A remarkable breakthrough in mental health technology is emerging from a Nigerian in the diaspora. Prof. Nchebe-Jah Iloanusi, based in the United States, has developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model capable of predicting the onset of depression in real time, even before clinical symptoms become obvious.
The AI tool works by fusing data from heart rate variability (HRV), sleep patterns, and speech biomarkers extracted via large language models, enabling detection of subtle physiological and behavioral shifts that typically precede formal diagnosis.
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According to Iloanusi, traditional methods of diagnosis depend on self-reporting or episodic evaluations, which often lead to delays or underdiagnosis.
With approximately 280 million people affected worldwide by depression—and a large fraction remaining undiagnosed until advanced stages—this innovation could revolutionize early intervention.
If successfully validated for large populations, the model may be integrated into wearables, telehealth systems, and mobile health platforms to monitor mental wellness continuously.
However, Prof. Iloanusi cautions that the system is not a substitute for psychiatric evaluation, emphasizing the need for ethical safeguards, data privacy, informed consent, and rigorous clinical validation.
This development places Nigeria on the map in the global AI and mental health frontier.
