Uyo, Nigeria — The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the legislative body of the coastal state in southern Nigeria, has officially passed a bill to establish a specialized Mental Health Services Department. This new legislative framework is designed to regulate and enhance the delivery of psychiatric care throughout the state, effectively replacing a statute that has been in place for over 110 years.
The bill successfully underwent its third and final reading on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, during a plenary session held at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Chamber within the Government House in Uyo. The passage followed a comprehensive report presented by Moses Essien, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health. This legislative move is significant as it modernizes the state’s medical legal framework, moving away from the outdated Lunacy Law of 1916, which was a relic of the British colonial era.
This development matters because it shifts the state’s approach from custodial oversight to a rights-based medical model. Moses Essien explained that the new law is designed to protect the fundamental rights of individuals living with intellectual, psychosocial, and cognitive disabilities. Furthermore, it aims to improve public access to high-quality mental healthcare, rehabilitation services, and community-based treatments rather than just institutionalization.
Under the new provisions, the state will implement strict guidelines regarding patient consent for treatment. The law also grants the Commissioner for Health, the senior official overseeing the state’s medical sector, the authority to create specific regulations that will govern how mental health services are managed. Okay News reports that the legislative process included a public hearing on Monday, March 23, 2026, where medical experts and stakeholders contributed to the final document.
The residents of Akwa Ibom State, particularly those requiring psychological support and their families, are the primary beneficiaries of this reform. By providing a structured and humane approach to emotional and psychological well-being, the government aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Following the motion for passage moved by Jerry Otu and seconded by Prince Aniefiok Attah, Speaker Udeme Otong directed the Clerk of the House, Nsiakak Orok, to send the document to the State Governor for his final signature, or assent, to make it law.
