Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has urged the Federal Government to prioritize mental health in the nation’s healthcare agenda with a dedicated N4 billion Mental Health Fund in the 2026 budget.
Oloriegbe made the call while delivering a keynote address at the Mental Health Leadership and Advocacy Workshop in Ibadan on Thursday, which brought together participants from 19 African countries under the auspices of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC).
He stressed that Nigeria still channels nearly 80% of its health resources to physical health, while mental health remains neglected despite its undeniable link to overall well-being.