FG Takes Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide to National Assembly After FEC Approval

The Federal Government has moved 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 proposed reform.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday while speaking at the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day commemoration, held under the theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom S., the minister said the FEC approval would now pave the way for the proposal to be transmitted to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.

Salako described the proposed decriminalisation as a legal reform as well as a public health and human rights imperative, arguing that people experiencing mental health crises should receive care and support rather than face criminal punishment.

He said removing the fear of criminal sanctions could help reduce stigma, encourage people in crisis to seek help and create opportunities for early intervention.

The minister, however, stressed that changing the law alone would not be enough to prevent suicide, noting that Nigeria must also strengthen mental health services, expand access to quality care, improve early identification and intervention, and increase community support and public awareness.

He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had been strengthening Nigeria’s response to mental health and suicide prevention through instruments including the National Mental Health Act 2021, National Mental Health Policy 2023 and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030.

According to him, the ministry had also established a National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, bringing together government institutions, academics, professional associations, civil society organisations, development partners and people with lived experience.

Salako said the task force had conducted stakeholder consultations, engaged policymakers across the three arms of government, produced a Government White Paper and undertaken advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness campaigns to support the proposed reform.

He called on government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, faith-based and traditional institutions, the media, academics, health professionals and youth organisations to support efforts to change public perceptions of suicide.

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 was committed to strengthening mental health services and integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare.

Nzelu said other priorities included building the capacity of health workers, expanding community-based interventions and strengthening partnerships aimed at suicide prevention.

He urged Nigerians to create an environment where people can discuss mental health challenges openly and seek help without fear of stigma or discrimination.

Also speaking, the Mental Health Programme Manager at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Nigeria, Dr Akanmu Mujitaba, described suicide as a significant public health concern.

Mujitaba said more than 700,000 people die by suicide globally each year, with more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

He added that the World Health Organisation estimates that more than 7,000 suicide deaths and about 300,000 suicide attempts occur annually in Nigeria.

Mujitaba commended the Federal Government for the FEC approval but urged the authorities to ensure that the process proceeds swiftly from policy approval to legislative passage and implementation.

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.