The ACAMH Awards, hosted by the UK-based global mental health charity and professional body, celebrate exceptional contributions to child and adolescent mental health worldwide.

In this year’s Innovative Research, Training, or Practice in LMICs Award category, Asido Foundation and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India, emerged as joint winners.

Asido Foundation was recognised for its groundbreaking, multi-layered approach to mental health education and service delivery, which has made a significant difference across Nigerian communities.

According to Dr. Soumitra Datta, International Officer at ACAMH,

“Dr. Jibril and Asido Foundation have achieved remarkable success in promoting mental health literacy and well-being, particularly among children and adolescents in Nigeria. Asido Foundation has taken on the immense challenge of addressing stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health through advocacy and direct intervention. The innovative and impactful strategies implemented by Asido Foundation offer a replicable model with demonstrated impact, setting a new benchmark in youth mental health advocacy.”

Over the past five years, Asido Foundation has led impactful initiatives that continue to shape the landscape of mental health in Nigeria.

Milestones include successful advocacy for the Mental Health Bill, passed into law in 2023, training over 600 individuals in Psychological First Aid (PFA), and over 200 community engagements, reaching more than 300,000 people.

The Foundation’s multi-layered approach includes initiatives like the student-led Asido Campus Network, the annual Adolescent Bootcamp for Mental Health, and the Asido Kids Challenge, all of which target different age groups and needs across the youth demographic.

The impact of other landmark programmes, such as the “Unashamed Campaign” and Project Hope, which actively drive awareness and support for mental health across Nigeria, were contributing factors to the Foundation winning the Award.

Accepting the award, Dr. Jibril Abdumalik, CEO and Founder of Asido Foundation, expressed his gratitude, saying,

“This is a truly special honour and privilege. We recognise that our greatest challenges are ignorance, shame, and stigma which stand as barriers that prevent people from seeking help. Many young people suffer in silence, hidden away due to these misconceptions. Our mission is to break down these barriers so children and adolescents can access the care they need without shame or stigma. We view this recognition as a call to action, and we are deeply committed to doing even more in the future to support mental health in our communities.”

This latest accolade from ACAMH also highlights Asido Foundation’s commitment to making a tangible, lasting impact on mental health in Nigeria.

With a growing network of advocates and expanding programmes, Asido Foundation is poised to transform the mental health landscape in Nigeria.

Future initiatives will focus on integrating mental health into primary healthcare systems to make psychological support more accessible, especially in rural and underserved areas, as well as focusing on women’s mental health needs.

Mr. Meka Niyi Olowola, chairman of Asido Foundation, speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, expressed his delight at the global recognition of Asido Foundation’s work,

“Being recognised by ACAMH, a globally respected organisation, is a tremendous honour and a testament to our dedication to mental health advocacy in Nigeria. This award reinforces our vision to dismantle stigma, empower communities, and expand access to mental health resources for children and adolescents. It represents a crucial milestone in our journey toward a mentally resilient society.”

The appointment was made during a Board Meeting held on September 4, 2024, marking a new chapter in the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to transform mental health care across the country.

Mr Olowola, a renowned branding expert, sustainability advocate, and erstwhile Vice Chairman of the Foundation, assumes this critical leadership role, succeeding Alhaji Mashood Yusuf, who has served the Foundation with distinction. Mr Olowola’s deep commitment to mental health advocacy and his extensive experience in public relations, advertising, and corporate social responsibility make him an ideal leader for this crucial mission.

Other Board members include Prof. Taiwo I. Sheikh, Professor of Psychiatry at ABU Zaria; Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, Professor of Law; Dr. Omotola Abdulmalik, a respected university lecturer and physician; Prof. Ibrahim W. Abdu, CMD of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri; Dr. Olayinka Egbokhare, an award-winning author and communications expert; Arc. Biodun Fadayomi, a leading architect; Mr Babatunde Aina, a retired United Nations career officer; Mr Usman Abdulmalik, a retired banker; and Dr Zacheaus Olofin, a Pharmaceutical manager and Lecturer.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Olowola expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the board and all stakeholders for entrusting him with this role. “The Asido Foundation is more than an organisation; it is a movement—a beacon of hope in the often-overlooked realm of mental health in Nigeria. We have made remarkable strides, but our journey is far from over,” Olowola stated.

