According to single-source reporting by Vanguard News, leading psychiatrist Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh has warned that Nigeria’s widespread neglect of mental healthcare is threatening the country’s social stability, eroding public trust, and deepening despair among young citizens struggling with insecurity.
Speaking at the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, Sheikh delivered a presentation titled “Mental Health as Social Capital: The Hidden Wealth of Nations.” Sheikh, a professor of psychiatry and psychopharmacology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, highlighted mental wellbeing as a foundational element for societal cohesion, trust, and long-term development.
Social Capital Crisis and Psychological Distress
Addressing summit attendees, Sheikh noted that Nigeria—a country of approximately 230 million people with a large youth demographic—is experiencing a profound social capital crisis. He emphasized that low institutional trust and inter-community tensions are actively fracturing the relationships required for a functional society.
Sheikh explained that societal challenges such as rising substance abuse—including the misuse of codeine and other psychoactive substances—family breakdowns, and the growing desire among young Nigerians to leave the country stem from deep psychological distress and a loss of confidence in the future. “When you live in survival mode, you cannot plan for tomorrow,” Sheikh stated during his address, urging leaders to view these challenges beyond mere economic terms.
The Lasting Impact of Insecurity and Trauma
The psychiatric expert highlighted the heavy psychological toll of widespread insecurity and violence, noting that unaddressed trauma extends far beyond physical loss and property damage. He cautioned that prolonged exposure to violence causes long-term psychological harm that directly impacts how survivors build relationships and interact with public institutions.
Illustrating his point, Sheikh described how a child growing up amid violence in Kaduna without psychological support could develop into an adult marked by hypervigilance and deep mistrust toward the state, ultimately threatening generational stability and peacebuilding efforts.
Key Recommendations for Systemic Reform
To address the health crisis, Sheikh outlined critical policy recommendations for the Federal Government and healthcare administrators:
First, he called for strengthening the national mental health system by expanding affordable, quality care directly at the community level, rather than leaving services concentrated exclusively in specialized medical centers.
Second, Sheikh urged the immediate implementation of the National Mental Health Act 2021, warning against allowing its legislative provisions to remain unexecuted on paper.
Third, he advocated for reform to ensure that attempted suicide is no longer treated as a criminal offense, demanding instead that individuals experiencing psychological crises receive compassionate medical care and support.
Concluding his presentation, Sheikh emphasized that mental health must be treated as both a national and humanitarian priority. “The bridge between poverty and prosperity is not infrastructure alone, it requires mental health,” he stated, adding that sustainable social development and lasting peace are unattainable without prioritizing psychological wellbeing and trauma healing.