Top: (C), Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah and her visitors
Below: (C), In long gown, Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah flanked by her visitors
From our news desk, Benin
The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has expressed its readiness to collaborate on community mental health nursing.
Towards this, the Ministry is looking to explore ways possible; for partnerships with
the College of Nursing Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), and the Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom.
Advertisement
Expectedly, the partnership would help to strengthen mental healthcare delivery.
This was contained in a press release by Daisy Osunde, director of media in the Ministry, and made available to journalists in Benin on Thursday, 9 July, 2026.
The commitment was made when the Provost of the College of Nursing Sciences, UBTH, Mrs. Abieyuwa Eweka led a delegation of senior lecturers from the Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, in Benin City.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mrs. Eweka said the visit was to explore areas of collaboration with the Ministry; aimed at addressing mental health challenges through Community Mental Health Nursing.
She explained; that while nursing education in Nigeria currently offers Public Health Nursing and Mental Health Nursing as separate specialties, there is no dedicated programme in Community Mental Health Nursing.
Mrs. Eweka posited that equipping nurses with community-based mental healthcare skills, would bridge existing gaps in service delivery, ensure patients receive holistic care within their communities, and facilitate their successful reintegration into society.
Also speaking, Dr. Chinyere Ihejieto, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at the Leeds Beckett University, said although the visiting team was in Nigeria on a different assignment, discussions with the UBTH Provost highlighted the need for a collaborative approach, to community mental healthcare.
She proposed the establishment of a pilot team comprising 10 nurses of five Public Health Nurses; and five Mental Health Nurses to pioneer the initiative.
Dr. Ihejieto assured the ministry of the University’s commitment to provide technical support by developing operational guidelines, sharing best practices, and introducing frameworks currently used in the United Kingdom to strengthen Community Mental Health Nursing.
She noted that the approach seeks to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, by shifting care from institutional settings to community and home-based support systems, allowing individuals living with mental health conditions to receive care within familiar environments.
Senior Lecturers from the Leeds Beckett University, Caroline Key and Louisa Morley, further emphasized that Community Mental Health Nursing goes beyond treatment and management of mental illness.
According to them, the model focuses on prevention, early intervention, identifying the root causes of mental health challenges, and promoting sustainable community wellbeing.
They added; that as academics, they are committed to making meaningful global impact by sharing knowledge, research, and practical experiences.
Responding after extensive deliberations, the Honourable Commissioner, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah welcomed the proposed partnership, describing it as a timely initiative that aligns with the ministry’s commitment to improving mental health services in Edo State.
She appreciated the visiting team for their willingness to share their expertise and wealth of experience in Community Mental Health Nursing, stating that the ministry has continued to implement interventions aimed at supporting persons living with mental health conditions.
Advertisement
Mrs. Abdallah explained; that the ministry operates an established intervention framework through which mentally challenged persons are identified, counselled, and referred to appropriate treatment facilities where necessary.
She added; that beneficiaries also receive psychosocial support, orientation, and upon full recovery and certification by medical professionals, are successfully reintegrated into society.
Where applicable, they are further empowered through skills acquisition programmes to promote self-reliance.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s openness to capacity-building initiatives and professional training that would strengthen mental healthcare services in the State.
She stressed, that the Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, remains deeply committed to safeguarding the health, dignity, and overall wellbeing of every resident.
At the end of the deliberations, both parties expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would pave the way for improved community-based mental healthcare, enhanced professional capacity, and better outcomes for individuals living with mental health conditions across Edo State.
Sponsored Content
About the Author
