Lux Terra Leadership Foundation has launched its Nigeria Campus of the Psycho-Spiritual Institute (PSI), marking a significant milestone in addressing the country’s mental health challenges. Affiliated to Veritas University, Abuja, the Institute received accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for its two postgraduate programmes: The Post Graduate Diploma in Psycho-Spiritual Trauma Healing and the Master’s Degree in Psycho-Spiritual Therapy. This development is timely, considering Nigeria’s rising mental health concerns, including depression, psycho-trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorders, fuelled by political instability, economic hardship, and social upheaval.
According to Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, “The establishment of this campus is an urgent imperative, given the escalating mental health needs in Nigeria. We are committed to providing holistic, integrated training that combines modern psychology with spiritual and cultural perspectives.” It would be recalled that the Kenyan Campus has produced nine sets of M.A. degree graduates in Psycho-Spiritual Therapy from 26 African countries since 2013.
The Nigeria campus has already enrolled its first set of students, with 13 pursuing the Master’s degree and 30 enrolled in the Post Graduate Diploma programme. “The training dynamics at PSI will place great premium on the wholesome personality growth and integration, and the transformation of the trainee therapists themselves, in such a manner that upon graduation, they can function effectively as ‘healed healers,’” Fr. Ehusani emphasised.
The programmes cater to professionals and volunteers interacting with traumatised individuals, offering a hybrid online and residential format. Upon graduation, students will be equipped to provide integrated therapy support, facilitating healing and growth in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, and communities. Prof. Andrew Zamani, former President of the Nigerian Psychological Association, praised the initiative, saying, “This is a significant step forward in addressing Nigeria’s mental health gaps. The integration of psycho-spiritual approaches will provide more effective solutions for our unique challenges.” Among those present at the occasion were Fr. Hyacinth Ichoku, the Vice Chancellor of Veritas, Mrs. Bridget Itsueli, member of the Board of Trustees of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, and her husband, Dr. Imo Itsueli, Bishop Duke Akamisoko of the Anglican diocese of Kubwa, Prof. Titus Ibekwe, Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja, and Msgr. Michael Ekpenyong, former Secretary General, CSN. There were 43 pioneering students of the Abuja campus of the Institute made up 13 students for Masters and 30 students for PGD.
The event also featured the award of certificates to graduates of the Institute’s weeklong Basic Psycho-Trauma Healing Skills course. Beneficiaries of the Psycho-Spiritual Institute’s programmes, include Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, pioneering Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, who spoke on behalf of all the students of the Institute. Lux Terra Leadership Foundation demonstrates its commitment to addressing Nigeria’s mental health needs and promoting wholesome growth and development.
