The Federal Government is moving to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the issue.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while speaking at the commemoration of the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day.
Salako, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom S. mni, said the matter would now be taken to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.
He expressed hope that the process would be concluded without delay.
‘People Need Care, Not Punishment’
Salako said decriminalising attempted suicide was necessary from both a public health and legal standpoint.
He said people going through a mental health crisis should be helped rather than punished.
“A person experiencing a mental health crisis should be met with care, support and appropriate intervention, rather than punishment,” he said.
According to him, removing criminal penalties could reduce the fear and stigma associated with seeking help and encourage people in crisis to get support early.
The minister, however, noted that changing the law would not by itself stop suicide.
He said the government would continue to work on mental health services, early intervention and community-based support, while encouraging more open conversations about mental health.
Reform to Go Before National Assembly
Salako said the move was in line with the government’s efforts to improve the country’s health system under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also identified the National Mental Health Act 2021, National Mental Health Policy 2023 and National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030 as some of the policies guiding Nigeria’s response to mental health and suicide.
He said the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide had held consultations and discussions with stakeholders, including policymakers across the three arms of government.
The engagements, he said, were aimed at building support for the proposed change in the law.
Ministry to Improve Suicide Data
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr Tunde Ojo, said Nigeria also needed better data on mental health, suicide and attempted suicide.
Ojo said the ministry was working with surveys and other data collection methods to produce reliable national figures within the next year.
He also acknowledged the support of partners and stakeholders involved in the discussions around the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr Ade Bash, who delivered remarks on behalf of the Director of Public Health, Dr Charles Nzelu, said the ministry would continue to work on integrating mental health services into primary healthcare.
He also said the government would expand community-based interventions and strengthen partnerships around suicide prevention.
Partners and stakeholders at the event welcomed the government’s decision and expressed support for the legislative process.
The Ministry of Health said it would continue working to ensure that people experiencing mental health challenges can seek help without fear of punishment, stigma or discrimination.
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