Emmanuel Oluwasayomi Ahmadu, a prominent Nigerian mental health advocate, has once again placed Nigeria on the global map as he addressed thousands of college students across India and beyond on the pressing issue of suicide prevention during the 1st Digital Mental Health Conference 2020, held virtually from July 23 to July 29.

In his presentation on July 28, Ahmadu spoke on the urgent need to tackle rising suicide rates among young people, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from his interventions in Nigeria, he highlighted community-based and school-focused mental health awareness initiatives as critical approaches to addressing mental health challenges in underserved communities.

Speaking during a phone interview with The Guardian Nigeria, Ahmadu stated, “Many young people feel isolated and hopeless, especially now. We must remind them that their lives have meaning. My projects focus on resilience, purpose, and timely referrals for help.”

Organisers of the conference, Turn To Positive, shared on social media that Ahmadu’s presentation was among the most practical and motivating sessions, resonating strongly with the conference theme #YouthAgainstCOVID19, which aimed to equip students with essential mental health skills to navigate pandemic-induced challenges.

In his address, Ahmadu shared insights from his school-based mental health awareness outreaches across 50 of the most populated high schools in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he sensitized thousands of students in partnership with mental health agencies, as well as his community mental health project in Kabba, Kogi State. His interventions were described as timely strategies that can be adapted across Africa and globally to support youth mental health.

According to social media posts from the organisers, Indian mental health leaders have now requested his presence for future in-person conferences and collaborative mental health projects post-COVID-19 to advance sustainable interventions for college students in South Asia.

The conference closed on July 29 with participants requesting continued virtual mentorship from Ahmadu and physical training sessions to further transform mental health realities across India.

Looking ahead, Ahmadu expressed his aspiration to team up with the United Nations and other international agencies to foster global mental health awareness and equip more young voices to rise through resilience. “This is not just about one country; it is about building a generation of young people who can overcome hopelessness, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and become champions in their communities,” he stated.

Ahmadu’s recognition at this international conference signifies a growing acknowledgement of Nigeria’s contribution to global mental health advocacy, demonstrating that grassroots interventions led by passionate young professionals can drive meaningful change during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.