“As Chairperson, I am dedicated to building upon the successful foundation laid by the outgoing Chairman and ensuring that we continue to advocate for accessible and high-quality mental health services for all Nigerians. Together, we can challenge stigma, push for increased support and resources, and foster open discussions about mental health.”

Olowola emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing Nigeria’s mental health challenges, noting the alarming statistics from the World Health Organisation that 25-30% of Nigerians experience mental health conditions during their lifetime, yet over 80% do not receive the care they need. With only 250 psychiatrists serving a population of over 200 million, the Asido Foundation under Olowola’s leadership aims to tackle these critical issues head-on.

Dr Jibril Abdulmalik, CEO and Founder of the Asido Foundation congratulated Mr Olowola on his appointment and remarked, “Mr Olowola brings a wealth of experience and passion that will undoubtedly propel the Foundation’s mission forward. His leadership will be instrumental in our continued fight against stigma and our efforts to provide mental health care to all Nigerians. We are confident that under his chairmanship, the Asido Foundation will continue to make significant strides in mental health advocacy.”

Over the past five years, the Asido Foundation has led significant mental health advocacy initiatives, including the successful championing of the Mental Health Bill, signed into law in 2023. The Foundation has also organised over 200 community dialogues, trained over 600 individuals in Psychological First Aid (PFA), and facilitated mental health sensitisation rallies that reached over 300,000 people across Nigeria. Asido Foundation continues to be at the forefront of mental health advocacy, with ongoing projects such as the “Unashamed Campaign,” Project Hope, and the expansion of the Asido Campus Networks.

Recently, Mr Olowola led the Foundation on an advocacy visit to the Attorney General and Honourable Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN where it sought support for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria and urged backing for the implementation of the Mental Health Act, which is crucial for protecting the human rights of individuals with mental disorders. Mr Olowola’s leadership is expected to build on these successes and drive the Foundation to even greater heights.

The appointment was conveyed in a letter issued on February 15, 2024, by the foundation and signed by Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, the founder.

The investiture was held on  Monday, February 26, in Ibadan during the 4th edition of Jemilah Abubakar Memorial Essay and Award Ceremony at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

Speaking during the investiture, Dr. Abdulmalik explained that the choice of Adisa as a mental health ambassador is in recognition of his impactful work in the communications sector, commitment to excellence, innovation and his passion for social impact.

He stressed that the foundation recognises him as a significant influence that would significantly contribute to the collective efforts in addressing mental health challenges in Nigeria.

“Your acceptance to serve as Mental Health Ambassador would be a profound honour for the Asido Foundation. We believe you can inspire positive change and contribute to breaking down barriers surrounding mental health issues. Your role as an Ambassador would involve advocating for mental health awareness and destigmatisation, especially among the youth,” he said.

In his acceptance remarks Lanre Adisa expressed his profound appreciation to the board of Asido Foundation for finding him worthy as an Ambassador for mental health. He noted that he is humbled by the honour, promising to live up to the responsibilities expected of him.

“I am very excited and humbled to take up this role, considering what people under this circumstance go through. I want to assure you that I will do everything within my capacity to join Asido Foundation in working in the best interest of persons battling with mental health issues,” he said.

Adisa, a distinguished alumnus of the University of Ilorin, has been instrumental in the growth of major brands in Nigeria, directing the creation of exciting advertising campaigns, including popularthe  Airtel ads that could easily pass as short films. Adisa was the former Chairman of the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) Management Board.

The Asido Foundation is a charity-based organisation focused on providing evidence-based information, specially tailored advocacy efforts, and interventions with the long-term view of contributing towards filling the mental health needs of the Nigerian populace.

The Foundation believes that it should no longer be acceptable for persons with mental disorders to lack access to quality care or be ignorant of how and where to access care. Their dignity and human rights should always be protected and respected.

There should be no more shame or stigma associated with mental illness than is related to physical ailments.