The alarm recently raised over the growing mental health crisis among boys in Nigeria is timely and needs to be properly followed up as a budding and threatening societal problem. Information that Nigerian boys are increasingly suffering from mental illness is a bad narrative that must be reversed, in the interest of Nigeria’s future.
Speaking at the 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) residential workshop recently held at the Lagos State Model College, Agbowa-Ikosi, in Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and a professor of psychiatry and clinical psychology at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Olurotimi Coker, raised an alarm over the growing mental health crisis among boys in Nigeria.
Citing statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which revealed that 14 per cent of adolescents worldwide experience mental health issues, with suicide ranking among the leading causes of death for those aged 15 to 29, Prof. Coker called for early interventions to rescue boys from mental health crises.
According to Prof. Coker, mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are increasingly affecting young boys in Nigeria. Unfortunately, these issues are often overlooked due to societal expectations that boys must always be strong. He lamented that many boys afflicted by mental illness suffer in silence because they fear being judged or discriminated against. He therefore urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to recognise the signs of emotional distress in boys and provide them with the necessary support. He emphasised that it is crucial to teach boys suffering from mental illness that seeking help is not a sign of weakness.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in every four Nigerians—about 50 million people—suffer from mental illness. Recent studies highlight a significant increase in psychiatric disorders among Nigerian boys, especially those from lower-income households who face various pressures ranging from poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to basic services such as education and healthcare, all of which contribute to stress and mental health issues. Moreover, the rising insecurity in parts of the country, such as kidnappings and violence, can also affect the mental well-being of children and teenagers.
Additionally, a study conducted at a Borstal Institution in North-Central Nigeria found that 82.5 per cent of adolescent male residents had psychiatric disorders. The most prevalent conditions were disruptive behaviour disorders (40.8 per cent), followed by substance use disorders (15.8 per cent), anxiety disorders (14.2 per cent), psychosis (6.7 per cent), and mood disorders (5 per cent). There have been increasing reports of youth suicides and attempts, and research suggests that male suicide rates, especially among younger males, can be higher than female rates. Many of these incidents go unreported or underreported, but cases in the country suggest a need for better mental health interventions.
Death associated with mental illness confronts the country daily due to factors, some of which are enumerated, but also including societal expectations, limited access to mental health services, youth frustration, lack of awareness, family instability, unemployment, or a lack of job opportunities and a lack of resources dedicated to mental health care. Addressing these root causes through social and economic policies (such as job creation, educational scholarships, etc.) can alleviate some of the pressure leading to mental health challenges.
Notably, the society seems to pay more attention to the girl-child, often neglecting the boy-child. This is more visible in many parts of the north. Many young boys are often not encouraged to talk about mental health issues. The First Lady of Lagos State is correct in her admonition that Nigerian boys should receive all-around education, including character, moral values, and mental and emotional well-being.
To make this happen, mental health education should be integrated into secondary school and tertiary institution curricula to help young people understand mental health from an early age, reduce stigma and promote healthy coping strategies. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) should embark on public campaigns aimed at educating both boys and adults about mental health issues. These campaigns should focus on breaking gender norms that discourage boys from expressing emotions or seeking help for mental struggles.
Parents, schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOS), and communities should be enlightened on how to recognise the signs of mental illness and how to approach children without judgment. They should create opportunities and open spaces where boys can freely discuss their feelings, including offering free counselling and therapy. Mental health services should be tailored to boys’ specific needs, addressing the unique pressures they face without the fear of being labelled as weak.
It is unfortunate that the Nigerian healthcare system currently lacks sufficient mental health professionals and facilities. There are fewer than 150 psychiatrists in this country of about 200 million people. The WHO estimates that fewer than 10 per cent of mentally ill Nigerians have access to the care they need. Additionally, there are only eight federal neuropsychiatric hospitals in Nigeria, and budget and staffing shortfalls often prompt doctors to go on strike, leave the country, or quit the medical profession altogether. Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, for example, is overstretched and overworked. At the outpatient clinic, the crowd of people waiting to consult with doctors is so large that it spills into the hallway.
The federal government should address the mass exodus of medical professionals and psychiatrists from Nigeria; establish more neuropsychiatric hospitals and train additional mental health professionals, counsellors, and psychologists nationwide.
Proper nutrition and a balanced lifestyle are crucial for mental health. Programmes that educate people on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including good sleep and eating habits, could prevent or reduce the onset of mental health problems. Physical health is often linked to mental health, and encouraging boys to engage in sports and other physical activities can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. The widespread drug abuse among young boys in Nigeria must also be addressed concertedly.
The federal government should formulate a clear national mental health policy, which state and local governments should leverage. While the government passed the Mental Health Act in 2019, effective implementation and enforcement are still lacking. Nigerian boys should be allowed to develop properly—physically, mentally, morally, spiritually, and socially—in a healthy environment, under conditions of freedom and dignity. That is the only way they can be nurtured to be future leaders of tomorrow. The future is built on the triumph of youthful potential. The country’s future is inevitably at risk if that potential is destroyed.
