By Mahdi Waziri Isa
The Ahmadu Bello University Students’ Representative Council (ABUSRC) under the leadership of President Ibrahim Nazeer Kallah marked a significant milestone during its 2025 SRC Health Week by organizing its inaugural mental health awareness public lecture on Saturday at the ABU Tanimu Balarabe Conference Hall.
The event, hosted by Vice-President 3 Aisha Asila Ahmed, carried the powerful theme “Aware, Empowered, Supported: A New Era for Students’ Mental Health in ABU.”
Renowned psychiatrist Professor Dr. Taiwo Lateef Sheikh from ABU Teaching Hospital delivered a compelling keynote address titled “Mental Health is Everyone’s Responsibility.” The award-winning physician and Africa CDC advisor revealed Nigeria’s severe mental health crisis, particularly among youth, noting the alarming suicide rates and how mental well-being directly impacts community health.
He emphasized that while mental health remains one of the most neglected global health areas, the situation is particularly dire in Nigeria whereas development assistance for mental health constitutes less than 1% of total health aid globally.
Professor Sheikh presented staggering statistics about Nigeria’s mental health infrastructure, including the critical shortage of professionals with less than one mental health specialist per 100,000 people.
He lamented the brain drain crisis where three out of five newly-certified Nigerian mental health specialists emigrate within six months of qualification. Of particular concern was youth vulnerability, with half of all mental health conditions emerging by age 14 and suicide ranking as the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds.
The psychiatry expert proposed comprehensive solutions including person-centered and community approaches, nationwide education campaigns, stigma-reduction through public conversations, improved access to professional care and subsided drugs.
He stressed the urgent need for implementing national mental health policies, suicide prevention frameworks, and legislation to criminalize suicide attempts while creating supportive systems.
“By understanding mental health’s multifaceted nature, we can foster a supportive environment that encourages open discussions and reduces stigma, ultimately leading to a healthier society,” Professor Sheikh asserted.
This landmark event positions ABU at the forefront of crucial mental health discourse in Nigerian academia, with the SRC’s initiative reflecting growing institutional recognition of mental health as fundamental to student welfare and academic success. The lecture established an important platform for ongoing dialogue about creating sustainable support systems for ABU’s student community.