By Ebi Kesiena
The Nigerian Senate has urged that mental health education be incorporated into the national school curriculum as part of efforts to tackle the increasing psychological and emotional pressures faced by students and teachers.
The call was made by Dr Ipalibo Banigo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, during a mental health programme organised by the Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI), in Abuja.
Delivering the keynote address, Banigo, who also serves as the Grand Patron of MHEI and the Association of Mental Health Reform Organisations in Africa (AMHROA), highlighted the close connection between mental well-being, discipline, and academic success.
“Education is more than the pursuit of grades; it is the shaping of character, values, and vision. Yet, we cannot expect excellence from a mind burdened by anxiety, depression, fear, or hopelessness,” she said.
She expressed concern about the rising levels of burnout, substance abuse, and emotional distress among Nigerian students and teachers, warning that such challenges are often ignored or misinterpreted.
“Across Nigeria and much of Africa, we face a growing crisis of academic burnout, substance use among youths, and rising emotional distress among both students and educators. Too often, these challenges are misunderstood, dismissed, or spiritualised, leaving many to suffer in silence,” Banigo stated.
She urged that the nation must move from silence to action, from stigma to support, adding that schools should be safe spaces not only for learning but also for emotional growth and psychological stability.
Banigo reaffirmed the Senate Committee’s commitment to ensuring that every learner in Nigeria can flourish both mentally and academically. She proposed several measures, including collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to embed mental health education into school curricula, train teachers and counsellors in emotional intelligence and crisis response, and establish mental health desks in schools and tertiary institutions.
She also called for increased parental awareness, community-based mental health initiatives, and local research to guide evidence-based decisions that promote education, mental wellness, and national progress.
