Our Story
In the period leading to Nigeria's independence in 1960, an ambitious generation emerged, including doctors drawn to the United Kingdom where psychiatry was evolving into a modern, evidence-based discipline. Amongst the pioneers was Africa's foremost Western-trained psychiatrist, Dr Thomas Adeoye Lambo who became a specialist in 1952 and enrolled at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London. He was later appointed Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organisation and became renowned for his work in ethno-psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology.
Professor Emeritus Thomas Adeoye Lambo after receiving the academic collar at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in April 1975. He was the first Nigerian Psychiatrist in the United Kingdom.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Nigerian psychiatrists established themselves in the UK with strong clinical foundations and cultural insights. By the 1990s, they had become educators, researchers, and policy influencers advocating for global mental health frameworks. Professor Femi Oyebode at the University of Birmingham exemplified this excellence, integrating literature, ethics, and culture into descriptive psychopathology and psychiatric practice. Through the 2000s and into the 21st century, new generations continued this legacy in the United Kingdom. Organisations such as the Association of Black Psychiatrists UK emerged to preserve the pioneers' vision, with Dr Lade Smith serving as President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists between 2023-2026.
Founding Committee
✦ Dr Hal Abdullahi (Interim President)
✦ Dr Raphael Ogbolu
✦ Dr Bawo James
✦ Dr Raliat Akerele (Interim Treasurer)
✦ Dr Amana Mazai Sadiq
✦ Dr Olayiwola Ajileye (Interim Secretary)
This core group led the initial development of NPUK, served as its caretakers from formation until the first Annual General Meeting. They were responsible for articulating and refining the vision, mission, drafting the constitution, governance frameworks, and other foundational documents. They also coordinated charity registration activities, appointed the minimum required initial trustees, established membership criteria, and built consensus by convening the first members of NPUK. In addition, the committee established foundational infrastructure, committees, programmes, and prepared for a democratic transition by developing election procedures.
In April 2026, NPUK became a recognised association within the RCPsych Diaspora Groups Committee and also achieved formal registration as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, with Charity Number: 1217719.