Mental health everyone’s right, strong regulation is crucial – NAFDAC DG
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that effective and accountable regulation of psychotropic drugs is crucial for establishing public confidence and guaranteeing safe mental health care access in Nigeria.

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that effective and accountable regulation of psychotropic drugs is crucial for establishing public confidence and guaranteeing safe mental health care access in Nigeria.
In her address at the Vanguard’s 3rd Mental Health Summit on Friday at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, Prof. Adeyeye highlighted that supervision of controlled substances must be strictly enforced alongside mental health services to avoid misuse and ensure that safe, effective medications are accessible. “Mental well-being allows individuals to manage the pressures of daily life. NAFDAC’s purpose transcends mere regulation; it is fundamentally about saving lives,” she asserted.
She reiterated that mental health constitutes a fundamental human right that every Nigerian deserves, emphasizing that no citizen should be refused care or feel humiliated for seeking assistance. “Mental health is a fundamental human right — every Nigerian deserves it,” she remarked.
Prof. Adeyeye observed that stigma is a significant obstacle to accessing mental health care, hindering numerous individuals from obtaining medical assistance even with effective medications available. “Many shy away from mental health medications due to stigma. There are treatments available for depression, anxiety, and other conditions,” she explained.
She cautioned that inadequate regulation could result in drug abuse and errors in medication use, while effective regulation promotes public safety and fosters trust in mental health services. “Ineffective regulations can contribute to drug misuse and abuse. Proper regulation secures safety,” she stated, highlighting that cooperation between various sectors is vital in fulfilling national objectives related to drug regulation and mental health promotion. “Cooperation is essential across sectors. We must unite to achieve the nation's goals of curbing drug abuse,” she further noted.
Emphasizing NAFDAC’s forward-thinking efforts, Prof. Adeyeye mentioned the agency's initiative called Catch Them Young — a program designed to foster early education and awareness concerning drug misuse and mental health among the youth. “NAFDAC runs a program titled Catch Them Young. In addition to visiting places like this, we reach out to schools nationwide to educate children. This way, each child acts as an ambassador to discuss drug abuse, tackle stigma, and collaborate with faith-based organizations to foster a stigma-free milieu for raising mental health awareness,” she elaborated.
She stressed that diminishing stigma surrounding mental health and motivating the youth to articulate their struggles and seek assistance are vital steps towards cultivating a healthier and more resilient community.
Prof. Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s dedication to safeguarding lives through transparent, evidence-based regulations and partnerships with entities from both public and private sectors to ensure that all Nigerians have safe access to psychotropic medications.
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