Mental Health: Nigeria to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide, Shift from Punishment to Care
ABUJA, Nigeria—In a landmark decision for mental health advocacy, the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved an amendment to decriminalise attempted suicide, replacing punitive legal measures with compassionate medical care.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, announced the major reform following Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
The proposed bill will now be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative passage.
Why Nigeria is Changing Its Approach
For decades, Nigeria’s criminal and penal codes—inherited from the colonial era—treated attempted suicide as a criminal offence. Minister Pate pointed out that these laws directly clash with the National Mental Health Act of 2021, which mandates protection, care, and treatment for citizens facing mental health crises.
The Staggering Numbers
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the mental health burden in Nigeria is critical. Over 7,000 Nigerians reportedly die by suicide every year, with 300,000 suicide attempts recorded annually across the country.
By decriminalising suicide attempts, the government hopes to erase the stigma and fear of arrest that prevent individuals from seeking life-saving psychiatric help.
