The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention through strategic partnerships and nationwide sensitisation efforts.
The Director-General of the Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, made this known during a meeting with the She Writes Woman Mental Health Initiative, a non-governmental organisation focused on mental health advocacy. The delegation was led by its founder, Hauwa Ojeifo.
Represented by the Director of Health and Social Care, Femi Ayoola, the NOA boss stressed the urgent need to address the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities, noting that such issues are often misunderstood or neglected in Nigeria.
He commended the organisation for its sustained efforts in raising awareness and providing support services, while acknowledging that mental health remains under-prioritised in the country.
Issa-Onilu highlighted the Agency’s mandate in shaping public orientation and civic awareness through targeted communication strategies. He noted that NOA leverages both traditional and digital platforms to reach citizens, particularly young people, including through its AI-powered chatbot and mobile application, CLHEEAN, which provides access to government-related information.
Ayoola further underscored the Agency’s extensive grassroots presence across all 774 local government areas, the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory, positioning NOA as a critical partner in scaling mental health awareness nationwide.
Speaking during the meeting, Ojeifo described the She Writes Woman initiative as a female-led organisation with over a decade of impact in mental health advocacy. She said the organisation focuses on three key areas: documenting lived experiences to challenge stigma and discrimination, providing care through a 24/7 toll-free tele-therapy helpline, and organising capacity-building programmes for affected individuals.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to collaborate on expanding public awareness, reducing stigma, and improving access to mental health support services across Nigeria.
