By Blaise Udunze
Silence has been considered a virtue, for it promotes peace, reduces conflicts, and shows emotional maturity, but not in all cases. Speaking up before it becomes too late is the new order as Nigeria deals with a mental health crisis that cannot be wished away or be regarded as a family matter or the consequence of individual weakness. Part of the most disturbing dimensions of this crisis is the growing emotional and psychological vulnerability of Nigerian girls and women who are facing a hostile world of financial challenges, social media pressure, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, and in most cases the horrific ritual killings by desperate individuals in pursuit of quick wealth.
The fact is that the conversation on mental health needs to go beyond depression and anxiety to address other critical issues within the environment in which young Nigerian women are expected to survive.
With the current state of affairs in the country, girls are placed under so much pressure to perform, look good, succeed academically, be in relationships, be economically independent, build successful families and so on.
One of the challenges is the social media culture that tempts them to compare their lives with others with the constant displaying images of wealth, beauty, luxury and seemingly perfect relationships online.
The fact is that the impact of all these can be devastating and this explains why the World Health Organization (WHO) will soon be launching a mental health campaign highlighting that one out of seven adolescents worldwide is living with a mental health condition. The organization also notes that depression and anxiety are among the leading causes of illness and disability in adolescents. The truth is that females are more prone to anxiety and the inability to cope with it.
However, in Nigeria there is also a disturbing trend linking the desperation of many young people to make money quickly with the exploitation of young women as the latter are easy targets.
At this point the rise of what is popularly called “Yahoo Plus” frauds with occult elements has created a dole of worry as young women are placed in harm’s way.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that young women are being lured or abducted by Yahoo-boys and in some cases murdered.
Unfortunately such cases have been reported across the country. For example, in early July 2012 Cynthia Osokogu, a post graduate student was lured to Lagos from Nasarawa State and later found dead at the Cosmilla Hotel in Lakeview Estate, Festac Town. It was initially reported that she was murdered in a ritual killing but this was not confirmed.
Similarly, in 2022, four youths were arrested in Ogun State for the death of Sofiat Kehinde, an 18-year-old girl. It is alleged that one of the suspects gave instructions to kill Kehinde through a Facebook group. It is noteworthy that in Edo State police are investigating the death of a 35-year-old woman. Seven suspects were arrested in the alleged ritual killing and according to police, they were in search of a ritual that would get them N200 million. It is alleged that they attempted to get the body parts of a young woman and several other bodies.
The fact is that these are not just crime stories, they are stories of a society that has placed so much value on wealth to the extent that it is willing to use any means to get it including the sacrifice of others. It is a sad reality that young women are placed in harms way by their own people.
The truth is that the impact of the death or disappearance of a young woman or girl is not only limited to the family since friends and partners can also be affected.
The fact is that the ripple effect can be long lasting as the parent may spend years trying to piece together what happened to their child or simply seek closure. The same applies to friends and partners as they may be affected by the loss or trauma and in some cases turn to violence or other forms of abuse. For example, in cases where a young woman is murdered or abducted the partner may be tempted to take up arms and track down the abductors or killers.
In other cases friends may be tempted to take up similar paths. In addition, in cases where the young woman is abducted, sexually exploited or trafficked, it is not unusual for her to develop mental health problems or trauma. The impact can also be long lasting as the victim may live with feelings of insecurity or depression or other emotional challenges that may require professional help.
This is why Nigeria’s mental health conversation must include violence and abuse prevention as well as survivor support. The fact is that a young girl or woman cannot be psychologically well in an environment where she feels insecure.
There is also a cultural problem in Nigeria that has contributed to the challenges. The country has developed a culture of celebrating wealth without questioning its source. A young man who has no visible means of paying for a new car or brand new clothes or house is celebrated for his success without questions being asked on where the money came from.
In today’s Nigeria, it is embarrassing and almost taboo to ask where the young man got the money as parents and others feel that it is not their business rather they are more interested in the benefits of unexplained wealth than in the values that produced it.
This sets the stage for young people to develop unhealthy relationships with money and success. It is a sad fact that this is the environment in which Yahoo-Plus frauds and other violent crimes thrive.
