Psychiatric research in Nigeria: bridging tradition and modernisation.

Nigeria is a large West African country, more than 900 000 km more than 900 000 km 2 2 in area – nearly in area – nearly four times the size of the UK. Despite four times the size of the UK. Despite having a population of about 117 million having a population of about 117 million people, 42% of whom live in cities, Nigeria people, 42% of whom live in cities, Nigeria has about half the population density of the has about half the population density of the UK. About a sixth of all Africans are UK. About a sixth of all Africans are Nigerian. The country has a diverse ethnic Nigerian. The country has a diverse ethnic mix, with over 200 spoken languages, of mix, with over 200 spoken languages, of which three (Yoruba, Hausa and Ibo) are which three (Yoruba, Hausa and Ibo) are spoken by about 60% of the population. spoken by about 60% of the population. The official language of government and The official language of government and educational instruction is English. There is educational instruction is English. There is a federal system of government and 36 a federal system of government and 36 states. Religious practice has a major role states. Religious practice has a major role in Nigeria's culture; of the two main reli-in Nigeria's culture; of the two main religions , Islam predominates in the northern gions, Islam predominates in the northern part of the country and Christianity in the part of the country and Christianity in the south. A large proportion of the population south. A large proportion of the population still embraces traditional religions exclu-still embraces traditional religions exclusively , or interwoven with either Islam or sively, or interwoven with either Islam or Christianity. Christianity. Although the recognition and treatment Although the recognition and treatment of mental disorders in Nigeria pre-date of mental disorders in Nigeria pre-date written records, Western models of psy-written records, Western models of psychiatric service delivery were not intro-chiatric service delivery were not introduced until the early 20th century. The duced until the early 20th century. The first asylum was established in the southern first asylum was established in the southern city of Calabar in 1904, and shortly after-city of Calabar in 1904, and shortly after-wards (in 1907) the Yaba Asylum was wards (in 1907) the Yaba Asylum was established in Lagos, also in the south. …