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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the mental health of its officers as part of ongoing efforts to enhance policing and officer welfare.
Speaking in Abuja at the ongoing 2025 Annual National Congress and Scientific Conference (ANCSC) of the Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP), the Force Medical Director (FMD), AIG Dr. Nkechi Eze, said mental health has become a top priority for the Police leadership.
The conference, themed “Mental Health Emergency in Nigeria: The Role of Clinical Psychologists,” brings together experts, policymakers, and mental health professionals.
Dr. Eze, who chaired the event, said that upon assuming office, she made the psychological well-being of police personnel a key focus.
“On my assumption of duty as the Force Medical Director, one of my priorities was improving the mental health of our police officers, which is a key component of the Inspector-General of Police’s vision,” she said.
“This prompted me to begin the process of repositioning the Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU) to offer the necessary services to officers and men of the Force.”
Also speaking, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, represented by Assistant Controller-General Stanley Otalu, highlighted the growing mental health crisis within the correctional system.
“Mental health crises are becoming increasingly prevalent across all sectors of society, including within the correctional system, where they present unique challenges and demand specialised responses,” he said.
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In his opening speech, the President of the Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA), Prof. Gboyega Abikoye, described the situation as a national mental health emergency.
“We indeed have a mental health emergency on our hands,” he said. “Clinical psychologists have crucial roles to play in building a robust and effective mental health system, yet their contributions have been grossly underemphasised.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Assoc. Prof. David Igbokwe, noted that mental health has become a pressing national issue.
“The world is confronting multiple layers of crises that have placed mental health at the centre of national dialogue,” he said. “From economic hardship, displacement, and insecurity to the silent epidemics of depression, substance abuse, and suicide, Nigeria faces what can aptly be described as a mental health emergency.”
Adding his voice, Prof. Harry Obi-Nwosu, a member of the Board of Trustees of NACP, said both government and citizens still fail to grasp the basics of mental health — resulting in what he described as an “emergency situation.”
“Despite rising cases of depression, trauma, and insecurity, mental health receives less than 2% of Nigeria’s annual health budget,” he said, describing the figure as “grossly inadequate” for a country of over 200 million people.
He called for mandatory mental health screening for leaders — including politicians, soldiers, police officers, and university administrators — to ensure sound judgment and emotional stability in public service.
Prof. Obi-Nwosu also warned that poor mental health is silently damaging Nigeria’s economy and social fabric.
“When people take advantage of refugees or the vulnerable, that’s a form of mental illness in society,” he said.
