Renowned Nigerian Mental Health Advocate, Dr Emmanuel Ahmadu, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Valeria Harper Cultural Competence in Mental Health Award by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organisation in the U. S.

Ahmadu, in a telephone interview with NAN in Lagos on Thursday, said the award would be presented to him at NAMI Greater Cleveland’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on May 1, 2025, in Independence, Ohio.

NAN also reports that Ahmadu, who failed the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination 17 times before scaling through, had urged youths to remain resilient and never lose hope, regardless of challenges they faced.

Ahmadu was recently honoured with two doctorate degrees in the U.S.

According to Ahmadu, who is also known as “Mr Voiceover”, dedication and a strong belief in oneself are crucial in overcoming adversity.

He said the award recongnised individuals making exceptional contributions to culturally competent mental health advocacy.

Ahmadu said that the recognition by NAMI solidified his standing as one of Africa’s most influential voices in global mental health advocacy.

He said he would continue to serve as a top mental health influencer for the “Help Is Here” App, supporting college students in the U.S. and remaining at the forefront of shaping conversations on mental health, policy, and intervention strategies.

He said that the official award confirmation was sent by Lisa Dellafiora, Advancement Director at NAMI Greater Cleveland.

He said that his leadership in mental health interventions had played a critical role in suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and resilience-building programmes for young people.

“My efforts have impacted communities across Nigeria, the United States, and beyond, addressing the growing challenges of depression, anxiety, and social instability among adolescents and young adults.

“With personal experience of family instability, which led me to write O’level examinations 17 times over five years, I have transformed struggles into advocacy, ensuring young people have access to mental health resources, education, and support networks.

“Also, my commitment has earned me two honorary doctorate degrees, prestigious fellowships, and global recognitions for my outstanding impact in the field,” he said.

Ahmadu expressed his gratitude for the award, dedicating it to God Almighty, acknowledging divine guidance in his journey.
“This award is a call to greater responsibility. Millions of young people globally face mental health struggles in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, and limited culturally competent interventions.

“I am committed to working with governments, institutions, and policymakers to develop innovative, solution-focused interventions that meet the unique needs of today’s youth,” Ahmadu told NAN.

He said that mental health issues among young people remained a pressing concern worldwide.

“Reports indicate that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth, while untreated mental health disorders contribute to school dropouts, crime, violence, and economic instability.

“In Nigeria, the lack of adequate mental health infrastructure and societal stigma further hinder access to proper care, leaving many without critical support.

“In response, I have led the Resilience Rise Mental Health Tour, a large-scale initiative providing direct engagement, mentorship, and advocacy in 50 schools and multiple communities in Nigeria,” he said.

He said that his grassroots intervention efforts in Cleveland, Ohio, through OhioGuidestone, where he worked as an unpaid behavioral health professional, had further demonstrated his hands-on approach to tackling mental health challenges among children and adolescents.

Ahmadu, however, said he seeks to expand his impact through policy advisory roles at the state and national levels in Nigeria and the U. S. as well as through multinational organisations working on youth mental health and human services interventions.
He emphasised that government partnerships were critical in implementing effective mental health policies.

“The government holds the power to drive large-scale, solution-based interventions that can transform lives.
“I have witnessed firsthand the impact of collaborating with government agencies, and I am committed to working with policymakers to ensure young people receive the support they need,” Ahmadu said.

He said that with the award, he would further be poised to strengthen international collaborations, engage in policy reforms, and drive impactful interventions that would shape the future of youth mental health advocacy worldwide.