Paragraph 1: The Nigerian Federal Government has reinforced its dedication to decriminalizing attempted suicide, aiming for full implementation by December 2025. This commitment was reiterated by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, during a press briefing held in Abuja to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2025. The theme for the year, “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action,” underscores the global effort to shift perspectives on suicide from a criminal act to a public health issue requiring compassionate and proactive interventions. This aligns with the World Health Organization’s recognition of suicide as a significant global health concern, responsible for over 720,000 deaths annually.
Paragraph 2: Suicide’s disproportionate impact on young people (15-29 years old) as the third leading cause of death, coupled with its prevalence in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria, highlights the urgent need for reform. Currently, sections 327 and 231 of the Nigerian Criminal and Penal Codes criminalize attempted suicide. This punitive approach, rather than deterring suicide attempts, has created a barrier to accessing much-needed help and has exacerbated societal stigma around mental health issues. Individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts are less likely to seek support due to fear of prosecution. This legal framework, therefore, hinders effective prevention and intervention efforts.
Paragraph 3: Recognizing the critical need for change, the Nigerian government established the National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide in October 2024. Chaired by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, the task force is tasked with guiding the country’s transition towards a more compassionate and public health-focused response to suicide attempts. This signifies a shift from penalizing individuals to providing the necessary mental health support and resources. The task force aims to achieve decriminalization by December 2025, leaving a short timeframe for accomplishing the necessary legislative changes.
Paragraph 4: Professor Pate emphasized the potential for significant reductions in suicide rates through various strategic interventions. These include increased public awareness campaigns to educate the population about suicide warning signs, improved accessibility to mental health services, and establishing robust community support systems to provide compassionate care for those struggling with suicidal ideation. He highlighted the power of language and societal attitudes in shaping the narrative around suicide, urging a shift from silence and shame to open dialogue, empathy, and understanding. This approach reflects the core message of the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day theme.
Paragraph 5: Concrete steps are being taken to actualize decriminalization. A government white paper has been finalized, and a draft amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021, now the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025, has been developed. This amendment bill aims to repeal the punitive provisions within the Criminal and Penal Codes related to attempted suicide. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare has reviewed and adopted both the white paper and the amendment bill, representing the ministry’s official position. Further consultations are underway with the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Justice to finalize the legal framework. Following this, an Executive Bill on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval.
Paragraph 6: While official statistics may underrepresent the true scale of the problem due to stigma and underreporting, suicide remains a growing concern in Nigeria. The Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Daju Kachollom, stressed the urgency of not only raising awareness but also demonstrating a tangible commitment to suicide prevention through compassionate interventions and legislative reforms. Dr. Tunde Ojo, National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, reinforced that the reform aligns with global best practices, recognizing suicide as a public health concern requiring treatment and support, not punishment. The Clinton Health Access Initiative also highlighted Nigeria’s high global ranking in suicide cases, further emphasizing the pressing need for these critical reforms. This collaborative effort from various stakeholders underscores the collective commitment to addressing the challenge of suicide in Nigeria.
