A woman in yellow shirt using a smartphone for AI-based therapy in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s mental health crisis is severe, with too few psychiatrists for its massive population and therapy costing the equivalent of a week’s groceries. In this vacuum, a new solution is flourishing: AI chatbots. Platforms like Chat Kemi and FriendnPal offer free, instant emotional support to those who cannot afford or access traditional care. For users like 23-year-old Joy Adeboye, harassed by a stalker, the chatbot provides a non-judgmental space to vent and receive immediate guidance. While users praise their accessibility and affordability, experts warn that AI cannot replace professional care and raise concerns about data privacy. However, for many Nigerians, the anonymous, always-available presence of a bot offers a simple but profound comfort—the feeling that, even in the middle of the night, someone is there.
The Guardian