Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a Brain Health Desk and develop Nigeria’s first National Brain Health Agenda as part of a major policy shift to tackle the rising burden of neurological disorders and improve access to care nationwide.Holidays & Seasonal Events
The initiative, announced by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom, during the commemoration of World Brain Day 2026 in Abuja, is aimed at strengthening prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care for brain-related conditions.
Kachollom described brain health as a critical pillar of Universal Health Coverage, stressing that access to quality services must be guaranteed for all Nigerians regardless of age, gender, income or location.Africans & Diaspora
She noted that neurological disorders affect over 3.4 billion people globally and remain the leading cause of disability, while Nigeria continues to grapple with a growing burden of conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injuries and neurodevelopmental disorders, often worsened by mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
According to her, the newly proposed Brain Health Desk will coordinate national efforts by driving policy development, partnerships, research, advocacy, capacity building and service delivery across institutions, including government agencies, teaching hospitals, academia, civil society and the private sector.
Kachollom further disclosed that the planned National Brain Health Agenda would provide a strategic framework to improve governance, expand access to neurological services, strengthen workforce capacity, and promote research and innovation. She added that the agenda would align with the World Health Organization’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) 2022–2031 while reflecting Nigeria’s specific priorities.
She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative to strengthening primary healthcare and advancing mental health services nationwide.Executive Branch
The Permanent Secretary also announced that World Brain Day would now be included in Nigeria’s annual national health commemorations calendar to boost awareness and public engagement.
Calling for collective action, she urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to reduce stigma, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage early diagnosis and expand access to rehabilitation services, essential medicines, and assistive technologies.Africans & Diaspora
“Investing in brain health is not only a health imperative; it is an economic imperative. By protecting brain health across the life course, we unlock human potential, strengthen productivity, and foster innovation,” she said.
Earlier, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Charles Nzelu described the event as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s growing neurological disease burden, noting that stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the country.Economics
He emphasised that brain health is essential for learning, productivity, healthy ageing, and national development, adding that the World Brain Day platform offers an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and promote practical solutions.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr. Tunde Masseyferguson Ojo commended the Ministry’s leadership in prioritising mental and brain health.Africans & Diaspora
In her goodwill message, the Founder of Brain and Spine Foundation Africa, Engineer Chika Okwuolisa, described the national commemoration as historic, noting that it marks Nigeria’s first formal observance of World Brain Day.
She urged sustained action through stronger policies, increased investment, and expanded access to quality neurological care, stressing that protecting brain health is vital to Nigeria’s productivity and economic growth.
The event, themed “Brain Health: Access for All,” brought together policymakers, health professionals, and development partners to advance dialogue and action on improving brain health outcomes in Nigeria.
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