Nigerian Mental Health Advocate, Ahmadu, Honoured in the U.S.

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 largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States.

In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, Ahmadu revealed that the award would be presented to him during NAMI Greater Cleveland’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on May 1, 2025, in Independence, Ohio.

Ahmadu, famously known as “Mr. Voiceover,” overcame significant academic struggles, having failed the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) 17 times before succeeding. He has since dedicated his life to mental health advocacy, resilience-building, and suicide prevention among young people.

Recognition for Global Impact
Ahmadu emphasized that the award recognizes individuals making exceptional contributions to culturally competent mental health advocacy. He sees it as further validation of his role as one of Africa’s leading voices in global mental health discussions.

Beyond advocacy, he serves as a top mental health influencer for the “Help Is Here” App, which supports college students in the U.S. His grassroots initiatives, including the Resilience Rise Mental Health Tour, have reached 50 schools and multiple communities across Nigeria and beyond.

Expanding Mental Health Interventions
Ahmadu has worked on the frontlines of mental health interventions in Cleveland, Ohio, through OhioGuidestone, where he volunteered as a behavioral health professional. He seeks to expand his impact through policy advisory roles in Nigeria, the U.S., and international organizations focusing on youth mental health.

He stressed the need for government partnerships to implement large-scale, solution-driven interventions that address issues such as suicide, school dropouts, crime, and economic instability linked to untreated mental health disorders.

Expressing gratitude for the award, Ahmadu dedicated it to God Almighty and reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for innovative, culturally relevant mental health solutions.

With this recognition, he aims to strengthen international collaborations, drive policy reforms, and advance impactful mental health initiatives that will transform the lives of young people worldwide.