Psychiatric Practice in Nigeria

Abstract Objective: Nigeria has the largest population among all countries in Africa, with over 200 million people and various ethnic tribes and languages in the country. In this review, the author intended to highlight the trajectory of mental health services, psychiatry postgraduate training, mental health laws, and the epidemiology of common mental disorders in Nigeria. Methods: The author reviewed relevant literature concerning the history of Nigeria, the forerunners of psychiatric practice in Nigeria, psychiatry training under the auspices of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, mental health services, psychiatric disorders, and mental health legislation in Nigeria. Results: An overview of the geography, demography, and history of Nigeria was done. Psychiatry training, common mental disorders, and mental health laws in Nigeria were also examined by the author in this review. Then, the history of psychiatric practice in Nigeria, its current challenges, prospects, and future directions were discussed. Conclusion: Despite the giant strides in Nigeria’s psychiatric practice over the years, there is still room for improvement in the areas of mental health advocacy, public education, psychiatry training, mental health service delivery, and mental health legislation.