The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria will formally decriminalise attempted suicide by December 2025, describing the reform as a shift from punishment to compassion in addressing mental health challenges.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday to mark the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action.”
Pate, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, explained that criminalising attempted suicide had discouraged people in distress from seeking help and worsened stigma around mental health.
“Evidence shows that with increased awareness, early identification of warning signs, access to mental health care, and compassionate community support, suicide rates can be significantly reduced,” Pate said.
He added: “Recognising the urgency for reform, the Federal Government inaugurated a national taskforce on October 10, 2024, to guide the transition from punishment to a public health–oriented response, with a clear target to actualise decriminalisation by December 2025. That means we have less than four months.”
The minister confirmed that a government white paper and draft amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021—now the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025—had been developed to repeal punitive provisions in Nigeria’s Criminal and Penal Codes.
The ministry has also engaged with the Attorney-General of the Federation for further input before forwarding an executive bill to the Federal Executive Council.
In her remarks, Kachollom, represented by Dr. Nse Akpan, Director of Port Health Services, stressed that criminalising suicide attempts worsens suffering rather than preventing deaths. “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 pain,” she said.
Dr. Tunde Ojo, National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, noted that the reform would align Nigeria with global best practices where suicide is treated as a public health issue, not a crime.
Similarly, the Vice President of Integration and Country Director of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Dr. Olufunke Fasawe—represented by Dr. Chizoba Fashanu—warned that Nigeria ranks seventh globally in suicide cases. She said the reform was urgently needed to save lives.
