The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, is expected to lead policymakers, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders at the fourth Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos.
The event is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme, “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria,” and the sub-theme, “Mental Health in a Digital Age: Navigating Social Media, Technology and Wellbeing.”
The summit will examine mental health challenges affecting young Nigerians, including substance use, addiction, trauma, early intervention and access to treatment. Other areas of discussion will include the impact of social media and technology, cyberbullying, online pressure, misinformation, digital addiction and social isolation.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, is the Chief Host, while the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, are expected as Special Guests of Honour.
The programme will feature contributions from psychiatrists, medical professionals, academics, government officials, civil society organisations, development partners, youth groups and media representatives. The President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria, Dr Veronica Nyamali, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while the President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. Omoti Ernest, will speak on youth mental health policy and practice.
Other speakers include Dr Daniel Ikpechukwu of Gracious Health Services, Georgia, USA; Dr Oluwafemi Oluwatayo of The Retreat Hospital, Ikorodu; Prof. Taiwo Lateef Sheikh of LifeLine International; and Prof. Mashudat Bello-Mojeed, Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health.
A panel discussion will also examine the question of responsibility for young people’s mental health, involving families, schools, communities, healthcare providers, government, media and technology platforms. The event will also feature a performance by the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, Lagos State University of Education, LASUED.
The summit builds on the third edition held in 2025, which focused on suicide prevention. Vanguard said the 2026 edition will place greater emphasis on young people, digital technology, wellbeing, early intervention and access to mental healthcare.
Source: VANGUARD
