Dr. Ihunanya Egegbara is a graduate of Medicine and Surgery with 15 years’ experience in psychiatry practice, eight of which have been in the capacity of a consultant. She is more popularly known simply as Dr. Nayah.

She developed keen interest in the study of human behavior and the mind’s influence on this during her National Youth Service (NYSC). This led her to specialize in Psychiatry at The Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Surulere, Lagos.

She is a Fellow of The West African College of Physicians (Psychiatry) (FWACP, psych) and a Fellow of The National Postgraduate Medical College (FMCPsych). Her earlier education was at The Federal Government Girls’ College Owerri, after which she obtained her M.B.B.S. degree at Abia State University.

Having observed the interactive role of the environment and education on child development, she undertook studies in the Montessori form of education which avails children of intellectual materials that aid learning and all round development. She is therefore also a Montessori educationist.

Dr Egegbara volunteers with a non-profit organization named M.I.N.D Trust which focuses on mental health information dissemination and advocacy. This organization which she started with a senior colleague about 11 years ago, focuses on preventative approach towards achieving mental well-being. Part of the organisation’s focus is the training of teachers for early detection and treatment of mental issues in pupils and students. She also volunteers with the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN).

She has been on several mental health talk shows on television and radio, including Moments with Mo, Channels TV Sunrise, Silverbird TV, and Oriental Radio station. She has held various leadership positions with The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), the umbrella body of psychiatrists in the country.

Dr Egegbara is also involved in the training and certification of doctors specializing in Psychiatry. She has carried out some research work, contributing to the available scientific knowledge on mental health. She has a keen interest in promoting mental health using a preventative approach.

It is in recognition of her contribution to national development in the field of Human Medicine (Psychiatry) that Dr Ihunanya Egegbara is deemed worthy to be conferred with the Woman of Merit Gold Award.