This assurance was given by the Commissioner for Health in Ogun State Dr. Tomi Coker during a press conference held in Abeokuta on Friday in commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2025, with the theme “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”
Dr. Coker represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Oladehinde Kayode, emphasized that the theme was both timely and urgent, noting that catastrophes and emergencies such as floods, insecurity, disease outbreaks, and natural disasters often leave behind deep psychological scars in affected communities.
She added that during such crises, people face trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and in some cases suicidal thoughts saying that most of those affected are unable to access care due to limited services, stigma, and cost barriers.
Quoting World Health Organization (WHO) data, she disclosed that one in four people globally will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, while over 90 percent of Nigerians living with mental illness lack access to adequate care.
Stressing on the situation in Ogun State, Dr. Coker revealed that data from the state’s four mental health service points in Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro, and Ota showed over 10,000 patient visits in the first half of 2025 alone, including nearly 1,000 new cases.
“Mental health is not a privilege — it is a fundamental human right. In Ogun State, the burden of mental health is real and growing. Data from our four service points, Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro, and Ota show that in just the first half of 2025, we recorded over 10,000 patient visits and nearly 1,000 were new patients, while others were follow-ups, reflecting the chronic nature of these conditions. The top conditions were psychosis, neurosis, epilepsy, depression, and substance use disorders “ she said .
As part of this year’s commemoration, Dr. Coker said the ministry lined up several activities including radio engagements, media sensitization, and virtual public lectures focused on the year’s theme, aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing communities for improved mental health care.
She reiterated that mental health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right, assuring that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration remains committed to ensuring sustainable and affordable health coverage that includes mental health services.
She called for collective action from all sectors of society, urging families, employers, religious leaders, and the media to support mental well-being in their communities.
“Government alone cannot solve this problem as we all need to act. As families, we should create safe spaces for open conversations on mental health with our relatives.Employers should build supportive workplaces that promote mental wellbeing. As religious and Community Leaders, we should use our platforms to preach compassion and access to care”she said.
Speaking further, Dr. Coker disclosed that the state government has established community mental health hospitals in Abeokuta, Ilaro, Ijebu-Ode, and Ota to enhance access to care.
She also announced the formation of the Ogun State Mental Health Action Committee, chaired by Dr. Olajide Abayomi, with 26 members drawn from various agencies in line with the National Policy on Mental Health.
The committee, he said, will embark on massive community sensitization, education, and engagement programs in the coming months to ensure that people with mental health challenges receive the support they need.
On the issue of substance abuse, she noted that the state government is partnering with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb drug trafficking and peddling, particularly among young people.
Dr. Coker also highlighted government efforts through the Ministry of Youth and Sports to keep youths productively engaged, encouraging those out of school or unemployed to learn vocational skills and participate in sports — both aimed at preventing involvement in drug abuse and other social vices.
“The state government have been trying to engage the youth, it’s when the youth are not engaged that they get involved in all those negative vices. The government is engaging youth through the ministry of youth and sport and apart from that , those who are out of school that don’t have jobs , government is encouraging them to come and learn some hand job.
“We have centres around where those youths are trained, after their training , they are also supported by the state government that will take them off idleness. Sports is another engaging thing that the government has gotten involved in the past . Sport is that things that the government is trying to use to make sure that the youth are engaged”.
