The Federal Government has commenced steps to remove criminal penalties for attempted suicide following the approval of the decriminalisation proposal by the Federal Executive Council.
The move is expected to pave the way for amendments to relevant provisions of the Penal Code and Criminal Code when the proposal is presented to the National Assembly.
The development was disclosed in Abuja during an event organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to commemorate the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day.
Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, represented at the event by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said the FEC approval followed the work of the National Task Force on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide.
The task force has held consultations and policy engagements with government agencies, legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners and people with lived experience.
Salako described the proposed reform as both a public health and human rights measure, arguing that people experiencing mental health crises should receive care and support rather than face punishment.
He expressed optimism that the legislative process would be completed without unnecessary delay.
The minister also disclosed that the government was working to integrate mental health services into other areas of the healthcare system.
According to him, Standard Operating Procedures for integrating mental health services into HIV care are being developed, while the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme has been directed to prepare a memorandum on incorporating mental health services into primary healthcare for consideration by the National Council on Health.
He said the move would help bring mental health services closer to Nigerians, particularly people who lack access to specialised psychiatric facilities.
However, stakeholders at the event cautioned that decriminalising attempted suicide alone would not resolve the country’s suicide crisis.
A representative of the Nigeria Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, Taiwo Sheik, said criminalisation was only one aspect of the challenge and called for a comprehensive national response.
Sheik advocated improved collection of suicide and suicidal behaviour data, crisis intervention services, dedicated funding, specialised training for healthcare workers and first responders, as well as full implementation of the National Mental Health Act 2021.
He said Nigeria had set a target of reducing suicide deaths and attempts by 50 per cent by 2030, adding that legislative reform alone would not be sufficient to achieve the goal.
Sheik estimated annual suicide deaths in Nigeria at about 16,000 and described the situation as a major public health crisis.
The President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, Veronica Nyamali, also raised concerns over the country’s shrinking mental health workforce.
Nyamali said professionals were leaving the country, while some medical residents were abandoning psychiatric training.
She noted that decriminalisation could encourage people experiencing psychological distress to seek help without fear of prosecution, but stressed the need for government to ensure that adequate mental health services were available.
An official of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Juan Carlos, called for greater attention to people affected by conflict and violence.
He noted that distance, insecurity and the cost of healthcare often prevent vulnerable populations from accessing mental health services.
Civil society organisations also urged the government to address the social and economic conditions that can contribute to suicidal behaviour, rather than focusing solely on treatment.
Speaking on behalf of people living with HIV in Nigeria, Isah Takuma called for mental health interventions to become an integral part of HIV services.
He urged the government to fully integrate mental health support into HIV programmes as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said its suicide prevention efforts were guided by the National Mental Health Act 2021, National Mental Health Policy 2023 and National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023 to 2030.
The 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day was marked with the theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” alongside the call to action, “Start the Conversation.”
The campaign seeks to shift public discussions on suicide away from stigma, fear and misinformation towards compassion, understanding and timely access to support.
The ministry said its broader objective was to build a society where people experiencing emotional or psychological distress could seek assistance without fear of criminal sanctions, discrimination or stigma.
