FG Unveils National Brain Health Initiative, Sets Up Dedicated Desk to Tackle Rising Neurological Disorders

By Pan Afric Reporters 

The Federal Government has announced a major policy shift aimed at strengthening neurological healthcare in Nigeria with plans to establish a Brain Health Desk under the National Mental Health Programme and develop the country’s first National Brain Health Agenda to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care of neurological disorders.

The initiative was unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare during the commemoration of World Brain Day 2026 in Abuja under the theme, “Brain Health: Access for All,” as the government reaffirmed its commitment to making quality brain health services accessible to every Nigerian.

The announcement was contained in a press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, on July 22, 2026.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Daju Kachollom, mni, described brain health as a critical pillar of Universal Health Coverage, stressing that access to quality neurological services should not depend on age, gender, income or geographical location.

She noted that neurological disorders now affect more than 3.4 billion people worldwide, making them the leading cause of disability globally, while Nigeria continues to witness a growing burden from conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injuries and neurodevelopmental disorders.

According to her, the establishment of the Brain Health Desk marks a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s institutional response to neurological diseases.

The Brain Health Desk will coordinate policy development, advocacy, partnerships, research, surveillance, capacity building and service delivery while working closely with teaching hospitals, professional associations, academia, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector.

Kachollom disclosed that the Ministry would also commence the development of Nigeria’s first National Brain Health Agenda, which will serve as a strategic framework for expanding access to neurological care, strengthening healthcare workforce capacity, promoting research and innovation and enhancing collaboration across sectors.

She explained that the proposed agenda would align with the World Health Organization’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) 2022–2031, while addressing Nigeria’s unique health priorities.

The Permanent Secretary 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, expanding quality health services, improving the health workforce and advancing mental healthcare nationwide.

She also announced that World Brain Day would henceforth become part of the Ministry’s annual national health commemorations calendar to sustain public awareness and advocacy on neurological health.

Calling for stronger national collaboration, Kachollom urged professional bodies, academic institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, the media, traditional and religious leaders as well as the private sector to support efforts aimed at reducing stigma, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging early diagnosis and expanding access to rehabilitation services and essential medicines.

“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, foster innovation and lay the foundation for a thriving brain economy. Every investment we make in brain health is an investment in people, in families and in the future of our nation,” she said.

She reiterated the Ministry’s vision of building a Nigeria where every citizen enjoys equitable access to quality brain health services and where neurological disorders are prevented wherever possible, detected early, treated effectively and managed with dignity and compassion.

Earlier, the Director of the Public Health Department, Dr. Charles Nzelu, described the event as a landmark in Nigeria’s public health journey, emphasizing that brain health remains fundamental to learning, productivity, healthy ageing, social participation and national development.

“Every Nigerian, irrespective of age, gender, socioeconomic status or geographical location, deserves equitable access to quality brain health services,” Nzelu stated.

He observed that neurological disorders, particularly stroke, remain among the country’s leading causes of illness, disability and death, stressing that World Brain Day provides an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and promote practical solutions to Nigeria’s growing neurological disease burden.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr. Tunde Masseyferguson Ojo, acknowledged the Ministry’s sustained leadership in advancing mental health and brain health initiatives across the country.

In her goodwill message, the Founder of Brain and Spine Foundation Africa, Engineer Chika Okwuolisa, described the official commemoration of World Brain Day by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare as a historic milestone, noting that it was the first time Nigeria had formally marked the global event at the national level.

She commended the Ministry for aligning Nigeria’s brain health initiatives with the WHO Global Action Plan and called for sustained investment, stronger policies and expanded partnerships to improve access to neurological care.

“Protecting brain health is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s productivity, economic growth and future,” Okwuolisa said, urging stakeholders to transform the World Brain Day celebration into concrete and sustained action.