Citizen Wellness And Advocacy Foundation (CWAAF) is Nigeria's dedicated trauma-focused foundation — researching, advocating, and intervening to create access for psychologically hard to reach population.
"Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, and suicide is a leading cause of death among people ages 15–29."
Hear independent media coverage of CWAAF's mental health awareness campaign — as reported on radio. A third-party account of our work in Kwara State communities.
Citizen Wellness And Advocacy Foundation (CWAAF) is registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria as a non-profit, non-governmental organization to provide services related to mental health and psychological issues in the general population.
Our primary goal is to reduce mental health issues such as the impacts of psychological trauma, childhood adversities, youth and adolescent substance abuse in the general population.
Every program is designed to disrupt negative systems and rebuild resilience — from the individual to the policy level — using disruptive thinking, research, and grassroots action.
Promoting positive mental health, emotional wellbeing, and resilience among children and youths. We provide age-appropriate psychosocial support and trauma-informed interventions, and collaborate with schools and caregivers to create safe, supportive environments for healthy development.
Providing counseling services that strengthen family relationships, communication, and emotional wellbeing. We support parents and caregivers with skills and resources to nurture children's mental health, and facilitate family-centered interventions that enhance protection and psychosocial support for vulnerable households.
Strengthening community awareness and understanding of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. We support community-based initiatives that promote prevention, resilience, and social connectedness, and engage community leaders and institutions in addressing factors that contribute to poor mental health outcomes.
Promoting policies and programs that support mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. We engage communities, institutions, and policymakers on mental health rights and social justice issues, while strengthening community participation in mental health promotion and prevention initiatives.
Conducting research on psychological trauma, mental health, child and adolescent wellbeing, family resilience, and community health. We document emerging trends, challenges, and best practices, generating evidence to inform policy development, program design, and advocacy efforts.
CWAAF operates from the scientific frameworks of Traumatic Stress and Continuous Traumatic Stress (CTS) — recognising that trauma and stressors persist within societies, communities, institutions, and social systems, particularly affecting children, adolescents, and families across Nigeria.
Reaching children and youths with psychosocial support, trauma-informed care, and early intervention — before adversity compounds into long-term harm.
Strengthening family relationships through counseling, caregiver support, and family-centered interventions that build resilience and protect vulnerable households.
Strengthening community resilience, social connectedness, and awareness — engaging leaders and institutions to address root factors behind poor mental health outcomes.
Using research and civic engagement to challenge the systems that perpetuate mental health crises — reducing stigma, informing policy, and promoting help-seeking behaviour.
Nigerians are at risk of developing depression annually — yet only 3% of the national health budget is allocated to mental health, leaving tens of millions without access to care.
Join the Mission
"We strive to create individual, family, and community resilience through behaviour and system change — because wellness is not a privilege. It is a right."CWAAF Mission Statement
Our leadership brings together trauma researchers, legal practitioners, political scientists, journalists, and gender development professionals united by one mission.
Trauma expert. Doctoral degree in Human Services, MSW from University of Connecticut, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from University of Ibadan. Managed Ford Foundation, EU and OSIWA-funded projects in Nigeria (2001–2007).
LLM-qualified legal practitioner, Bayero University Kano (1996). Contract Management Specialist at Dangote Industries. Trained in counter-terrorism, petroleum law, and supervisory development.
15+ years in nonprofit leadership. MA Development Studies, University of Leeds. Vital Voices Lead Fellow (2013), HOW Fund Fellow (2010). African Feminist Forum and Nigerian Feminist Forum member.
National Diploma in Accounting, Federal Polytechnic Offa (2005). BA History, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (2016). Manages day-to-day operations at CWAAF Nigeria.
Bachelor's in Adult Education and Political Science, University of Ibadan. NEMA Emergency Vanguard member. With CWAAF Nigeria from its inception.
Distinguished scholar in Comparative Politics. Former Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada. Led Ford Foundation-funded Program on Ethnic and Federal Studies. Visiting professor at Yale, Cambridge, Northwestern, and Dartmouth.
MA International Journalism, City University London. CEO, Citigate Communications Ltd. Former London correspondent for African Concord and Africa Economic Digest.
From mental health workshops in Ilorin schools to university outreach sessions — a glimpse into CWAAF's on-the-ground programs across Kwara State.
Various studies and reports have shown that access to mental health services, psychological trauma treatment, counseling, information, education, and awareness remains a significant challenge in Nigeria. According to the WHO, approximately 60 million Nigerians experience depression annually, while between 20% and 30% of the population are actively dealing with one form of mental health condition or another.
CWAAF provides professional mental health consultancy services to public, private, educational, healthcare, humanitarian, and corporate institutions — helping organizations build psychologically safe, resilient, and high-performing environments.
Supporting organizations in developing workplace mental health policies, employee wellbeing strategies, and psychosocial support systems tailored to their context and workforce.
Conducting comprehensive organizational mental health assessments to identify risks, gaps, and opportunities for improving staff wellbeing, resilience, and overall performance.
Delivering training on psychological first aid, stress management, trauma-informed care, burnout prevention, resilience building, and employee wellness for teams at all levels.
Supporting leadership teams in creating psychologically safe, inclusive, and productive work environments where employees feel valued, heard, and supported.
Designing and implementing staff wellness programs that promote mental health awareness, prevention, and early intervention — embedding wellbeing into organizational culture.
Providing guidance on crisis response, critical incident management, and post-trauma recovery — equipping organizations to respond effectively when staff face acute psychological distress.
Whether you're an individual, institution, or researcher — there's a meaningful role for you in CWAAF's mission.
Your contribution directly funds community outreach, trauma research, and family wellness programs across Kwara State and beyond.
Donate NowNGOs, government bodies, universities, and corporates can co-design programs, provide technical resources, or co-fund research initiatives.
Become a PartnerMental health professionals, researchers, and advocates can contribute expertise, field hours, or co-author studies with our team.
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Whether you're a donor, researcher, institution, or community champion — there's a place for you in this mission.