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AHERI, Advocacy for Healing, Empowerment and Resilience Initiative
In force · Signed 5 January 2023 · AHERI GEIST

National Mental Health Act 2021

The law that protects the rights of people living with mental health conditions and puts mental health care into the public health system.

Key provisions

1Replaces the Lunacy Act of 1958.
2Protects people living with mental health conditions from abuse, chaining and discrimination.
3Gives a right to care and treatment, with the person's informed consent wherever possible.
4Brings mental health care into public health facilities, including primary health care.
5Sets rules and safeguards for when a person may be admitted for care without their consent.
6Creates a national lead for mental health within the Federal Ministry of Health.

Where it stands across Nigeria

This is a federal law. It applies in all 36 states and the FCT.

Abia State: The law appliesAdamawa State: The law appliesAkwa Ibom State: The law appliesAnambra State: The law appliesBauchi State: The law appliesBayelsa State: The law appliesBenue State: The law appliesBorno State: The law appliesCross River State: The law appliesDelta State: The law appliesEbonyi State: The law appliesEdo State: The law appliesEkiti State: The law appliesEnugu State: The law appliesGombe State: The law appliesImo State: The law appliesJigawa State: The law appliesKaduna State: The law appliesKano State: The law appliesKatsina State: The law appliesKebbi State: The law appliesKogi State: The law appliesKwara State: The law appliesLagos State: The law appliesNasarawa State: The law appliesNiger State: The law appliesOgun State: The law appliesOndo State: The law appliesOsun State: The law appliesOyo State: The law appliesPlateau State: The law appliesRivers State: The law appliesSokoto State: The law appliesTaraba State: The law appliesYobe State: The law appliesZamfara State: The law appliesFederal Capital Territory: The law applies
Tap or hover over a state to see its name and status.
The law applies 37 of 37
All 36 states and the FCT
The law applies (37)
What it means for you

No one may be abused, chained or discriminated against because of a mental health condition. You have a right to care.

How AHERI uses this law

AHERI GEIST uses this law in Safe Minds in Schools and in our advocacy for a counsellor in every school.

SourcesNational Mental Health Act 2021AHERI law tracker, last checked 28 September 2026
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