Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria / Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
FG Moves to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide
The Federal Government has begun moves to remove criminal penalties for attempted suicide in Nigeria.

This follows the approval of its position on decriminalisation by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The decision is expected to lead to an amendment of the relevant sections of the Penal Code and Criminal Code once transmitted to the National Assembly.

The announcement was made on Wednesday in Abuja at an event organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to commemorate the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the FEC approval came after extensive work by the National Task Force on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, which involved consultations with government institutions, legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society, development partners and people with lived experience.

Describing the move as more than legal reform, the Minister said it is a public health and human rights imperative. “People experiencing mental health crises should be provided with care, support and appropriate intervention rather than punishment,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the National Assembly would conclude the legislative process without delay and revealed plans to integrate mental health services into other areas of healthcare. According to him, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for integrating mental health into HIV care are currently being developed, while the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme has been directed to prepare a memorandum for the National Council on Health on integrating mental health into primary healthcare.

Stakeholders at the event, however, cautioned that decriminalisation alone will not solve Nigeria’s suicide crisis.

Prof. Taiwo Lateef Sheik, representing the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, said Nigeria needs improved data on suicide, crisis intervention services, dedicated funding, and specialised training for health workers and first responders, alongside full implementation of the National Mental Health Act 2021. He disclosed that Nigeria records about 16,000 suicide deaths annually and has set a target to reduce suicide deaths and attempts by 50% by 2030.

President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, Dr. Veronica Oluyemisi Nyamali, also noted that the country’s mental health workforce is inadequate and shrinking due to brain drain. She said decriminalisation would encourage people in distress to seek help without fear of prosecution.

Officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and civil society groups also called for attention to conflict-affected populations and the social and economic drivers of suicide.

The Ministry said its suicide prevention efforts are guided by the National Mental Health Act 2021, National Mental Health Policy 2023, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030.

This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with a call to action to “Start the Conversation.”
Source: The Sun Nigeria