2.16. Individuals with disabilities, especially mental health illness

Table of contents

2.16. Individuals with disabilities, especially mental health illness

The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018751 prohibits disability-based discrimination and imposes penalties including fines and prison sentences for violations.752 However, its enforcement is weak, driven by limited public awareness.753 As of July 2025, 23 out of 36 states have enacted their own disability laws.754 Persons with disabilities, especially those in rural755 or conflict-affected areas,756 face significant marginalisation, with limited access to essential services like education, health, employment and transportation, compounded by stigma and discrimination.757 Women and girls with disabilities face discrimination in accessing health –including sexual, reproductive health and maternal health–758 and education.759 They are at higher risk of gender-based violence,760 and encounter significant barriers to justice due to stigma, poverty and inaccessible services.761

For more information on access to healthcare systems, including for specific profiles, see Healthcare. For information regarding access and availability of medical treatment, see EUAA Medical Country of Origin Information (MedCOI) Report: Nigeria, April 2022.

In January 2023, the National Mental Health Act 2021 762 passed into law, replacing the 1958 Lunacy Act.763 The new law introduces certain safeguards for individuals with mental health conditions, such as granting them the ability to take part in decisions about their treatment.764 It also prohibits the use of chains on individuals with mental health issues and seeks to enhance access to care by expanding services available within communities. However, the law still allows involuntary treatment and other coercive practices, including physical restraints and isolation.765

Nigeria is currently facing a ‘mental health crisis’766 due to a lack of access to mental healthcare services, exacerbated by factors like social stigma, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of mental health professionals.767 Mental health system in the country remains under-resourced.768 Despite a population of over 200 million, Nigeria has around 150 psychiatrists,769 with many considering or actively planning to emigrate due to poor working conditions, low income, limited career prospects, and societal stigma surrounding mental health.770 In addition, there is a shortage of neurologists, with many newly trained professionals leaving to work abroad. There are approximately five psychiatric nurses per 100 000 people, and even fewer other mental and neurological health professionals, such as clinical psychologists, social workers, neuro-physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.771 Infrastructures for mental health patients are inadequate, struggling to cope with increasing demand and chronic underfunding.772

In response to limited access, digital health platforms are emerging as lifelines. Initiatives like Awadoc, MindMentor, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), and She Writes Woman773 provide virtual therapy, peer support, and mental health education. However, challenges such as poor internet access, high data costs, and the lack of national policy integration limit their reach, particularly in underserved communities.774

Prevailing stigma associated with mental illness775 prevent individuals from seeking treatment.776 People with mental health conditions are often targeted by mobs ‘that use their disabilities to make false accusations against victims and to justify lynching them’.777 The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW)778 raised alarm about the frequent accusation of witchcraft or demonic possession against people with mental illness. When accused of such acts, people with mental health challenges are often ‘shunned, beaten, tortured, or killed.’ 779 See 2.17. Individuals accused of witchcraft for more information.

Furthermore, a 2024 study on stigma and healthcare in Nigeria found that the widespread stigma associated with mental illness contributes significantly to the underreporting of cases and the chronic underfunding of mental health services. Misconceptions and cultural myths about mental disorders further fuel rising rates of suicide, substance abuse, and long-term psychiatric conditions across the country.780

Trafficking victims in Nigeria face severe psychosocial impacts, but support services are limited and often overlooked in reintegration programs.781 For more information see 2.2.7. Return and long-term reintegration of victims of trafficking.

  • 751

    Nigeria, Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, 21 January 2019, url

  • 752

    HRW, Nigeria Passes Disability Rights Law, 25 January 2019, url

  • 753

    Premium Times, INVESTIGATION: Nigerians with disabilities experience discrimination despite existing laws, 3 April 2024, url; Global Disability Fund, Situational Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, Country Brief, July 2025, url, p. 7

  • 754

    Global Disability Fund, Situational Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, Country Brief, July 2025, url, p. 3; Dialogue Earth, In northern Nigeria, floods impact disabled people most, 19 February 2025, url

