NHRC Raises Alarm Over Mental Health Abuses
* Says less than 3% covered by insurance Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised the alarm over the treatment of Nigerians living with mental
Nigeria's mental health system has long been underfunded and poorly regulated, with the country operating under a colonial-era Lunacy Act for decades before the 2021 Mental Health Act sought to modernise care and protect patients' rights. Despite the new law, access to treatment remains limited, with most Nigerians relying on out-of-pocket payments, traditional or faith-based healing centres, or informal "rehabilitation" homes where abuse and neglect have repeatedly been documented by rights groups.
The National Human Rights Commission's latest warning adds an official voice to these concerns, highlighting how few Nigerians living with mental health conditions have any form of insurance cover, leaving many without consistent access to professional treatment. The coverage across outlets agrees on the core finding — inadequate insurance and ongoing stigma are compounding abuse and neglect — but details such as specific cases investigated, the scale of violations recorded, and what concrete steps the Commission or government plan to take have not yet been reported.