The Federal Government has announced that by December 2025, attempted suicide will no longer be treated as a criminal offence in Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday as part of activities marking the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme is “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action.”
World Suicide Prevention Day, held every September 10, highlights global efforts to reduce suicide, which the World Health Organisation estimates claims over 720,000 lives annually. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15–29, with 73 per cent of cases occurring in low- and middle-income nations.
Nigeria has long faced criticism for criminalising attempted suicide under Sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes, a policy that experts say discourages people in crisis from seeking help. To reverse this, government inaugurated a National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide in October 2024, led by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe.
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Speaking on behalf of Pate, Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom said, “Evidence shows that with increased public awareness, early identification of warning signs, improved access to mental health care, and compassionate community support, suicide rates can be significantly reduced.
“And this year’s theme calls on us to replace silence with dialogue, shame with empathy, and stigma with understanding. It reminds us that our words matter, our attitudes matter, and our collective actions matter.”*
He explained that the ministry had finalised a government white paper and developed the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025, aimed at repealing punitive provisions in existing laws. The draft has already been endorsed by the ministry and is undergoing further review by the Attorney-General’s office. “After this, I will be presenting a memo at the Federal Executive Council for an Executive Bill on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide,” he added.
Kachollom further stressed that stigma and under-reporting remain major challenges in Nigeria. Represented by the Director of Port Health Services, Dr. Nse Akpan, she noted, “The reality is clear: criminalising suicide attempts does not save lives. Instead, it worsens stigma, discourages people from seeking help, and adds legal punishment to personal suffering. Our ministry is determined to change this narrative by promoting a more humane, health-centred response.”
National Mental Health Programme Coordinator, Dr. Tunde Ojo, said the initiative reflects global best practices where suicide is treated as a health issue rather than a crime.
Also speaking, Vice President of Integration and Nigeria Country Director at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Dr. Olufunke Fasawe—represented by Dr. Chizoba Fashanu—warned that Nigeria ranks seventh worldwide in suicide cases, stressing the urgency of reforms to curb the trend.
