The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has announced plans to institutionalise the National Adolescent and Youth Mental Health Week as an annual event to promote mental health awareness, strengthen support systems, and improve the well-being of young Nigerians.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this at a Ministerial press briefing held on Saturday, 17th October , 2026, at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja.
He said the initiative would provide a sustained platform for stakeholders to promote adolescent and youth mental health nationwide. “The Federal Ministry of Youth Development intends to institutionalise the National Adolescent and Youth Mental Health Week as an annual event,” he stated.
The Minister emphasised that mental health is essential to education, productivity and youth development. He also stressed the importance of involving young people in decisions concerning their well-being, noting that “they must be active participants in shaping the solutions that affect their lives.”
The programme is being organised in partnership with the Initiative for Self Esteem Education and Advocacy (ISEEA) and 23 civil society and non-governmental organisations. Activities include school engagements, community outreach, media sensitisation and a National Action Forum. The week will conclude with a gala dinner and the Creative Minds Awards, which will recognise creative contributions to mental health advocacy.
As part of efforts to sustain the initiative, the Ministry plans to encourage its adoption across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Minister also commended AUST for providing its hall for the National Action Forum at no cost, as well as Nuges Media for sponsoring awards for the three best creative minds whose artistic works address mental health challenges.
Representing the Minister at the briefing, the Acting Permanent Secretary and Director of Human Resources, Akin Olanipekun, called on government agencies, development partners, the media, families, and young people to work together to tackle stigma and improve access to mental health support. He urged stakeholders to translate awareness into concrete action, stating: “It is time to move from conversation to commitment and from awareness to action.”
In his welcome address, the President of AUST, Professor Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, described mental health as an essential component of overall well-being. He noted that young people experiencing emotional challenges deserve understanding, respect and access to appropriate support.
Professor Onwualu called on families, schools, communities, and the government to work collectively to address stigma and improve access to mental health services. He emphasized that “seeking help is a strength, and no young person should have to face a mental health challenge alone.”
Similarly, the Founder and Executive Director of ISEEA, Rosemary Ochiwu, called for greater attention to the emotional well-being of young people, stressing that mental health advocacy must extend beyond awareness to practical action. She noted that resilience develops when young people have supportive families, safe schools and access to appropriate mental health services. She therefore urged stakeholders to make youth mental health a shared national priority.
Signed:
Omolara Esan
Director (Information and Public Relations)
17th October, 2026.
