Babcock University Symposium Integrates Faith and Mental Health Science
Amid a growing public health crisis, Babcock University recently convened the sixth edition of its Faith Integration (IFI) Symposium to address the escalating mental health challenges facing Nigeria.
Held at the Babcock Business School auditorium, the event, themed “Healing Body and Soul: Faith-Informed Approaches in Psychology and Mental Health,” brought together a diverse coalition of healthcare professionals, clergy, academics, and students.
The gathering sought to bridge the gap between spiritual care and clinical practice, offering a holistic framework for a country where mental health remains a deeply misunderstood and under-resourced sector.
The scale of the challenge in Nigeria is significant. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that more than 20 percent of Nigeria’s population—exceeding 40 million individuals—are affected by various mental health conditions.
Despite the prevalence of these issues, fewer than 10 percent of those affected receive adequate professional treatment. This treatment gap is driven by a combination of limited medical infrastructure, a shortage of trained mental health practitioners, and persistent social stigma that often labels mental illness as a spiritual failing rather than a medical condition.
Organized under the leadership of Prof. Constance Nwosu, Special Adviser to the President/Vice Chancellor on AAA/IBE/IFL, the symposium positioned faith-informed care not as a replacement for science, but as a critical complement to it.
Dr. Olaniyi Arije, Vice President for Advancement and Development, opened the proceedings by highlighting that mental health is foundational to collective national wellbeing.
He noted that forums integrating different disciplinary perspectives are essential for developing solutions that resonate with the cultural and spiritual values of the population.
A central theme of the discussions was the deconstruction of the perceived conflict between religious belief and psychiatric medicine.
Dr. Adebola Omotosho, a lecturer and consultant health physician at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), underscored that mental health is the bedrock of overall physical health. She emphasized that evidence-based practice must remain the standard of care, but argued that clinical outcomes improve when a patient’s spiritual worldview is respectfully integrated into their treatment plan.
According to Dr. Omotosho, true healing occurs at the intersection of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors, and ignoring any of these components can hinder a patient’s recovery.
The role of religious institutions in the Nigerian social fabric makes faith leaders pivotal stakeholders in mental health advocacy. Addressing this, Chaplain Sylvester Afanga of BUTH spoke on the responsibility of the clergy to act as a frontline support system.
He advocated for mandatory mental health training for chaplains and religious leaders to ensure they can identify symptoms of clinical disorders and refer congregants to professional medical help. By creating “safe spaces” within faith communities, Afanga suggested that the stigma currently preventing many Nigerians from seeking help could be systematically dismantled.
Further contributing to the dialogue, Oluwamuolamide Omole, a final-year medical student, pointed to the importance of preventative measures and lifestyle choices. She noted that while clinical and spiritual interventions are necessary for treatment, the promotion of healthy social connections and intentional stress management are vital for maintaining mental stability in a high-pressure environment.
Interactive sessions during the symposium provided attendees with practical tools for managing daily psychological strain, emphasizing structured routines and the necessity of seeking professional support before a crisis peaks.
The symposium concluded with a unified call for a multi-sectoral approach to health. Speakers reiterated that faith and mental health science are partners rather than adversaries.
By fostering an environment where spiritual support and medical expertise coexist, the organizers believe Nigeria can better address the needs of its citizens. The event reinforced the necessity of building an inclusive health system that acknowledges the complexities of the human experience, ensuring that individuals can thrive mentally, relationally, and spiritually.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the socio-economic pressures that often exacerbate mental health issues, the integration of community-based faith structures with clinical healthcare remains a primary strategy for expanding access to care.
The consensus from the Babcock University symposium is that a holistic model—one that respects both the laboratory and the sanctuary—offers the most viable path toward improving the mental health landscape of the nation.
