FEC Approves FG’s Move to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide in Nigeria

By Pan Afric Reporters

The Federal Government has taken a major step towards decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria following the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the proposed reform.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ado Bako, following the commemoration of the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day in Abuja on Thursday, September 10.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom S. mni, said the FEC approval would now pave the way for the proposal to proceed to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.

Salako expressed optimism that the legislative process would be concluded without delay, describing the proposed decriminalisation as both a legal reform and a public-health and human-rights imperative.

“A person experiencing a mental health crisis should be met with care, support and appropriate intervention, rather than punishment,” the Minister said.

He explained that removing the fear of criminal sanctions could help reduce stigma, encourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts or crises to seek help and create greater opportunities for timely intervention.

According to him, the proposed reform is not intended to make suicide prevention solely a matter of legislation, stressing that sustained investment in mental health services, early identification and intervention, community support and public awareness remained essential.

“We must continue to strengthen mental health services, expand access to quality care, promote early identification and intervention, support persons with lived experience, empower communities and foster open conversations that replace fear and discrimination with empathy and hope,” Salako said.

The Minister said the Federal Government’s position was consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, saving lives, reducing suffering and improving access to quality healthcare.

He disclosed that the Ministry had strengthened the country’s response to mental health and suicide prevention through 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.

Salako further revealed that the Ministry had established the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, bringing together representatives from government, academia, professional associations, civil society organisations, development partners and persons with lived experience.

The Task Force, he said, had conducted extensive stakeholder consultations, engaged policymakers across the three arms of government, developed a Government White Paper to guide decision-making and undertaken advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness campaigns on suicide prevention and decriminalisation.

Earlier, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Charles Nzelu, represented by the National Coordinator of NASCP, 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’s commitments included strengthening mental health services, integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare, building the capacity of health workers, expanding community-based interventions and strengthening partnerships.

He noted that the decriminalisation initiative had involved extensive stakeholder engagement, evidence generation, policy dialogue, advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness.

According to him, government institutions, legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners, youth representatives and persons with lived experience had contributed to the process.

He 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.

“The commemoration is not merely an annual observance, but an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge, raise public awareness and mobilise concrete actions towards preventing suicide in Nigeria,” Nzelu said.

In his goodwill message, Dr. Akanmu Mujitaba, Mental Health Programme Manager, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Nigeria, described suicide as a significant public-health concern, noting that more than 700,000 people die by suicide globally every year.

He said more than 70 per cent of global suicide deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, adding that the burden in Nigeria also remained significant.

Mujitaba cited World Health Organisation estimates indicating that Nigeria records more than 7,000 suicide deaths and approximately 300,000 suicide attempts annually.

“Behind each figure are families and communities changed by loss, and a clear reminder that suicide is preventable when systems, policy, and compassion act together,” he said.

He reaffirmed CHAI’s continued support for Nigeria’s suicide-prevention efforts and commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Mental Health Programme for driving the decriminalisation initiative.

Mujitaba described the FEC approval as an important beginning and urged the Ministry to sustain the momentum until the proposal receives full legislative passage.

Salako also called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, faith-based and traditional leaders, the media, academia, healthcare professionals, youth organisations and Nigerians generally to join efforts to change the narrative around suicide.

He stressed that suicide prevention was a shared responsibility requiring coordinated action across government and society.

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on September 10 to raise awareness about suicide prevention and promote collective action to reduce suicide and suicidal behaviour globally.