The Federal Government has commenced moves to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria after the Federal Executive Council approved the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the proposed reform.
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, held with the theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
Salako, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, mni, said the Federal Executive Council’s approval would pave the way for the proposal to be forwarded to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.
The minister expressed optimism that the legislative process would be concluded without delay, describing the proposed decriminalisation as both a public health and human rights imperative.
“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,” he said.
Salako said the reform was not intended to suggest that legislation alone could prevent suicide, stressing that the government must also increase 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 said.
He said the proposed reform was consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the administration’s commitment to strengthening the health system, saving lives, reducing suffering and improving access to quality healthcare.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has continued to strengthen Nigeria’s response to mental health and suicide prevention through key policy and legal instruments, including the National Mental Health Act, 2021, the National Mental Health Policy, 2023, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030.
The minister disclosed that the ministry had also 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.
He said the task force had conducted extensive stakeholder consultations, engaged policymakers across the three arms of government, developed a government white paper to support decision-making and carried out advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness activities on suicide prevention and decriminalisation.
Salako called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, faith-based and traditional leaders, the media, academia, healthcare professionals, youth organisations and Nigerians to support efforts to change the narrative on suicide.
He stressed that suicide prevention was a shared responsibility requiring coordinated action across government and society.
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 and coordination for mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
Nzelu said the ministry’s commitments included strengthening mental health services, integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare, building the capacity of health workers, expanding community-based interventions and strengthening partnerships.
He also highlighted the ministry’s ongoing efforts towards the decriminalisation of attempted suicide, noting that the National Task Force had facilitated stakeholder engagement, evidence generation, policy dialogue, advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness.
According to him, the process had brought together government institutions, legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners, youth representatives and persons with lived experience.
He said the inclusive approach was essential to developing a suicide prevention response that reflected the realities and needs of Nigerians.
Nzelu 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.
He described the World Suicide Prevention Day commemoration as more than an annual observance, saying it provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge, raise public awareness and mobilise concrete action to prevent suicide in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Mental Health Programme Manager, 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 every year, with over 70 per cent of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
He added that the World Health Organisation estimates that Nigeria records more than 7,000 suicide deaths and about 300,000 suicide attempts annually.
He said the figures represented families and communities affected by loss and underscored the need for stronger prevention measures.
Mujitaba commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Mental Health Programme for advancing the decriminalisation process, describing the FEC approval as an important beginning.
He urged the ministry and other stakeholders to sustain the momentum and ensure that the proposed reform proceeds to full legislative 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.
