Mirian Gom 
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye
LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria currently has only 300 psychiatrists serving a population of more than 200 million people, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed, warning that the shortfall is worsening the country’s mental health crisis.
Speaking at the 3rd Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos on Friday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, called for stronger regulation of psychotropic and antidepressant medicines to ensure access to safe, effective mental health treatment.
Represented by Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances,Dr Ramatu Momodu, Adeyeye said weak regulation, rising drug abuse, and poor access to quality medicines were major factors driving Nigeria’s growing mental health burden.
“Nigeria records an estimated 16,000 suicide deaths annually,” she said. “Suicide is a leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29. Many of these deaths are preventable with early intervention and access to approved treatment.”
She stressed that “regulation is not just policy; it is protection, prevention, and preservation of life,” adding that poor oversight leads to unsafe drug use and overdose, while quality-assured medicines “restore hope and prevent deaths.”
Adeyeye said NAFDAC is working with the NDLEA, Federal Ministry of Health, UNODC, and WHO to strengthen control systems and build public trust in healthcare.
“When we build trust in our systems, we build hope in our people,” she added.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah 