The Federal Government has taken a major step towards decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria, following the approval of the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while commemorating the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom S. Salako said the FEC approval would pave the way for the matter to proceed to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.
He expressed optimism that the legislative process would be concluded without delay, describing the proposed decriminalisation as both a public health and human rights imperative.
According to him, individuals experiencing mental health crises should receive care, support and timely intervention rather than punishment.
Salako said removing the fear of criminal sanctions could reduce stigma, encourage people to seek help and create greater opportunities for early intervention.
He, however, stressed that legislative reform alone would not prevent suicide, noting that sustained investment in mental health services, early identification and intervention, community support and public awareness remained essential.
The minister said the Federal Government had continued to strengthen Nigeria’s response to mental health and suicide prevention through key policy and legal instruments, including the National Mental Health Act, 2021, the National Mental Health Policy, 2023, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030.
He also disclosed that the Ministry had established the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, comprising representatives of government, academia, professional associations, civil society organisations, development partners and persons with lived experience.
Salako said the task force had undertaken extensive stakeholder consultations, engaged policymakers across the three arms of government, developed a Government White Paper to guide decision-making and conducted advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness activities.
He called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, faith-based and traditional leaders, the media, academia, healthcare professionals, youth organisations and Nigerians to support efforts to change the narrative around 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 remained committed to providing strategic leadership and coordination for mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
Nzelu said the Ministry was also focused on strengthening mental health services, integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare, building the capacity of health workers, expanding community-based interventions and deepening partnerships.
He noted that the ongoing decriminalisation process had involved legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners, youth representatives and persons with lived experience, whose contributions, he said, were critical to developing an effective national response.
Nzelu urged Nigerians to create an environment where people could openly discuss their mental health, express their emotions and seek help early without fear of stigma or discrimination.
In his goodwill message, the Mental Health Programme Manager at Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Nigeria, Dr. Akanmu Mujitaba, described suicide as a significant public health concern.
He said more than 700,000 people die by suicide globally every year, with over 70 per cent of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
For Nigeria, Mujitaba said World Health Organisation estimates indicate more than 7,000 suicide deaths and about 300,000 suicide attempts annually.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Mental Health Programme for advancing the decriminalisation process, urging the government to build on the FEC approval and ensure its passage through the National Assembly.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on September 10 to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mobilise collective action to reduce suicide and suicidal behaviour.
