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.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ahmadu said the award will be formally presented at NAMI Greater Cleveland’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on May 1, 2025, in Independence, Ohio.
Popularly known as Mr. Voiceover, Ahmadu has become a prominent figure in mental health advocacy, particularly among youth. Despite failing his West African Senior School Certificate Examination 17 times before succeeding, he has remained a symbol of resilience and hope.
He emphasized that his journey—marked by personal struggles and academic setbacks—has shaped his passion for mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and youth empowerment. His work has earned him two honorary doctorate degrees and multiple international recognitions.
"This award reaffirms my commitment to promoting culturally competent mental health care, especially for young people battling stigma and limited access to support," he said.
Ahmadu currently serves as a leading mental health influencer for the Help Is Here app in the U.S., supporting college students and shaping discourse around mental health policy and intervention strategies.
His efforts have impacted communities across Nigeria, the U.S., and beyond, tackling issues such as depression, anxiety, and social instability among adolescents. He also leads the Resilience Rise Mental Health Tour, reaching over 50 schools and communities in Nigeria.
In the U.S., Ahmadu has volunteered as a behavioral health professional with OhioGuidestone in Cleveland, showcasing a hands-on approach to youth mental health support.
Looking ahead, he plans to expand his impact through policy advisory roles at both national and international levels. "Governments must take the lead in implementing scalable, solution-driven mental health programs," he noted.
Ahmadu dedicated the award to God and called it a greater call to service. “Millions of young people suffer in silence. I’m committed to working with governments, institutions, and global bodies to provide practical, culturally relevant mental health solutions.”
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