The Federal Government has commenced moves to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria following the approval of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s position on the matter by the Federal Executive Council.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
Salako, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the FEC approval had cleared the way for the matter to be transmitted to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.
He expressed optimism that the legislative process would be concluded without delay.
The minister described the proposed decriminalisation as both a public health and human rights imperative, arguing that people experiencing mental health crises should receive care and support rather than punishment.
“A person experiencing a mental health crisis should be met with care, support and appropriate intervention, rather than punishment. Removing the fear of criminal sanctions can help reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking and create greater opportunities for timely intervention,” Salako said.
He, however, stressed that decriminalising attempted suicide alone would not prevent suicide, noting that the government must sustain investment in mental health services, early identification and intervention, community support and public awareness.
“We must continue to strengthen mental health services, expand access to quality care, promote early identification and intervention, support persons with lived experience, empower communities and foster open conversations that replace fear and discrimination with empathy and hope,” he added.
Salako said the initiative was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the health system, saving lives and improving access to quality healthcare.
He noted that the ministry had strengthened the country’s response to mental health and suicide prevention through the National Mental Health Act, 2021, the National Mental Health Policy, 2023, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry had established the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, comprising representatives of government, academia, professional associations, civil society organisations, development partners and persons with lived experience.
According to him, the task force has conducted stakeholder consultations, engaged policymakers across the three arms of government, developed a government white paper to guide decision-making and undertaken advocacy and public awareness campaigns on suicide prevention and decriminalisation.
Earlier, the Director of Public Health, Dr Charles Nzelu, represented by the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, said the ministry remained committed to providing strategic leadership for mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
Nzelu said the ministry was working to strengthen mental health services, integrate mental healthcare into primary healthcare, build the capacity of health workers, expand community-based interventions and strengthen partnerships.
He said the National Task Force had also facilitated stakeholder engagement, evidence generation, policy dialogue, advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness as part of efforts to decriminalise attempted suicide.
The director urged Nigerians to create an environment where people could speak openly about their mental health, express their emotions and seek help early without fear of stigma or discrimination.
Also speaking, the Mental Health Programme Manager at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Nigeria, Dr Akanmu Mujitaba, said suicide remained a significant public health concern globally.
Mujitaba said more than 700,000 people die by suicide globally each year, with over 70 per cent of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
He added that the World Health Organisation estimated that more than 7,000 people die by suicide and about 300,000 suicide attempts occur annually in Nigeria.
Mujitaba commended the ministry and the National Mental Health Programme for the FEC approval, describing it as an important beginning and urging the government to pursue the legislative process to full passage.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on September 10 to raise awareness about suicide prevention and promote collective action to reduce suicide and suicidal behaviour globally.