NOA Moves to Expand Mental Health Support Nationwide

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting mental health awareness as part of efforts to enhance civic education and public reorientation across Nigeria.

The Director-General of the agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, made this known while receiving a delegation from She Writes Woman Mental Health Initiative, led by its founder, Hauwa Ojeifo. The organisation is a non-governmental group focused on raising awareness about suicide prevention and providing mental health support.

Represented by the Director of Health and Social Care, Femi Ayoola, the NOA boss stressed the urgent need to address the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities in the country. He noted that such issues are often misunderstood or neglected, despite their growing impact.

Ayoola also reiterated the agency’s readiness to work collaboratively with stakeholders to tackle mental health challenges, describing the sector as under-prioritised in Nigeria. He highlighted the NOA’s nationwide reach through its communication structures across the 774 local government areas in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In her remarks, Ojeifo described She Writes Woman Mental Health Initiative as a female-led organisation with over a decade of impact. She explained that the group focuses on documenting lived experiences to challenge discrimination, providing support through a 24/7 toll-free tele-therapy helpline, and organising capacity-building programmes for affected individuals.

Written by Adeyemi Adewale