Nigerian boys are increasingly becoming mad. 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 Organization (WHO), which revealed that 14 percent 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 recognize the signs of emotional distress in boys and provide them with the necessary support. He emphasized that it is crucial to teach boys suffering from mental illness that seeking help is not a sign of weakness.
This is saddening, and it attests to the fact that we live in trying times in Nigeria. While the country suffers from a lack of purposeful leadership, the healthcare system is in shambles. An epidemic of sudden deaths sweeps across the land. A person might be hale and hearty today, but tomorrow they could suddenly slump and die. Now, insanity is taking a heavy toll on our country’s boys.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every four Nigerians—about 50 million people—suffers from mental illness. Mental health issues among boys in Nigeria have become a growing concern, with recent studies highlighting a significant increase in psychiatric disorders among Nigerian boys. Nigerian boys, especially those from lower-income households, face various pressures. Poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to basic services such as education and healthcare 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% of adolescent male residents had psychiatric disorders. The most prevalent conditions were disruptive behavior disorders (40.8%), followed by substance use disorders (15.8%), anxiety disorders (14.2%), psychosis (6.7%), and mood disorders (5%). There have been increasing reports of youth suicides and attempts, and research suggests that male suicide rates can be higher than female rates, especially among younger males. Many of these incidents go unreported or underreported, but cases in Nigeria have started drawing attention to the need for better mental health interventions.
The aforementioned findings underscore the urgent need to address mental health challenges among boys in Nigeria. This is because death associated with mental illness confronts us daily. Factors contributing to the rising mental health cases among our boys are complex, influenced by various issues such as societal expectations, limited access to mental health services, youth frustration, lack of awareness, and a lack of resources dedicated to mental health care.
Addressing these issues is crucial to improving the mental well-being of Nigerian adolescents and ensuring they receive the necessary support to thrive. Many boys face increased stress due to poverty, family instability, unemployment, or a lack of job opportunities. 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.
We live in a society that pays too much attention to the girl-child, often neglecting the boy-child. Many boys suffer in silence because they believe society will not pay attention to their struggles. There is a general stigma around mental health in Nigeria, and many people, particularly young boys, are often not encouraged to talk about mental health issues. We agree with the First Lady of Lagos State that Nigerian boys should receive an all-round education, including character and moral values, as well as 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, reducing stigma and promoting healthy coping strategies. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) should embark on public campaigns aimed at educating both boys and adults about mental health issues. This can help reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. These campaigns should focus on breaking gender norms that discourage boys from expressing emotions or seeking help for mental struggles.
Parents, schools, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and communities should be taught how to recognize the signs of mental illness and how to approach their children without judgment. They should create opportunities and open spaces where boys can freely talk about their feelings, including offering free counseling and therapy. Mental health services should be tailored to boys’ specific needs, addressing the unique pressures they face. This includes ensuring boys feel safe discussing their mental health without the fear of being labeled 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 percent 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 prognosis looks grim. Therefore, the federal government should address the mass exodus of medical professionals and psychiatrists from Nigeria by increasing the salaries and well-being of doctors and psychiatrists working in the country. The government should also establish more neuropsychiatric hospitals and train additional mental health professionals, counselors, and psychologists.
Proper nutrition and a balanced lifestyle are crucial for mental health. Programs 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.
In short, we urgently need a healthcare system that prioritizes the rising cases of mental health issues among Nigerian boys. The government should act swiftly and implement the necessary measures to protect Nigerian boys from mental illness. The widespread issue of drug abuse among young boys in Nigeria must be addressed immediately. Now is the time to reach a consensus on how to save Nigerian boys from mental health crises. A country that neglects to rescue its young boys from mental health issues is heading for disaster.
Therefore, in the coming months, the federal government should invest in psychiatric hospitals and mental health care institutions. More funding for training mental health professionals and building accessible treatment centers will help make mental healthcare more readily available. A national mental health policy that outlines comprehensive steps to tackle mental health challenges is crucial. While the Nigerian government passed the Mental Health Act in 2019, effective implementation is still lacking. Our law enforcement agencies should enforce the Mental Health Act 2019.
Nigerian boys should be given the opportunity to develop properly—physically, mentally, morally, spiritually, and socially—in a healthy environment, under conditions of freedom and dignity. That is the only way we can hope to nurture the future leaders of tomorrow. Our future is built on the triumph of youthful potential. If that potential is destroyed, our future is inevitably at risk.