Emmanuel Daudu
With a call for renewed commitment to youth well-being, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged Nigeria to scale up investment and coordinated action in adolescent health, as the nation joins the global community to commemorate the 2025 International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW).
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, Dr. Mary Brantuo commended the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, and youth-led organizations for their dedication to improving the health and development of young Nigerians.
“Your commitment to improving adolescent health and well-being in Nigeria is truly commendable,” Dr. Brantuo stated, speaking at the event held on the 6th Floor of the Ministerial Conference Room, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja.
Dr. Brantuo highlighted that adolescents aged 10–19 constitute about 30 million of Nigeria’s population, facing multifaceted health challenges including mental health issues, limited physical activity, and inadequate access to tailored healthcare services.
She revealed that mental health disorders affect 10–20% of adolescents globally, with most conditions beginning between ages 11 and 18. However, in Nigeria, low literacy, stigma, and poor service availability exacerbate the problem.
“Depression and psychosis remain among the most common mental health conditions affecting Nigerian youth,” she noted, attributing the rising trend to factors such as substance use, poverty, unemployment, and weakened family support systems.
The WHO representative emphasized the urgent need for integrated, people-centered adolescent health services covering promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care.
She called for cross-sectoral collaboration involving schools, communities, parents, and policymakers to create safe spaces for young people and promote both physical and mental resilience.
“By promoting resilience, we nurture a generation that is not just surviving, but flourishing,” she said.
Dr. Brantuo reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme, and in implementing the WHO Regional Framework for Mental Health, which targets 80% of countries having strong mental health and psychosocial support systems by 2030.
“Together, we can ensure that physical and mental health support is available when it is most needed offering hope and healing to all adolescents and young people,” she concluded.
The International Adolescent Health Week is a global initiative that spotlights the health and development needs of young people, with this year’s commemoration aligning with World Mental Health Day October 10 a reminder of the urgent need to invest in the mental and physical well-being of Nigeria’s next generaton
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