Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Nigeria: 2025 Guide

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)

• Website: https://mdcn.gov.ng/
• Function: Regulate psychiatrists and medical doctors
• Authority: Statutory regulation under Medical and Dental Practitioners Act
• Address: Plot 1102, Cadastral Zone B11, Off Oladipo Diya Road, Behind Prince and Princess Estate, Kaura District, Abuja, Nigeria
• Phone: +234-1-261-5145
• Email: info@mdcn.gov.ng

Social Workers Registration Council of Nigeria (Proposed)

• Status: Under development
• Function: Regulate social work profession
  

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

1. CHARTERED PSYCHOLOGIST (Proposed Statutory Category)

Regulatory Authority: Nigerian Council for Psychologists (when established)

Current Status: NPA voluntary membership

Scope of Practice (Proposed):

• Psychological Assessment: Standardised testing, diagnostic assessment
• Psychological Intervention: Individual, group, family therapy
• Consultation: Professional consultation to organisations and healthcare teams
• Research: Psychological research and evidence-based practice
• Training and Supervision: Training of psychology students and professionals

Practice Settings:

• Hospitals and medical centres
• Private practice
• Educational institutions
• Corporate organizations
• Government agencies
• Non-governmental organizations

Scope Restrictions:

• Cannot prescribe medication (unless also a medical doctor)
• Cannot diagnose medical conditions (psychological assessment only)
• Must practice within the area of competency
• Requires appropriate supervision for specialised interventions
  

2. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Regulatory Authority: Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP) / NPA

Current Status: Professional association membership

Scope of Practice:

• Clinical Assessment: Psychological testing, personality assessment, cognitive assessment
• Psychotherapy: Individual, group, family, and couples therapy
• Crisis Intervention: Emergency psychological support
• Consultation: Clinical consultation to healthcare teams
• Research: Clinical psychology research

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
• Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology
• PhD in Clinical Psychology (preferred)
• Licensed by NACP (professional licensing)

Practice Settings:

• Hospitals and psychiatric facilities
• Mental health clinics
• Private practice
• Rehabilitation centers
• Academic institutions

3. COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGIST

Regulatory Authority: NPA Division of Counselling Psychology

Current Status: Professional association membership

Scope of Practice:

• Counselling Services: Individual, group, family counselling
• Career Guidance: Educational and vocational counselling
• Personal Development: Life coaching and personal growth
• Community Services: Mental health promotion and prevention
• Training: Counselling skills training

Practice Settings:

• Educational institutions
• Community centers
• Employee assistance programs
• Private practice
• Non-governmental organizations
  

4. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Regulatory Authority: NPA Division of Educational Psychology

Current Status: Professional association membership

Scope of Practice:

• Educational Assessment: Learning difficulties assessment, intellectual assessment
• Intervention Services: Learning support, behavioural intervention
• Consultation: School consultation, teacher training, parent guidance
• Research: Educational psychology research

Practice Settings:

• Schools and educational institutions
• Special education centres
• Educational consultancy
• Government education departments
  

5. PSYCHIATRIST

Regulatory Authority: Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)

Legal Status: Statutory regulation

Scope of Practice:

• Medical Diagnosis: Mental disorder diagnosis and classification
• Medication Management: Prescription and monitoring of psychiatric medications
• Psychotherapy: Medical psychotherapy
• Involuntary Treatment: Authority for involuntary psychiatric treatment
• Medical Certification: Mental health assessments for legal purposes

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree (MBBS)
• Psychiatric Residency training
• Fellowship of West African College of Physicians (FWACP) or equivalent
• Medical License from MDCN
  

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Psychology (General Requirements)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from accredited Nigerian university
• National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) completion
• Professional Training in specialised area
• Continuing Professional Development participation

Core Curriculum Requirements:

• General Psychology: Introduction to psychological principles
• Research Methods: Statistics, research design, methodology
• Developmental Psychology: Human development across lifespan
• Social Psychology: Social behaviour and group dynamics
• Cognitive Psychology: Learning, memory, perception
• Abnormal Psychology: Psychopathology and Mental Disorders
• Professional Ethics: Ethical principles and professional conduct

Clinical Psychology Specialisation

Additional Requirements:

• Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology
• Supervised Clinical Practice: Minimum 1,000 hours
• Thesis/Dissertation: Research project in clinical psychology
• Professional Examination: NACP licensing examination
• Continuing Education: Annual CPD requirements

Specialised Training:

• Psychopathology: Advanced study of mental disorders
• Psychological Assessment: Testing and measurement
• Psychotherapy: Therapeutic techniques and interventions
• Ethics and Law: Professional ethics and legal issues
• Supervision: Clinical supervision skills

Counseling Psychology Specialization

Additional Requirements:

• Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology or related field
• Supervised Counselling Practice: Minimum 600 hours
• Professional Training: Counselling techniques and approaches
• Certification: Professional counselling certification
  

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC

NPA Membership Verification

• Contact NPA directly: ask@npass.org.ng or +234-803-467-6352
• Request membership verification for a specific psychologist
• Verify membership category and status
• Check for any disciplinary actions or restrictions

Information Available:

• Full name and membership number
• Membership category and status
• Date of membership
• Professional qualifications
• Area of specialisation

Professional Credentials Verification

• Academic Qualifications: Verify with issuing universities
• Professional Training: Check with training institutions
• NYSC Certificate: Verify with National Youth Service Corps
• Professional References: Contact provided references
  

DISCIPLINARY FRAMEWORK

NPA Professional Standards (Current System)

Ethics Committee Functions:

• Investigate complaints against members
• Determine professional misconduct
• Impose sanctions according to ethics code
• Maintain professional standards

Types of Misconduct:

• Breach of professional ethics
• Incompetent or negligent practice
• Criminal conviction affecting practice
• Breach of membership conditions
• Unprofessional conduct

Sanctions Available (Limited Authority):

• Warning: Formal written warning
• Suspension: Temporary suspension of membership
• Expulsion: Permanent removal from membership
• Conditions: Additional training or supervision requirements
  

Proposed Statutory Disciplinary Powers

When Council is established:

• Legal Authority: Statutory powers for discipline
• Professional Tribunal: Formal disciplinary hearings
• Criminal Penalties: Legal consequences for unauthorised practice
• Public Protection: Enhanced public protection measures
  

PROTECTED TITLES AND LEGAL STATUS

Current Status (Professional Association)

• "Psychologist" - General term, not legally protected
• "Clinical Psychologist" - Professional designation through NACP
• "Chartered Psychologist" - Proposed protected title

Legal Protection:

• Limited legal protection under current system
• Professional sanctions through association membership
• No criminal penalties for unauthorised use

Proposed Statutory Protection

• "Chartered Psychologist" - Legally protected title
• "Registered Psychologist" - Statutory registration required
• Criminal Penalties: Legal consequences for unauthorised practice
• Public Protection: Enhanced verification and complaint procedures
  

OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Social Workers

• Regulatory Status: Professional association (Nigerian Association of Social Workers)
• Proposed Regulation: Social Workers Registration Council (under development)
• Scope: Psychosocial support, case management, community development
• Website: https://www.nasow.org/

Psychiatric Nurses

• Regulatory Authority: Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
• Requirements: Nursing degree + psychiatric nursing specialisation
• Scope: Psychiatric nursing care, medication administration, patient support
• Website: https://nmcn.gov.ng/
  

Counsellors (Non-Psychology)

• Regulatory Status: Various professional associations
• Training: Certificate and diploma programs
• Scope: Basic counselling and support services
• Associations: Nigerian Association of Professional Counsellors, others

RED FLAGS FOR PUBLIC

Warning Signs:

• Practitioner not found in NPA membership (for psychology services)
• Claims to prescribe medication (unless a medical doctor)
• No clear academic qualifications or training
• Refuses to provide membership number or credentials
• No clear complaint procedure available
• Practices outside stated area of competency
• Charges excessive fees without clear service description

Verification Steps:

• Check NPA membership status
• Verify academic qualifications
• Confirm professional training and certification
• Ask about complaint procedures
• Verify practice location and scope
• Check professional indemnity insurance
  

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA)

Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP)

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria

Nigerian Association of Social Workers

This guide reflects Nigeria's professional association-based system for mental health regulation, with voluntary registration through the Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA) since 1984. The system relies on university graduation and professional associations for standards and disciplinary authority, as legislation to create a mandatory statutory council is still under consideration. Verify current membership status with the NPA and other relevant professional bodies for the most up-to-date information.