NHRC Urges Government Action on Mental Health Rights

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised alarms regarding the increasing human rights violations faced by Nigerians living with mental health conditions. The NHRC disclosed that these vulnerable individuals experience discrimination, neglect, abuse, and social exclusion, compounded by inadequate access to affordable treatment.

Dr. Tony Ojukwu, the NHRC executive secretary, called for the federal government to prioritize mental healthcare, enhance health insurance coverage, and increase funding for mental health services. He emphasized that millions of Nigerians risk being left without adequate care.

Ojukwu highlighted that mental healthcare should be treated as a public health priority and a fundamental human rights obligation. He noted that people with mental health conditions are often denied basic rights, including access to education and employment.

Citing WHO data, he stated that fewer than three percent of individuals with mental health conditions in Nigeria are covered by health insurance. The NHRC has intervened in cases of abuse and neglect, rescuing individuals from inhumane conditions linked to their mental health.