Internationally renowned Nigerian mental health advocate based in the United States, Dr Emmanuel Oluwasayomi Ahmadu, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Fellowship in Public Resources and Health Management Sciences in West Africa and inducted into the prestigious 2025 Hall of Fame by the Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics (CIPRMP), Ghana. This recognition celebrates his exceptional leadership, professional excellence, inspirational advocacy, and executive charisma towards the growth and development of the African continent and its diaspora, alongside his extraordinary contributions to mental health awareness, nation-building, and youth empowerment.
The Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics, registered with Ghana’s Registrar General and renowned for its rigorous standards, announced the honour through an official nomination and induction letter signed by Prof Emeritus Edwin N. Korley-Bonsu, Director General and Chairman of its Governing Council. CIPRMP has previously honoured leaders across diverse sectors who exemplify integrity, visionary leadership, and transformative community impact.
Dr Ahmadu, celebrated as a global mental health champion, has led far-reaching advocacy campaigns in Nigeria and across Africa, addressing suicide prevention, youth mental health education, and resilience building among vulnerable populations. His collaborative efforts include training peer educators, facilitating mental health curricula for schools, and mobilising local champions to integrate mental wellbeing within community development frameworks.
Notably, he serves as a Nigeria Representative Member of the Children and Youth Major Group to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), amplifying youth voices on environmental and mental health intersections. Dr Ahmadu’s goal is to extend collaboration with various local, national, multinational, and international agencies to drive significant impact within communities across Nigeria, Africa, and globally.
In an official letter, Prof Korley-Bonsu described him as “a renowned nation-building expert, world-class professional administrative personality, and an iconic management technocrat,” commending his incorruptible leadership integrity and impactful advocacy.
In a phone interview with our correspondent following the announcement, Dr Ahmadu expressed heartfelt gratitude, dedicating the recognition to young people across Africa navigating mental health challenges in silence.
“This honour is not just for me. It is for every young person who wakes up each day fighting unseen battles yet still finds the strength to keep going. It validates that their pain can produce purpose and their scars can become symbols of hope for others.”
Dr Ahmadu further shared empowering advice for African adolescents and youth:
“You can become anything in this life as long as you remain hungry for it every day. Never allow distracted people who are on a different journey to dictate where you’re going. No one’s life can be written off until they themselves choose to quit. The thoughts we nurture, the affirmative words we tell ourselves, and the company we keep have massive influence over our lives.
When I was much younger and no one saw any possibility in me, I would look in the mirror and remind myself, ‘Emmanuel, you will be a problem solver and the world will know you.’ I matched those words with action by thinking like someone destined for greatness, seeking mentorship, staying desperate to know and surrender to God beyond mere religion, and surrounding myself with people who are purpose-driven, disciplined, and focused on achieving their dreams. Whenever I was alone as an introvert, I would always think about what problems to solve in my community and country, drawing out strategies on how to do that no matter how big it was. That changed everything.
My advice is simple: connect with real life beyond social media, accept yourself, and pursue a life that suits your pace. You can still end up making a difference in your community. No matter what you face, I believe in you, and I am proud of you for your resilience.”
CIPRMP emphasised that the award is not purchasable but is conferred solely by its Governing Council and Board of Trustees in acknowledgement of recipients’ extraordinary leadership and transformative contributions to Africa’s development.
Looking ahead, Dr Ahmadu revealed plans to launch a forthcoming initiative that will develop and implement programs to enhance resilience coping skills and stress management in adolescents and young adults; amplify voices and provide platforms for marginalized communities to share their experiences and perspectives for change; inspire hope and foster a sense of purpose, optimism, and empowerment among individuals; promote positive change and support initiatives that drive social, economic, and environmental transformation to improve lives and communities; and encourage self-care by developing resources and tools to support mental health and well-being in adolescents and young adults.
“This recognition is an invitation to expand our work beyond borders, build stronger systems for mental health support, and equip young Africans to thrive despite their challenges,” Dr Ahmadu noted.
His induction into Ghana’s Hall of Fame stands as a testament to his relentless mission of bringing hope to the hopeless and building a healthier, purpose-driven generation for Africa’s sustainable future.
