By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian Senate has called for the integration of mental health education into the national academic curriculum to address the growing psychological and emotional challenges facing students and teachers across the country.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, made the call on Monday at a mental health programme organised by the Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI) in Abuja.
Delivering the keynote address, Senator Banigo, who also serves as Grand Patron of MHEI and the Association of Mental Health Reform Organisations in Africa, said mental health plays a crucial role in shaping discipline, productivity, and overall academic performance.
“Education is more than the pursuit of grades; it is the shaping of character, values, and vision. Yet, we cannot expect excellence from a mind burdened by anxiety, depression, or hopelessness,” she said.
Banigo warned that cases of academic burnout, substance abuse, and emotional distress among young people and educators are rising across Nigeria and Africa. She urged a shift “from silence to action from stigma to support,” stressing that schools must become safe spaces for both intellectual and emotional growth.
She further outlined steps toward achieving this goal, including training teachers and counsellors, creating mental health desks in schools, and collaborating with the Ministries of Health and Education to ensure mental wellness becomes a national education priority.
The event featured two major sessions the National Students -Parents-Teachers Roundtable and a continental webinar hosted by the Association of Mental Health Reform Organisations in Africa (AMHROA). The roundtable brought together over 120 participants, including students, parents, and educators, while the webinar connected 54 participants from 14 African countries, expanding the conversation across borders.
Founder and President of MHEI, Dr Ameh Abba, said mental health should be treated as a developmental priority, not just a medical issue. “Mental well-being is the key to academic success, national productivity, and thriving communities,” he said.
He added that psychologically safe classrooms and emotionally aware teaching practices are essential for nurturing resilient learners and building sustainable education systems across Africa.
