Factors contributing to mental health issues in Nigeria: a scoping review of their prevalence, associated factors, and patterns

Abstract

Mental health disorders constitute a major but insufficiently addressed public health concern in Nigeria, shaped by intersecting socioeconomic, cultural, and systemic factors. This scoping review systematically mapped the prevalence, determinants, and patterns of mental health issues among diverse Nigerian populations. Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines, comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Frontiers, BMC, and African Journals Online for English-language empirical studies published from January 2005 to December 2025. Studies included reported prevalence rates or associated factors for mental health outcomes within Nigerian contexts. Data extraction and narrative synthesis were performed, and methodological quality was appraised using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A total of 12 studies encompassing more than 40,000 participants from community, student, clinical, elderly, internally displaced, and key populations were included. Prevalence of depression, anxiety, or psychological distress ranged from 5.5% to 53.5%, reflecting substantial heterogeneity across populations and study designs. Key contributing factors identified were socioeconomic disadvantage, cultural and religious stigma, trauma and conflict exposure, limited healthcare access, substance use, and demographic vulnerabilities. Large treatment gaps persist, with evidence that only a minority of affected individuals access formal care. Findings highlight that mental health challenges in Nigeria are driven by modifiable structural, societal, and healthcare barriers, underscoring the need for integrated primary care, anti-stigma initiatives, trauma-informed services, and targeted interventions for high-risk groups. Future research should emphasize longitudinal and intervention studies to inform effective policy and service delivery.