A nation under siege feels its wounds not only on the skin but in the mind. Bishop Mathew Kukah of Sokoto has raised an urgent call: Nigeria’s enduring insecurity is quietly turning into a nationwide mental health crisis — one that is largely unspoken and dangerously under-addressed.
As violence and uncertainty persist, Nigeria’s mental health burden is deepening. Bishop Kukah’s call links security and sanity, urging policymakers to listen.
- Over 40 million Nigerians are estimated to live with mental health challenges.
- Insecurity, particularly in the North, is driving chronic stress and trauma.
- Young people face growing mental health risks amid rising unemployment and violence.
- Nigeria has fewer than 300 psychiatrists for over 200 million people.
- Cultural stigma and poor primary healthcare hinder early mental health intervention.
With insecurity stealing sleep and peace across Nigeria, caring for the nation’s mental wellbeing may be as urgent as securing its borders.
