National Mental Health Act 2021
The National Mental Health Act 2021 (Gazetted Copy)
On January 5, 2023, President Muhammad Buhari made history by signing the National Mental Health Bill 2021 into law, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to improve support for psychosocial wellbeing. The new Mental Health Act is the first legislative reform adopted in the field since the country’s independence.
Nigerian Mental Health was one of the leading forces to help secure the Act’s passage, which inaugurates new human rights-focused protections for those with mental health conditions.
Memoranda Submitted During Public Hearing
of the National Mental Health Bill 2021
Nigerian Mental Health is gathering memoranda submitted during the public hearing to help inform scholars, researchers, practitioners, activists, media, and others interested in the Mental Health Act and to inform the law's implementation. If you have memoranda submitted during the process please contact us (nigerianmentalhealth@gmail.com) and we will add it to our growing database.
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Asido Foundation Memoranda
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Association of Psychiatric Nurses of Nigeria (APNON) Memoranda
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National Assocation of Social Workers (NASOW) Memoranda
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Neem Foundation Memoranda
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Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP) Memoranda
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She Writes Woman Memoranda
Legislative History
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First Reading: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill 2019
30th January 2020
A Bill for an Act to provide for the enhancement and regulation of mental health and substance abuse services, protect persons with mental health needs and establishment of National Commission for Mental and Substance Abuse Services, for the effective management of mental health in Nigeria and for other related matters.
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Second Reading: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill 2020
3rd December 2020
Report on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill, 2020 (SB. 66):
Motion made: That the Senate receives and considers the Report of the Committee on Health on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bill, 2020 (Found on page 5).
Senate Plenary That Passed Nigeria’s Mental Health Bill for Third Reading
3rd December 2020
In this video, we witness the historic moment when the Senate passed the National Mental Health Bill for the third reading in 2020. The video showcases the Senate plenary session where the Bill was discussed, debated, and finally voted upon. The advancement of the Bill represented a major step forward in addressing mental health concerns in Nigeria.
