-border collaboration, and public awareness in addressing mental health and substance abuse in Nigeria. NASSLAF’s commitment to tackling these issues sets an example for other organizations to follow, providing hope for a healthier, more supportive environment for all Nigerians.
The event attracted key public officers and key industry players.