Baze University Calls for Action on Mental Health at 8th Career Week
POLITICS DIGEST — Baze University, Abuja, has called for practical measures to promote mental health and tackle stigma, urging students and staff to prioritise their psychological wellbeing as part of academic and career development.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, made the call at the university’s 8th Career Week Programme (BaCWeP), held from October 6 to 7, 2026, under the theme, “Prioritisation of Mental Health: Beyond Lip Service.”
Organised by the Student Support Unit, through the Counselling and Human Development Centre, in collaboration with the faculties, the programme featured a mental health awareness walk, medical check-ups, a symposium and interactive sessions on stress, anxiety, depression and coping mechanisms.
Speaking at the symposium, Adeniyi said the theme underscored the need to move beyond public discussions on mental health to concrete actions that would promote wellbeing and encourage early intervention.
He said mental health conditions should be treated with the same seriousness as other illnesses, stressing the importance of challenging stigma and ensuring that people experiencing psychological challenges receive appropriate support.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the need to integrate mental wellbeing into educational institutions’ support systems, noting its relevance to students’ academic performance, career choices and professional growth.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Muhammad Abdullahi, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to youth development and mental wellbeing.
He urged students to take their mental health seriously and called for accessible, stigma-free support systems to help young people cope with psychological challenges.
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The programme opened with a mental health awareness walk to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), where the university delegation was received by Dr Godwin Orukpe, who represented the Medical Director.
The delegation also toured the hospital’s facilities under the guidance of Dr Abdullahi Mustapha Hassan, Head of the Department of Mental Health.
A free medical check-up was subsequently conducted at the university to encourage members of the community to monitor their health and recognise the importance of physical and mental wellbeing.
Other speakers at the symposium included Hajia Hauwa Liman, author of the My Mind Book Project, and Halima Nuradeen, a Volunteer for Mental Health. They shared practical approaches to managing mental health challenges, seeking professional help early and building supportive peer networks.
The discussions also examined how emotional and psychological wellbeing influences career decisions, progression and stability, with participants highlighting the need for students to have access to guidance and counselling services.
The Head of the Student Support Unit, Mrs VS Tarka, said the university was committed to promoting mental health awareness and ensuring that students and staff understood its importance to personal development and professional success.
She said the institution had a responsibility to give greater visibility to the experiences of people living with mental health challenges while equipping members of its community with the knowledge and support needed to protect their wellbeing.
According to her, the theme was deliberately chosen to address mental health challenges that often go unrecognised among young people and encourage a shift from awareness to practical intervention.
Tarka added that the university’s Counselling and Human Development Centre provides a supportive environment where students can access guidance, counselling and professional assistance without fear of stigma.
The two-day programme ended with participating students describing the sessions as insightful and impactful, while reinforcing the university’s commitment to the holistic development of its community through the promotion of mental wellbeing.