  • 755

    Ofuani-Sokolo, A. I. and Monye, O., Engendering financial inclusion for persons with disabilities in Nigeria, March 2025, url, p. 119, 125; Cable (The), Mohammed Isa seeks inclusive programmes for PWDs in rural areas, 11 April 2025, url

  • 756

    DRC, How DRC supports Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria to reclaim their rights and dignity, 12 March 2025, url

  • 757

    Global Disability Fund, Situational Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, Country Full Report, May 2025, url, pp. 48-49;

  • 758

    Nigeria Health Watch, Nigeria’s Health System Must Eliminate Obstacles to Maternal Care for Women with Disabilities, 17 March 2025, url; Global Disability Fund, Situational Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, Country Full Report, May 2025, url, pp. 49-50

  • 759

    Edugist, The Forgotten Girls: Addressing the Educational Needs of Girls with Disabilities in Nigeria, 23 October 2024, url; Inclusive News Network, 61% of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria lack basic computer skills, 18 October 2024, url

  • 760

    Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa, Gender-based violence against women with disabilities in Nigeria, 13 February 2024, url; Global Disability Fund, Situational Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, Country Full Report, May 2025, url, pp. 49-50

  • 761

    Global Disability Fund, Situational Analysis on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, Country Full Report, May 2025, url, pp. 49-50

  • 762

    Nigeria, National Mental Health, 30 December 2022, url

  • 764

    Premium Times, Buhari signs mental health bill after two failed attempts, 11 January 2023, url; HRW, World Report 2024 - Nigeria, 11 January 2024, url

  • 765

    HRW, World Report 2024 - Nigeria, 11 January 2024, url

  • 766

    Center for Policy Impact in Global Health (The), Exploring common mental health problems among Nigerian adolescents: identified challenges and recommendations for the future, 3 September 2024, url; Nweke, S. C. et al., Problems and critical reforms in mental health care: an examination of Nigeria’s situation, November 2024, url

  • 767

    Nweke, S. C. et al., Problems and critical reforms in mental health care: an examination of Nigeria’s situation, November 2024, url; Medical Research Foundation, Urgent action needed to address migration of psychiatrists out of Nigeria, 10 June 2024, url

  • 768

    Omaiboje M., email communication with EUAA, 8 July 2025

  • 769

    Chijioke, O. C. et al., Barriers and Attitudes towards Mental Health Services in Nigeria: A Systematic Review, 15 July 2024, url, p. 12; Premium Times, Less than 200 psychiatrists attend to all Nigerians, 28 November 2024, url

  • 770

    Medical Research Foundation, Urgent action needed to address migration of psychiatrists out of Nigeria, 10 June 2024, url

  • 771

    Chijioke, O. C. et al., Barriers and Attitudes towards Mental Health Services in Nigeria: A Systematic Review, 15 July 2024, url, p. 12

  • 772

    BMJ Global Health, Mind the widening gap: A trauma-driven mental health crisis in Nigeria, 26 May 2024, url

  • 773

    She Writes Woman is a Nigerian women-led movement that challenges stigma, advocates for rights, and creates safe support for people with mental health conditions. See She Writes Woman, Nothing About Us Without Us, n.d., url

  • 774

    Nation (The), Nigeria’s youth mental health crisis in numbers, 11 July 2025, url

  • 775

    BMJ Global Health, Mind the widening gap: A trauma-driven mental health crisis in Nigeria, 26 May 2024, url

  • 776

    Chijioke, O. C. et al., Barriers and Attitudes towards Mental Health Services in Nigeria: A Systematic Review, 15 July 2024, url, p. 15; IACAPAP, Bulletin, June 2025, url, p.32

  • 777

    AI, Nigeria: Escalation of Mob Violence Emboldens Impunity, 29 October 2024, url

  • 778

    AfAW, About, 21 June 2024, url

  • 779

    This Day, Mental Health, Witchcraft and Demonic Possession, 12 October 2024, url

  • 780

    Ogbonna, C. K. et al., Addressing stigma to achieve healthcare equity and universal health coverage in Nigeria, 11 October 2024, url

  • 781

    Adeyinka S., online interview with EUAA, 16 July 2025