A psychologist, Prof. Andrew Zamani, has called for mandatory psychological assessments for intending couples and security personnel to help reduce rising cases of domestic violence and accidental firearm discharges in the country.
Zamani, who is the President of the Pan-African Psychology Union (PASU) and Chairman of the International Union of Psychology Unions’ Committee on Cross-Border Mental Health Issues, made the call in an interview with journalists in Abuja.
He said such assessments would help identify potential red flags, prevent future conflicts in relationships, and minimise deaths or injuries resulting from accidental firearm discharges.
According to him, while not all psychological assessments yield results directly related to mental health, they often provide insights that can aid self-development and emotional growth.
“In this age and era, psychological assessment is necessary, especially for people who want to make a success of their marital relationships,” Zamani said.
He explained that the tests would help individuals understand their emotional stability and personality traits, enabling them to work on weaknesses and build healthier relationships.
“When you know your strengths and weaknesses — and what kind of person your partner is — it provides enough information to identify areas to improve. With the help of counsellors, couples can prevent avoidable conflicts,” he added.
On firearm safety, the psychologist revealed that PASU had presented psychological assessment advisories to security agencies, who welcomed the initiative.
He said regular mental evaluations of personnel could help detect individuals at high risk of stress or mental health issues, improve firearm handling, and ultimately protect lives.
“We found that some gun handlers showed traits that predict risks for accidental discharge. We confronted them, and they accepted our help. Rather than punish them, they were reassigned to roles with less public risk — and most eventually found fulfilment after receiving support,” Zamani explained.
He reiterated PASU’s commitment to supporting healthcare services and contributing to the development of mental health legislation in Nigeria.
