The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has approved a new mental health legislation aimed at modernising psychiatric care and strengthening the protection of persons living with mental and psychosocial conditions across the state.
The bill, which replaces the long-standing Lunacy Law of 1916, was passed during plenary held at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Chamber in Government House, Uyo. Lawmakers adopted the report of the House Committee on Health before it scaled through third reading.
The proposed law establishes a dedicated Mental Health Services Department to coordinate mental healthcare delivery, regulate treatment standards, and promote community-based rehabilitation services.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Moses Essien, said the reform marks a major shift in how mental health is handled in the state.
“This legislation introduces a coordinated system that prioritises dignity, care, and human rights for persons living with mental health conditions,” Essien said.
He added that the law also sets clear procedures for treatment consent and empowers the Commissioner for Health to issue regulations guiding mental health services.
Stakeholders in the health sector had earlier presented submissions during a public hearing held in March 2026, where the bill was reviewed before final passage.
According to lawmakers, the new framework is designed to replace outdated provisions that had governed mental healthcare for more than a century.
“We are moving away from archaic laws that no longer reflect modern medical understanding or human rights standards,” a lawmaker said during deliberations.
After clause-by-clause consideration in a Committee of the Whole, the bill was adopted and passed following a motion supported by members of the House.
Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Udeme Otong, subsequently announced the passage of the bill and directed that it be forwarded to the state governor for assent.
“This is a landmark step toward building a more humane and responsive healthcare system in Akwa Ibom State,” the Speaker said.
The Assembly explained that the new law will improve access to mental healthcare services, strengthen rehabilitation systems, and ensure better protection for individuals with intellectual and cognitive disabilities.
The development has been described by lawmakers as a turning point in the state’s public health policy, signalling a shift toward rights-based mental healthcare delivery.
