NAN reports that Owoyele spoke at the maiden Global Engagement and Advocacy Programme on Monday.
He said the high rate of mental disorders was caused by substance abuse and an increase in the burden of neurological diseases.
The President of the Ilorin Neuroscience Group (ING) appealed to the government to make more budgetary provision for the health sector.
Owoyele lamented that around two per cent of budgetary allocation for the sector was meagre for a country like Nigeria.
The expert urged philanthropists to assist in the funding of research for solutions to brain-related diseases.
He further advocated more public enlightenment programmes to educate citizens on research participation.