A bill creating a Mental Health Services Department to oversee and enhance mental healthcare delivery throughout the state was signed into law by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday, April 7.
This came after Hon. Moses Essien, the chairman of the House Committee on Health, gave a report to the plenary.
According to Essien, the law will improve access to high-quality mental healthcare, rehabilitation, and community-based treatment while protecting the rights of people with intellectual, psychosocial, and cognitive disabilities. It will also provide a coordinated framework for mental health services in Akwa Ibom State.
He claims that the legislation’s main features include removing the antiquated Lunacy Law of 1916, providing rules for getting consent for treatment, and giving the Commissioner for Health the authority to create any required regulations.
Essien urged his colleagues to accept the committee’s conclusions and praised the Speaker and the members of the house for their support.
After discussions, the House disbanded to debate the bill section by clause in the Committee of the Whole. The measure then had third reading after the report was approved.
Following a motion for adoption made by Hon. Jerry Otu and seconded by Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, declared it to be passed into law.
The Speaker instructed Mrs. Nsiakak Abasi Orok, the House Clerk, to forward the resolution to the State Governor for approval.
Prior to being sent to the committee for in-depth examination, the bill has previously scaled second reading on March 10, 2026.
On March 23, 2026, the committee held a public hearing in accordance with parliamentary procedure, soliciting memoranda from health sector stakeholders.
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