World Brain Day: FG Moves to Expand Access to Brain Health Services Nationwide
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a Brain Health Desk under the National Mental Health Programme and commence the development of Nigeria’s first National Brain Health Agenda to strengthen the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of neurological disorders across the country.
The announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom, mni, during the commemoration of World Brain Day 2026 held in Abuja on Wednesday with the theme, “Brain Health: Access for All.”
Kachollom described brain health as a critical component of Universal Health Coverage, stressing that every Nigerian, regardless of age, gender, income or location, should have access to quality brain health services.
She noted that neurological disorders affect more than 3.4 billion people globally and remain the leading cause of disability worldwide. According to her, Nigeria continues to witness a growing burden of conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injuries and neurodevelopmental disorders, many of which are worsened by mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.
She explained that the proposed Brain Health Desk would provide national leadership and coordination on brain health by driving policy development, advocacy, research, surveillance, capacity building and partnerships. The Desk will collaborate with government institutions, teaching hospitals, professional bodies, academic institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to improve service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that the National Brain Health Agenda would serve as a strategic roadmap for improving governance, expanding access to neurological care, strengthening the health workforce, promoting research and innovation, and enhancing multisectoral collaboration. She said the framework 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 healthcare priorities.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, Kachollom said efforts are ongoing to strengthen primary healthcare, improve access to quality health services, expand the health workforce and advance mental health services nationwide.
She further announced that World Brain Day would now be included in the Ministry’s annual national health commemorations calendar to sustain public awareness and advocacy on brain health.
Calling for greater collaboration, she urged healthcare professionals, academic institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, the media and all Nigerians to work together to reduce stigma, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage early diagnosis and improve access to rehabilitation services, essential medicines and assistive technologies for people living with neurological disorders.
According to her, investing in brain health is not only vital for improving health outcomes but is also essential for economic growth and national development.
“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,” she said.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s vision of ensuring equitable access to quality brain health services for all Nigerians while promoting early detection, effective treatment and compassionate care for people living with neurological disorders.
Earlier, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Charles Nzelu, described the event as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to promote brain health. He said the global theme, “Brain Health: Access for All,” underscores the need to guarantee equitable access to quality brain health services for every Nigerian.
Nzelu noted that neurological disorders have become one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges, with stroke remaining a leading cause of illness, death and long-term disability in Nigeria. He said the World Brain Day celebration provides an opportunity to raise awareness, strengthen partnerships and promote practical solutions to the country’s growing neurological disease burden.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr. Tunde Masseyferguson Ojo, acknowledged the Ministry’s commitment to advancing mental health and brain health initiatives in Nigeria.
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 formally marked the global event at the national level.
She commended the Ministry for aligning with the World Health Organization’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders and urged stakeholders to sustain the momentum through stronger policies, increased investment, expanded partnerships and improved access to quality neurological care across the country.
