Details checked 3 November 2026
The federal psychiatric hospital at Dawanau, drug counselling, and a free helpline that answers in Hausa.
Getting help in Kano State
The hospital at Dawanau, on Katsina Road, used to be Kano State's psychiatric hospital and became the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in 2023. It has 160 beds and doctors on call around the clock for emergencies. Its departments cover general and addiction psychiatry, children and adolescents, older people, psychotherapy and neurology.
Drug use is a pressing problem in Kano. In July 2026 the governor declared a statewide public health emergency on substance abuse. The NDLEA's Kano State Command runs a counselling centre on Airport Road for people trying to stop.
Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital is a federal teaching hospital, but its website doesn't mention a psychiatry service, so it isn't listed here until we can confirm one.
Hausa is the language of most homes in Kano. The NDLEA's free helpline offers support in Hausa for anyone affected by drug use. Most Mytherapist.ng therapists work in English for now, and every session is online.
1 service
Federal neuropsychiatric hospital · Dawanau
Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.
1 service
Federal drug agency centre · Kano
For people who aren't physically dependent, or who have finished a medically supervised withdrawal. Anyone dependent on alcohol, sedatives or opioids should see a hospital first.
No number for the centre itself. The NDLEA helpline can confirm the address.
Details from the institution's own website, checked 3 November 2026.
Free or low-cost lines
These answer callers in Kano State and across the country. The full list, including lines for violence and trafficking, is on our helplines page.
National emergency number
If someone is in danger right now. The nationwide rollout isn't finished, so if 112 doesn't connect, go to the nearest hospital emergency unit.
Police, fire and ambulance
Safe Place Nigeria
Trained counsellors from She Writes Woman. Anyone in Nigeria can call, and you don't need call credit.
24 hours
Lagos Lifeline
Free crisis support and counselling from the Lagos State Ministry of Health. Open to anyone in Nigeria, not only Lagos.
SURPIN
Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative. Trained counsellors for emotional support and crisis help.
Its site says its toll-free line is answered 24 hours
MANI (Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative)
A mental health charity. Its "Get help now" button opens WhatsApp.
Hours aren't published on its site
NDLEA drug helpline
Support for anyone affected by drug use, their own or someone else's. In English, Pidgin, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.
24 hours
Talking therapy
Hospitals are the place for emergencies, admission and medication. For talking therapy, Mytherapist.ng sessions happen by video, voice or chat, so you can see a licensed therapist from home in Kano State without waiting for a clinic day.
Good to know
Yes. The former Kano State Psychiatric Hospital at Dawanau is now the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kano. The federal takeover was completed in May 2023.
The NDLEA runs a free helpline that offers support in Hausa, at any hour, for anyone affected by drug use, their own or someone else's. The other lines on this page take calls from anywhere in Nigeria.
The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital at Dawanau has an addiction psychiatry service, and the NDLEA's Kano State Command runs a counselling centre on Airport Road. Coming off alcohol, sedatives or opioids suddenly can be dangerous, so start with a hospital.
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