Nigerian government to make attempted suicide non-criminal offence – Minister

The Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the criminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria by December 2025, reaffirming its commitment to treating the issue as a public health challenge rather than a crime.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action.”

Every year on September 10, the global community observes Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness and intensify efforts to save lives. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 720,000 people die from suicide annually. It is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29, with 73 per cent of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

In Nigeria, the continued criminalisation of attempted suicide under Sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes has long discouraged people in crisis from seeking help, while fuelling stigma and fear of punishment.

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To change this, the government inaugurated a National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide on October 10, 2024. The committee, chaired by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, was tasked with steering the country’s transition from punitive measures to a compassionate, health-focused response.

Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Pate 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.

“Recognising the urgency for reform, the Federal Government took decisive action and, on the 10th of October 2024, the ministry inaugurated a national taskforce on the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.

“The taskforce was mandated to guide the transition from punishment to a compassionate, public health-oriented response, with a clear target to actualise decriminalisation by December 2025, which means we have less than four months.”

The minister further revealed that a white paper has been finalised and a draft amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021—now known as the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025—has been prepared to strike out punitive provisions in the criminal code.

He added that the ministry has already adopted the draft as its official position and is working closely with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to refine it. “After this, I will be presenting a memo at the Federal Executive Council for an Executive Bill on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide,” he explained.

In her remarks, Kachollom, represented by Dr. Nse Akpan, Director of Port Health Services, stressed that despite under-reporting, suicide remains a pressing issue in Nigeria. She said this year’s theme underscores the need to back awareness with compassion, reforms, and practical interventions.

“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,” she stated.

Dr. Tunde Ojo, National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, described the reform as being in line with global best practices, where suicide is treated as a health matter, not a crime.

Also delivering a goodwill message, Dr. Olufunke Fasawe, Vice President of Integration and Country Director of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, represented by Dr. Chizoba Fashanu, noted that Nigeria ranks seventh worldwide in suicide cases and emphasised the urgency of reform.