NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ACT

What Is This Policy?

The National Mental Health Act 2021 and its Implementation Framework replaced Nigeria's outdated 1916 Lunacy Act — establishing a modern, rights-based framework for mental healthcare delivery, the promotion of mental health, and the protection of the rights and dignity of persons with mental health conditions across Nigeria.

Who Does It Target?

All Nigerians experiencing mental health conditions — estimated at 60 million people (one in three Nigerians) Persons with severe mental disorders currently in psychiatric facilities or untreated in communities Primary healthcare workers (CHEWs, nurses, community health officers) who are frontline mental health contacts Caregivers and families of persons with mental health conditions The criminal justice system, schools, workplaces, and social welfare agencies with mental health responsibilities

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Replace coercive, colonial-era mental health law with a rights-based, recovery-oriented legislative framework Integrate mental health services into primary healthcare (PHC) to dramatically expand access beyond the eight federal neuro-psychiatric hospitals Reduce the mental health treatment gap — currently 90% of Nigerians with mental health conditions receive no treatment Protect the legal rights of persons with mental health conditions — prohibiting forced admission, abuse, and discrimination

Key Features

Rights-Based Framework: Guarantees the right to voluntary treatment, informed consent, dignity, and legal representation for all persons with mental health conditions Primary Care Integration: Mandates that mental health services be integrated into all levels of the health system — from PHC through secondary to tertiary care Mental Health Tribunal: Establishes Mental Health Review Tribunals to adjudicate involuntary admission decisions and protect patient rights Dedicated Mental Health Budget: Mandates a minimum percentage of the national health budget be allocated to mental health — ending chronic underfunding Community-Based Care: Prioritises community mental health care over institutional care — enabling recovery in familiar environments Anti-Stigma Campaigns: National awareness and anti-stigma campaigns mandated to reduce discrimination and encourage help-seeking

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — Act signed 2021; Implementation Framework published 2022; national rollout underway Implementing Body: Federal Ministry of Health; Department of Hospital Services; Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospitals; NAFDAC; State Hospitals Management Boards Coverage: National; 8 federal neuro-psychiatric hospitals (Lagos, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Enugu, Calabar, Sokoto, Yaba, and Aro) as tertiary hubs Treatment Gap: Only 10% of those with mental health conditions in Nigeria receive any treatment; policy targets reversal through PHC integration Funding: Federal health budget (mental health allocation), WHO Nigeria support, and international donor funding

How to Access

Individuals Seeking Help: Visit nearest PHC facility or General Hospital for mental health screening and referral; emergency: Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in your zone Crisis Support: Nigeria Suicide Prevention Initiative (NSPI): 0809 210 6493 | Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative: [email protected] Families: Contact nearest Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital for family psychoeducation programmes and caregiver support Institutions: Schools, prisons, and workplaces should appoint mental health focal persons and develop organisational mental health policies

Important Terms

No Forced Admission: Under the new Act, involuntary admission requires Mental Health Tribunal review — removing absolute power from families and clinicians Rights to Informed Consent: Patients must give informed consent for all treatments; lack of consent triggers legal protections under the Act

Official Resources

Website: health.gov.ng | who.int/nigeria Crisis Line: NSPI Helpline: 0809 210 6493 | Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative: [email protected] Contact: Federal Ministry of Health, Phase III Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja Policy Summary | Source: FMOH, Nigeria Mental Health Act 2021, WHO Nigeria, Asido Foundation, Human Rights Watch | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Mental Health Act 2021 is the primary legislation governing mental health in Nigeria. It replaces the outdated Lunacy Act 1916 and operates under the 1999 Constitution (Section 17 on health rights), the National Health Act 2014, and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019. International alignment is with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.4 on mental health).