Suicide

The Federal Government has begun the process of decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria after the Federal Executive Council approved the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the matter. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday during the commemoration of the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day. Salako, who the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, represented at the event, said the government would now forward the proposal to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process. The minister described the proposed reform as both a legal and public health measure, stressing that people experiencing mental health crises need 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. FG to Strengthen Mental Health Support Salako stressed that decriminalising attempted suicide alone would not end suicide in Nigeria. He said the government would continue to strengthen mental health services and expand community-based support. According to him, the government would also prioritise early identification and intervention while encouraging more open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. Salako identified the National Mental Health Act 2021, National Mental Health Policy 2023 and National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030 as key policy instruments guiding Nigeria’s response to suicide and mental health challenges. He added that the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide had consulted policymakers and other stakeholders as part of efforts to advance the proposed reform. Government Plans Better Suicide Data Speaking on Nigeria’s mental health data, the National Coordinator, Mental Health Programme, Dr Tunde Ojo, acknowledged gaps in available statistics on suicide and attempted suicide. Ojo said the ministry was conducting surveys and using other data-gathering methods to develop more accurate and verifiable national statistics within the next year. The National Coordinator, National Action for Suicide Prevention, Dr Ade Bash, also reaffirmed the ministry’s plans to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare and strengthen community-based interventions. Stakeholders at the event welcomed the Federal Government’s move to decriminalise attempted suicide and pledged their continued support for the legislative process. They also backed efforts to strengthen suicide prevention programmes, improve access to mental healthcare and provide better support for people experiencing mental health crises in Nigeria.