Abuja: The Nigerian Society for Neurological Sciences (NSNS) has called for the inclusion of central nervous system (CNS) trauma in Nigeria’s primary healthcare strategy, citing the increasing burden of neurological diseases in the country. The Vice President of NSNS, Prof. Abdullahi Jimoh, made this appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), emphasizing the urgent need for policy changes.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Jimoh, who also serves as a Professor of Neurosurgery at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in Zaria, highlighted the society’s dedication to promoting brain health through advocacy, education, and prevention initiatives. He pointed out that neurological conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries and adolescent mental health challenges, are on the rise but often remain concealed due to stigma, particularly when they affect prominent individuals.
Jimoh remarked, “Neurological diseases are more common than people realise, but patients are often hidden away due to stigma. It’s time to bring these issues to the forefront.” He added that the NSNS, with its extensive advocacy experience, is steadfast in its mission to raise awareness about these critical health issues.
The society is particularly focused on adolescent health, suicide prevention, and traumatic brain injury, which are the central themes for the upcoming 2025 World Brain Day campaign. Jimoh also mentioned a communiqu© issued after the NSNS’s 2025 Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) in Benin, advocating for the establishment of National Neurological Institutes in all 36 states of Nigeria. These institutes are envisioned to become centers of excellence for research, education, and healthcare delivery in neurological health.
Jimoh stressed the importance of integrated community education and preventive strategies, noting that the society is broadening its advocacy efforts across markets, schools, and local government areas to dispel myths about brain and spine-related conditions. “We must begin to treat CNS trauma as a primary healthcare concern. It’s not just a specialist issue, it’s a community issue,” he emphasized.
