-Ibrahim Ayandare
On a typical Monday morning, the University of Ibadan buzzes with life. Students file into lecture halls with determined faces, backs slightly bent under the weight of textbooks—and ambition. It is a portrait of academic pursuit, marked by excellence, yet muted by emotional silence. “Some days, I don’t feel like showing up. But I have to anyway, and I smile through it,” says a 200-level student in the Faculty of Social Sciences.
For many students this is the norm: keeping up appearances while quietly battling emotional stress, academic pressure, and internal fatigue. At UI, mental health struggles are rarely spoken of among students despite the availability of a counseling center at the Student Affairs building and a mental health unit at Jaja Clinic but they are battling it deeply.
Mental health, a big issue among university students?
Mental health among Nigerian youth, especially university students, is becoming an urgent concern. At UI, the pressure of academic excellence, rising living costs, accommodation stress, the fear of failure weigh heavily on students. A significant number of undergraduates experience anxiety, depression, or burnout during their academic journey, but only a few seek help and talk about it.
The Unseen Weight Students Carry the road to academic success is not an easy feast. Deadlines, tests, and endless reading lists are only the beginning. For most students, emotional exhaustion creeps in silently. “Some nights, I just lie awake thinking about a series of assignments, group works, and projects hoping to just finish everything and forget about academics,” shares Busola, a final-year English education major.
For some, the struggle is financial. Ayo, a student from the faculty of education revealed that managing school and side hustles together leaves her emotionally drained. “I barely eat sometimes. I use most of my money for printing, data, and most times no fee for transport I have to trek. How do you expect me to be mentally okay? ” said Ayo. Such stories are common across campus, the kind that rarely make it to the public, but live in whispered conversations or silent tears behind closed doors.
Many students say they rely on self-motivation, faith, or friendships to cope. Others suffer in silence, unsure of where to turn. “I know there’s a Counseling Centre, but I see mental stress as normal things that happen in life,” says Marvelous, a 300 level Biochemistry student. Opeyemi Oshilagun, a coordinator of a mental awareness club, which is a safe space for affected students says, we do have a ‘Community for You and I’ club where students can find succour. This because we acknowledge; “Mental Health issues are quite serious nowadays”, Opeyemi said
Student Leader of a mental health club and University Counselling unit speak
“We are seeing more students experiencing academic pressure, substances, anxiety, accommodation issues, and finances,” says a mental Health Awareness Team, led by a recent graduate of psychology who works closely with the UI Counselling Centre. The unit organizes awareness campaigns, peer support sessions, and educates students on how response channels provide students with support that feels approachable.
“One of our goals as a unit is to break the stigma. Many students have negative misconceptions about mental illness; some fear being judged and feel shame and embarrassment.” the coordinator explained.
The unit lead also confirmed that collaboration with campus Practitioners has been productive because the serious cases referred to them were supported and attended to properly. There’s growing awareness among the student body, but stigma hasn’t disappeared. Some students say they still fear being judged if they are open about mental struggles.
“We joke a lot about depression and stress, but deep down, we’re afraid of being labeled,” said Ade, a student in the faculty of Science.
The club coordinator emphasized that students don’t have to face their challenges alone. “We encourage students to seek help and summon courage to discuss with the right people.”
Conclusion
At UI, the laughter and brilliance are real but so are the burdens. And while emotional struggles may not always be visible, they are valid. The change is happening through student advocates, supportive networks, and a growing willingness to have honest conversations. As the Mental Health Team continues its work, one truth remains clear: behind the smiles, there are stories waiting to be heard and healed
