Beyond the Mental Health Act: How an AI App Is Filling Nigeria’s Therapy Gap 

On the surface, John, a 24-year-old full-stack web developer, looks fine. But beneath that calm exterior, he is mentally drained. Earning just N70,000 monthly, John struggles under the weight of financial pressure and responsibility as a young Nigerian trying to survive. Although he knows he needs help, he does not seek professional support, citing the high cost of therapy and the stigma surrounding mental health in Nigeria.

John’s experience reflects a broader national reality. The World Health Organization estimates that over 20 million Nigerians live with mental illness, yet cultural silence continues to discourage many, especially young people from seeking help. A 2024 study by the Center for Policy Impact in Global Health finds that stigma and discrimination remain widespread, with mental illness often viewed as weakness or a curse, fostering silence and isolation.

Nigeria’s mental health crisis is further compounded by systemic challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in a country of over 200 million people, Nigeria has only 250 psychiatrists. Socio-economic pressures, poverty, unemployment, and rising living costs, worsen the burden, contributing to an estimated 15,000 suicide deaths as of 2025.

In January 2023, Nigeria took a historic step when former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Mental Health Act into law, the country’s first since independence. The Act promises a Mental Health Services Department and a Mental Health Fund to support care delivery. However, nearly two years later, implementation remains stalled.

“There are so many things in the Act that would improve care,” says Taiwo Obindo, President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria. “Yet, not even one provision has been fully implemented.”

An Emerging Tech Solution

Amid this policy vacuum, technology begins to fill the gap. In 2022, Esther Eruchie launched FriendnPal, an AI-powered mobile application designed to provide accessible mental health support tailored for Africans, before the Mental Health Act was even signed.

FriendnPal offers personalized support through an AI chatbot, multilingual options in African dialects, peer-support communities, and access to licensed therapists. The platform prioritizes anonymity, allowing users to seek help without fear of judgment or disclosure.

“One of the first things we address is stigma,” Eruchie explains. “Users can access support anonymously, and they can communicate in their local languages, Yoruba, Igbo, Swahili, breaking both social and language barriers.”

For users like John, the experience is transformative. He describes the multilingual feature as comforting and relatable. “Seeing the bot reply in Yoruba makes me smile,” he says. “It feels human. It helps without condemnation,” added John.

Another user, Elizabeth, says FriendnPal helps her through a deeply traumatic period marked by personal and financial loss. A free therapy session, she says, helps her reframe her emotions and cope. “Maybe all I need is to pour out how I feel,” she reflects.

She also praises the chatbot’s practical guidance, recalling how it helps her identify caffeine intake as the reason she cannot sleep one night. Still, she believes the platform needs greater visibility so more people can benefit.

Growing Use, Lingering Gaps

Since its launch, over 1,000 users across Africa engage with FriendnPal, and more than 300 therapy sessions are conducted. However, the app is currently available only on Android devices via the Google Play Store.

Public health communicator Bakare Temidayo, initially skeptical, now uses the app regularly. He praises its daily affirmations and mental health tools but suggests adding voice and audio features to better serve users who are more comfortable speaking than typing.

AI, Policy, and the Future of Mental Healthcare

Globally, AI increasingly shapes healthcare delivery. Microsoft projects that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could add $1.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, increasing the continent’s GDP by 5.6%. Meanwhile, the Science for Africa Foundation announced $2.4 million in AI-health funding in 2023. Yet, experts warn that sustainability depends on government involvement.

According to Chime Asonye, founder of Nigerian Mental Health, the Mental Health Act addresses critical issues but fails to bridge the gap between policy and practice. He emphasizes the need to decriminalize attempted suicide and enforce data protection regulations, especially as AI tools expand.

“There is currently no specific regulatory framework for mental health AI tools in Nigeria,” Asonye notes, raising concerns about data privacy and ethical use.

Despite these challenges, Asonye believes AI platforms like FriendnPal hold immense promise, from early diagnosis to treatment adherence and improved access in underserved areas.

Until Nigeria fully implements its Mental Health Act, platforms like FriendnPal remain a vital lifeline tool for millions navigating mental health challenges in silence.