Adeleye, Adeola, and Adebola are 10-year-old boys with the same birthdate living in Lagos. Adeleye’s parents are top management professionals who are living in a high-end area in Lagos. Adeleye was born in the US, attends an international school, and spends summer vacations in different countries across Europe. Adeola was born in a state general hospital in Lagos, with civil servant parents. He attends a private school and spends his vacations with his grandparents in Abeokuta. Adebola’s father is a street shoemaker, and his mother sells pure water by the roadside. He was born in a dilapidated primary health centre, attends a public primary school and spends his after-school hours and vacations hawking to make extra income for his family. They are all displaying symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), such as significant difficulties with sustaining attention, excessive hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Adeleye’s schoolteachers spotted the symptoms first, informed his parents, and developed accommodations for his condition while he saw the school counsellor regularly. His parents have also registered him at a private clinic with child and adolescent psychiatric services for personalized management. The school, his parents, and the mental health professionals are working together to ensure he performs well. Adeola’s parents have registered him at the Oshodi Children’s Annex of the Yaba Psychiatric Hospital, and he has been diagnosed and is also receiving treatment. Adebola remains undiagnosed and his school grades remain poor. His parents are considering withdrawing him from school, so he learns a trade or work as a labourer and start earning money since he is not good at school.

Chiamaka, Chinelo, and Chisom are 15-year-old girls from different families living in Port Harcourt. They have been experiencing persistent sadness, intense feelings of guilt and frequent crying spells for trivial reasons, loss of interest in activities, social withdrawal, and changes in sleep or eating habits for the past six months. Chiamaka’s parents are educated and rich. She was taken to their family doctor, who referred her to a psychiatrist for depression treatment. She is now in therapy, and she is getting much better. Chinelo is awaiting her appointment at the psychiatry clinic of UPTH. She is scheduled to see a mental health professional in the next two months, which was the earliest date they could secure. Chisom’s parents are not convinced it is a medical issue, and, in any case, they are unable to afford treatment in hospital anyways. So, they convinced themselves she was either lazy or having a spiritual affliction. Chisom was taken for spiritual deliverance and special prayers but is still experiencing the same symptoms.

The 15th of May is the International Day of Families. The 2026 theme, Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing, focuses on the increasing inequalities, gaps in healthcare and other resources and the influence on the well-being of children.

Discussion

The population of children and adolescents aged 0-17 in Nigeria is nearly 107 million, almost half of Nigeria’s population, according to UNICEF Nigeria. UNICEF Nigeria also reports that 67.5% of children between the ages of 0 and 17 in Nigeria live in multidimensional poverty. This means they lack adequate nutrition, healthcare, education, housing, water and sanitation. It is also reported that 1 in 3 children in Nigeria are out of school. Children are also not exempt from the humanitarian crises in the country and form the highest percentage of people who need mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Considering that 75% of mental health issues start before the age of 18 and suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents, children's well-being and the impact of the increasing inequalities in the country become glaring.

Research shows that children from the most vulnerable population groups consistently have worse health conditions. Low family income and parental unemployment are strong predictors of high rates of mental disorders. Constant exposure to poverty and dangerous environments contributes to chronic distress and anxiety. Children from poor backgrounds living in crowded slums are more likely to experience higher levels of abuse, maltreatment and bullying. Unfortunately, they also frequently lack access to quality education and healthcare services. This results in a double burden of inequality on children from poor backgrounds.

How You Can Make a Difference

• Gain Mental Health Literacy: Mental health literacy bridges the gap in mental healthcare utilization. You cannot utilize mental healthcare if you don’t understand what mental health is. Educating yourself on mental health, practising mental health promotion strategies, and sharing your knowledge can improve mental health outcomes regardless of economic backgrounds. Follow the social media handles of Asido Foundation (www.asidofoundation.com) for free mental health awareness materials.
• Advocate for governments at all levels, but especially at the state and local government levels to provide quality education and healthcare systems
• Participate in community events that improve mental health outcomes of families and children. Asido Kids Challenge 2026 is currently ongoing. The 2026 theme is on bullying, and it presents an opportunity for children to participate in activities that improve their own wellbeing.