The Federal Government has commenced the development of Nigeria’s first National Brain Health Agenda as part of efforts to strengthen brain health services, improve access to care and address neurological conditions across the country.
The announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom, during Nigeria’s first commemoration of World Brain Day in Abuja on Wednesday.
The event, themed “Brain Health: Access for All,” marked a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to prioritise brain health as a key component of national healthcare planning.
Kachollom said the National Brain Health Agenda would serve as a comprehensive framework for advancing brain health through stronger governance, increased investment, research, workforce development and collaboration among stakeholders.
“The National Brain Health Agenda will serve as Nigeria’s first comprehensive framework for advancing brain health across the life course by strengthening governance, informing investments, promoting research and innovation, expanding workforce capacity, improving access to quality services and fostering multisectoral collaboration,” she said.
She added that the framework would align Nigeria’s efforts with the World Health Organisation’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) 2022–2031.
“The Federal Government recognises that investing in brain health is not merely a health priority; it is an investment in Nigeria’s human capital, economic resilience and sustainable development,” Kachollom stated.
The Permanent Secretary also announced the creation of a Brain Health Desk under the National Mental Health Programme to coordinate national brain health policies and ensure sustained action.
“Institutionalising World Brain Day will sustain public awareness and strengthen coordinated national action on brain health,” she said.
Kachollom said the initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to improving health outcomes under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
“Strengthening brain health is critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring that Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services,” she added.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), represented at the event, disclosed that more than 4,000 primary healthcare workers had been trained to improve the identification, initial management and referral of neurological conditions.
The agency said the training was part of ongoing Primary Health Care Revitalisation efforts aimed at strengthening first-level healthcare delivery.
Representatives of partner organisations, including the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), CBM Global, the Brain and Spine Initiative and the Nigerian Society of Neurological Sciences (NSNS), commended Nigeria for marking World Brain Day for the first time.
They pledged continued collaboration with the government to expand access to quality brain and mental healthcare services.
The Federal Government said the development of the National Brain Health Agenda represents a major step towards building a coordinated national response to neurological disorders and improving the wellbeing of Nigerians.