Popular Nigerian rapper Oludemilade Martin Alejo, widely known as Ycee, has revealed that the severe shortage of mental health practitioners in Nigeria has hindered his ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder.
The musician, who recently disclosed that he has been managing the condition for six years following an initial diagnosis in London in 2020, spoke about his personal struggles during an interview on Arise Television.
Ycee explained that while mental health awareness and support systems, such as dedicated helplines, were highly visible and active during his time in the United Kingdom, the healthcare situation in Nigeria presents significant challenges for patients seeking proper medical attention.
“I was supposed to continue treatment in Lagos, but that was where I saw how much of a challenge it is to deal with that kind of condition. There was a serious lack of personnel,” the rapper stated. He noted that there is a very limited number of medical staff across critical areas of mental healthcare, including psychiatrists and psychologists.
The artist also lamented the widespread societal stigma surrounding mental health challenges in Nigeria, noting that many people still wrongly dismiss conditions like clinical depression as a “big man’s disease.” He emphasized that access to basic, quality healthcare remains a broader national crisis that affects millions of citizens.
Despite the skepticism from some quarters regarding his openness, Ycee stated that he remains committed to using his public platform to spark necessary conversations and break the silence surrounding mental health challenges in the country.
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