By Eniola Philip
A non-governmental organisation [NGO], Brain Health Initiative Nigeria [BHIN], Ibadan has called on the House of Representatives to initiate legislation that will integrate brain health and brain capital development into Nigeria’s health, education and economic policies, warning that the country risks major human-capital and economic losses if it fails to act.
In a letter dated November 13, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of the House through the Clerk, the organisation said Nigeria must align with global commitments made at the G20 Health Ministerial Meeting on Brain Capital and the recommendations of the Africa Task Force on Brain Health coordinated by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative.
The letter, which was signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Temitope Farombi, the organisation offered to provide technical briefings and policy documents to support the legislative process.
Citing the G20 Brain Policy Paper (2025), Farombi stated that brain-health disorders cost African countries more than USD 10 billion annually in direct healthcare spending, with an additional USD 44 billion lost to reduced productivity. It said the figures highlight the need to recognise brain health as a key driver of human and economic capital.
The Africa Task Force on Brain Health has identified five priority areas for intervention, combating low birth weight, promoting cognitive development, supporting cardiovascular health, addressing hearing loss, and advancing new treatments and digital innovations. According to the Task Force, a life-course approach to brain health could deliver up to USD 36 billion in economic benefit to Africa by 2050 and avert more than 63 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
The group noted that Nigeria’s demographic transition, with a growing young population and rising elderly population, makes it imperative to embed brain capital into national policy. It urged lawmakers to establish a National Framework for Brain Health and Capital Development that integrates health, education and workforce planning.
The letter also called for dedicated funding for research and capacity building in partnership with organisations such as the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, the Science for Africa Foundation and Brain Health Initiative Nigeria. It further recommended mandatory training and awareness programmes for healthcare workers and educators, as well as support for digital innovation and artificial intelligence-based tools for early diagnosis and policy evaluation.
By legislating in favour of a national brain-health strategy, the group said the country would be strengthening its foundation for a knowledge-driven economy. It requested that the House consider a motion to begin drafting a Brain Health and Capital Bill, including provisions for inter-ministerial coordination, funding, and integration of brain-health education into school and health-sector curricula.
