President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law, a bill for an Act to provide for the establishment and regulation of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central), who sponsored the bill, said the act is to protect persons with mental health needs and establishment of National Commission for Mental and Substance Abuse Services, for the effective management of mental health in Nigeria, and other related matters.
He said “The bill was necessitated by the enduring quest to make provision for the enhancement and regulation of mental health and substance abuse services and cast aside the challenges that perpetuate the social stigma of the victims of mental illness.”
Speaking on the significance of the bill, he explained that the proposal was intended to protect persons with mental health needs, and establish National Agency for Mental and Substance Abuse Services for effective management of mental health in Nigeria and other related matters,
“I further lamented on the absence of Mental Health Law in Nigeria other than the Regional Lunacy Law of 1918, which in context and content violated fundamental human rights of persons with mental health and psychosocial disabilities,” he added.
