Nigeria has launched its first public-facing Mental Health Policy Commitment Tracker, a digital platform designed to independently monitor implementation of the country’s mental health laws and policies amid concerns over slow progress in carrying out key reforms.

Developed by advocacy organisation Nigerian Mental Health (NMH), the tracker was officially launched virtually on Monday after an initial public unveiling in May.

NMH announced the launch in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.

According to the organisation, the platform enables policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations and members of the public to monitor progress on commitments under the National Mental Health Act and related policies, including mental health financing, workforce development, treatment access and state-level reforms.

Why the tracker matters

Late President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Mental Health Bill into law in January 2023 after two failed legislative attempts dating back to 2003. 

The legislation replaced the outdated Lunacy Act and marked a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to mental healthcare by strengthening the rights of people living with mental health conditions and providing for institutions such as a Department of Mental Health Services and a Mental Health Fund.

However, more than three years later, implementation of several provisions of the law has remained slow.

According to NMH, key institutional structures required under the Act, including the Department of Mental Health, have yet to be fully established. 

The organisation also said the federal government missed its December 2025 target to fully decriminalise attempted suicide, while implementation of the 2023 National Mental Health Policy and the country’s first Suicide Prevention Policy Framework has been limited.

It said these implementation gaps informed the development of the tracker, which is intended to independently verify whether mental health commitments are being translated into concrete action.

Speaking at the launch, NMH founder Chime Asonye said policy commitments should be accompanied by measurable implementation.

“Visibility must be matched by measurable execution,” he said, adding that the platform is designed to ensure commitments lead to tangible legal, institutional and service delivery outcomes.

According to NMH, the tracker serves as a public dashboard that aggregates government data, legislative updates, budget documents, verified stakeholder submissions and community-reported evidence.

Each policy commitment is assigned an implementation status, such as “Not Started, In Progress, Delayed or Completed”, allowing users to monitor progress across the federal and state levels.

The platform tracks regulatory milestones under the National Mental Health Act, as well as governance structures, budget allocations, workforce capacity, access to treatment, affordability and broader rights-based reforms.

Stakeholders back initiative

The launch brought together government officials, policymakers, researchers, civil society organisations, development partners, media practitioners and representatives of the creative industry.

Among the organisations supporting the initiative are Lagos Mind, Mind Over Matters NG, Stilt NG, Our Beta Life, the Mental Health Transformation Organisation (MHT) and Hevolve Foundation.

Mental health advocate and musician Hadiza Blell-Olo, popularly known as Di’ja, urged public figures to move beyond raising awareness by supporting partnerships that strengthen mental health reforms, noting that the tracker provides a framework for improving policy accountability.

Also speaking, the National Mental Health Coordinator at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Tunde Ojo, said independent accountability mechanisms can help strengthen implementation and improve service delivery.

NMH said the platform is open to policymakers, practitioners, researchers and members of the public, who can submit verified implementation updates and feedback to improve transparency and support mental health reforms across the country.

From passionate fans gathering at newspaper stands every morning to catch up on the latest sports stories to lively viewing centres where supporters cheer their favourite teams, sports continue to unite Nigerians through shared passion and excitement.

Here are the biggest sports headlines making the front pages of Nigeria’s leading newspapers today.

Read Also: Nigerian Newspaper Sports Headlines Today – Monday, June 29, 2026 | Sports247 Nigeria

Sporting Life

Zimbabwe’s, Bafana’s Draws Cost Nigeria

Chelle says: ‘Those two dropped points hurt us’

Did Portugal Make A Mistake With Ronaldo?

Martinelli’s Last-Gasp Strike Sends Selecao To Round Of 16

Germany Out Of The World Cup

France Vs Sweden: Thuram Out Of Round Of 32 Clash

Barcelona Open Shock Talks To Sign Kane

Maduka Okoye Attracts Besiktas’ Interest

Akpokona’s Death Shakes Sunshine Stars’ Management

Coventry City Sign Onyeka

Caicedo Named As Ecuador’s New Captain

Eric Chelle Highlights: Lookman Was Aware I Was Watching

Wright, Neville Tear Into Saka

Daily Sun

Chelle Vows To Keep Watch On Super Eagles Players

Man City Appoints Maresca As New Manager

FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: D’Tigers Recall Five, 12-Man Squad Unveiled

CAF Ag. Secretary-General Hails NFF Legacy Projects

DavNotch Announces Prize Money Increase For Annual Tournament

Fortune FA Reigns Supreme In Epic U-13 Cup Final

Golf: Otu Dedicates June Monthly Mug Triumph To Udo

Vanguard

Chelle Hurts By Nigeria’s Missed World Cup Dream

Amusan Wins Paris Diamond League 100m Hurdles

Besiktas Join Juventus In Race For Okoye

World Cup Qualifiers: Metu, Okoye, Agada Return Boost D’Tigers

Nigerians Celebrate South Africa W/Cup Exit

Maresca: Man City Pay £17m To Chelsea

World Cup Exit: Saudi Arabia Federation Chief Quits

Daily Trust

2026 W’Cup: Brazil Come From Behind To Knockout Japan

Man City Hire Maresca To Start New Era After Guardiola

Besiktas Set €8m Price Tag For Ndidi Amid Dutch, Saudi, EPL Interest

Yabatech Sports Complex To Host Dynamic Athletics Meet

Punch

CAF Opens Race For Substantive Secretary-General Role

DavNotch Increases National Tennis Tourney Prize Money

Brazil Leave It Late To Eliminate Japan

The Nation

Kalou Faults FIFA On World Cup Hydration Break

Last-Gasp Brazil Edge Japan To Reach Last 16

Fae: Elephants To Play With Hearts In Norway Test

DavNotch Raises Prize Money For Annual Tennis Championship

Man City Hire Enzo Maresca

Badamasi Hails NFF Over Hostel, Training Pitch Project

Eyes On Serena At Wimbledon Return

Standard Times

EPL: Manchester City Appoint Enzo Maresca As New Manager

South Korea Fans Boo Outgoing Coach Hong After World Cup Exit

World Cup: Brazil Fight Back With Stoppage-Time Winner To Eliminate Japan

Cape Verde Captain Faces Rape Investigation

FIFA World Cup

Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 and book a place in the Round of 16 through Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner.

Paraguay knocked Germany out on penalties to qualify for the Round of 16.

France will face Sweden after Marcus Thuram was ruled out of the Round of 32 clash.

Portugal’s handling of Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate debate after their latest World Cup outing.

Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes ended after costly draws against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Transfer Watch

Maduka Okoye: Besiktas join the race for the Super Eagles goalkeeper.

Wilfred Ndidi: Besiktas set an €8 million valuation amid interest from Dutch, Saudi and Premier League clubs.

Harry Kane: Barcelona open shock talks to sign the England captain.

David Onyeka: Coventry City complete a permanent move.

Enzo Maresca: Officially appointed Manchester City manager.

Sports247 Take

Tuesday’s newspaper headlines are dominated by Brazil’s dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Japan, with Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner sending the Selecao into the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. On the domestic scene, Eric Chelle’s reaction to Nigeria’s failed World Cup qualification, Tobi Amusan’s Diamond League triumph, and fresh transfer interest in Maduka Okoye and Wilfred Ndidi feature prominently across the back pages. Off the pitch, Manchester City’s appointment of Enzo Maresca, CAF’s Secretary-General race, and DavNotch’s increased prize money for its annual tennis tournament also make today’s newspaper headlines.