Policy analysis on Nigerian lunacy act (1958): The need for a new legislation

Abstract

An important framework for understanding a social problem is to examine it through the lens of hybrid policy analysis model. Doing so will help an analyst, a policy developer, or reformer to not only appreciate the background but also understand the condition and direction of an existing policy for the purpose of reformation. This paper utilizes a hybrid policy model to analyse Nigerian mental health Lunacy Act (1958) that still governs the treatment of mental illness in Nigeria today. The paper also provides some recommendations that can be adopted to enhance the treatment of mental illness and mental health policy in Nigeria.