Research and investigative reports on Yahoo-Plus frauds have revealed the existence of what can only be described as a “yahoo-plus-ritual killings”. A 2024 London School of Economics scoping study on missing students and school-going age children also reported on the association between the missing persons and the yahoo-plus-ritual killings.
The fact is that the mental health challenges facing Nigeria cannot be wished away by simply telling young people to stop seeking wealth. The truth is that the problem is embedded in a culture that celebrates unearned wealth, consumption and success without questioning the means and impact.
Another challenge in this regard is the social media culture that has created a psychological marketplace where young women are constantly being encouraged to compare themselves with others. With the use of filters, influencers and the promotion of certain lifestyles young women may develop unhealthy relationships with themselves. The obsession with luxury lifestyles may also affect their self-esteem and sense of self-worth especially when they are unable to attain similar standards. The fact is that their self-worth may be tied to their appearance, relationships, financial status or even their ability to attract wealthy partners.
This is another way in which the social media culture may lead to vulnerability as young women may be tempted to get into relationships or accept advances from individuals who may expose them to violence, abuse or other forms of exploitation in their quest for wealth.
Nigeria’s mental health challenges must include a critical examination of the “hookup culture” and the need to educate young people on the dos and don’ts of anonymous meetings and location sharing. It is important that Nigeria talks about violence prevention without the victim-blaming undertone. It must also be noted that a woman agreeing to meet someone does not mean that she consents to being abused, exploited or murdered.
However, it is also important that young people are educated on the dangers of anonymous meetings including the need to avoid sharing personal locations. It is not victim-blaming to encourage women to be cautious.
It is no secret that Nigeria’s economic challenges have played a significant role in fueling the violence and exploitation as well as the mental health challenges facing young people.
The fact is that the country’s economic situation has created an environment in which young people are unable to secure jobs, afford homes and lead stable lives. The inflation rate, the high unemployment rate, the insecurity, the lack of adequate housing and the overall uncertainty that comes with these challenges can contribute to feelings of helplessness, depression and anxiety.
This explains why mental health must also be discussed in the context of economic security and education, digital culture issues as well as family support and not simply as a hospital issue. It is a sad reality that young people today face so much pressure to be economically independent when many of them are unable to find jobs.
It is high time Nigeria rethinks its approach to mental health, especially as it relates to young women and girls. The country’s institutions must start viewing mental health as an integral part of education, especially when it comes to helping young people understand anxiety, depression, trauma, manipulation and abusive relationships. It is important that schools have proper counselling services and that families are encouraged to provide the necessary support to young people instead of dismissing their concerns as weakness or lack of faith.
Law enforcement agencies must also step up their efforts to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of violence and exploitation as well as the ritual killings. Technology companies and law enforcement agencies must work together to take down online platforms that facilitate violence and exploitation. It is time for Nigeria to rethink its approach to mental health and ensure that young people do not suffer in silence.
The country’s society must also stop celebrating unearned wealth and question the source of money, especially when it comes to young people. For too long Nigeria has celebrated individuals who have no visible means of paying for expensive cars, houses or lifestyles. The truth is that there are often unanswered questions about the source of wealth and the impact it has on personal relationships and family life. For example, parents must ask their children where the money came from when they start buying expensive items without a visible source of income.
It is also important that the country’s religious and traditional leaders work with mental health professionals to ensure that individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges get the help they need. The fact is that spiritual healing is important but mental health conditions often require professional intervention and access to qualified psychological and psychiatric care.
It is a sad reality that Nigeria must confront two related but distinct emergencies, such as the mental health challenges facing young women, especially in the wake of the ritual killings and exploitation by Yahoo boys. One requires compassion and treatment. The other requires prevention, policing and justice. Both require society to stop looking away. It is time for society to stop turning away from the issues and start addressing them. Our daughters should not have to live in fear or be sacrificed on the altar of wealth.
Nigeria’s future depends on its ability to care for its young people and ensure that they are not exposed to violence, exploitation or insecurity.
Blaise, a journalist and PR professional, writes from Lagos and can be reached via: blaise.udunze@gmail.com
