An Appraisal of Mental Health Legislations Vis-À-Vis Provisions of Mental Health Care in Nigeria

Authors

  • Augustine U. Amadasun Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, College of Law, Western Delta University, Ogharra, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Anthony Etuvoata Faculty of Law, Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State

Keywords:

Legislation, Mental Health, Provisions

Abstract

Recently, precisely January 5, 2023, the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu
Buhari, GCON, signed into law, the extant Mental Health Act, 2023 to replace the defunct Lunacy
Act, 1916, which was introduced into the country as a statute of General Application in Nigeria
and also the subsequent 1958 Act. This paper x-rays the various mental health legislations that
have existed in Nigeria till date. It also provides an insight into the provision of mental health care
in various forms including both the traditional and orthodox modes and available facilities. The
discourse also provides several failed attempts or efforts made by government, organizations, and
even professionals at providing a contemporary and universally acceptable mental health
legislation for the Nation. It highlights some flaws in the previous Acts which needed to be
reformed. Finally, the paper advocates for a more frequent reform of our mental health legislation
that will meet both the aspirations of persons with mental health disorders and international
standards in accordance with the requirements of the World Health governing body, the World
Health Organization (WHO).
 

Author Biographies

Augustine U. Amadasun, Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, College of Law, Western Delta University, Ogharra, Delta State, Nigeria

Dr. Augustine U. Amadasun, (Ph.D.), Lecturer, Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, College of Law, Western Delta University, Ogharra, Delta State, Nigeria

Anthony Etuvoata, Faculty of Law, Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State

Anthony Etuvoata, PhD. Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Department of International Law and Jurisprudence,
Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State. 

Downloads

Published

2023-11-07

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2023): NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF COMMERCIAL AND PROPERTY LAW

Section

Articles