By CGTN Africa
by Tesem Akende, CGTN Correspondent
Psychologists in Nigeria have urged the government in the country to address the problem of depression among university students there. They say accommodation challenges, drug abuse and a strike by their lecturers contribute to the problem.
In February this year, lecturers in public universities in the country staged a one-month strike, with a warning that it could be extended. Indeed, it was extended this month by eight weeks. The lecturers said the government has failed to implement agreements reached with them on welfare and allowances.
The strike has led to students returning to their homes, unaware of when it will be called off.
Mercy Ezekiel, a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka who is supposed to graduate by the end of this year is one of them. But her graduation will be delayed if the strike is not called off soon, and she says the situation has made her depressed.
“I’m not getting younger, and as a lady, it means a lot. I have so many plans for myself, not knowing when the strike will be called off makes things worse for me,” Mercy said. “I’m really tired and frustrated, and it’s taking a toll on me emotionally and psychologically.”
Mercy is not the only one among the students suffering from depression.
The National Association of Nigerian students says one student at the University of Jos committed suicide earlier this month.
The National Centre for Biotechnology Information says 8.3 percent of students in Nigerian universities meet the criteria for depressive disorder – that’s about 175,000 of them.
Psychologists in the country say the government needs to attend to the needs of depressed students in the country and improve funding for its university system. One of them, Toyin Wiggins, says it is important to head off the lecturer strike.
“The Nigerian government should take this issue seriously by pumping the right money into the academic system of Nigerian universities, making sure that they pay salaries for teachers and the lecturers and then the students will graduate as at when they should.”
The government says it is focused on ending the strike and addressing the challenge of depression among students.
It says it has adopted a national health policy for the provision of mental health services for students, and internally displaced persons.
It has also agreed to improve infrastructure and funding of the universities as requested by the lecturers.
Students from the universities like Mercy Ezekiel hope that will see lecturers return to work so they can complete their education.