NSNS seek stronger policy support for brain health in Nigeria
By Abujah Racheal
The Nigerian Society for Neurological Sciences (NSNS) has called for the inclusion of central nervous system (CNS) trauma in Nigeria’s primary healthcare strategy, citing the increasing burden of neurological diseases in the country.
The Vice President of NSNS, Prof. Abdullahi Jimoh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Jimoh, who is also a Professor of Neurosurgery at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, highlighted the society’s commitment to brain health advocacy, education, and prevention.
He noted that neurological conditions, ranging from traumatic brain injuries to adolescent mental health challenges, were on the rise but remained largely hidden due to stigma, especially when experienced by prominent individuals.
“Neurological diseases are more common than people realise, but patients are often hidden away due to stigma. It’s time to bring these issues to the forefront,” he said.
Jimoh added that the NSNS, with decades of advocacy experience, had reaffirmed its mission to champion awareness.
He said the society was focused on adolescent health, suicide prevention, and traumatic brain injury, central themes of the 2025 World Brain Day campaign.
He also referenced a communiqué issued after the society’s 2025 Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) in Benin, which called for the establishment of National Neurological Institutes across all 36 states.
He said the institutes would serve as centres of excellence for research, education, and care delivery in neurological health.
Jimoh emphasised the need for integrated community education and preventive strategies, explaining that the society was expanding its advocacy efforts across markets, schools, and local government areas to demystify brain and spine-related conditions.
“We must begin to treat CNS trauma as a primary healthcare concern. It’s not just a specialist issue, it’s a community issue,” he stressed.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), brain health is defined as the ability of the brain to function well in memory, learning, emotions, and movement throughout life. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Abiemwense Moru
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