The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria, setting December 2025 as the target date for the reform.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, stated this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja, in commemoration of the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action.”
Globally, September 10 is dedicated to raising awareness and recommitting to saving lives that otherwise might be lost to suicide.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 720,000 people die due to suicide every year. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds, and 73 per cent of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
In Nigeria, one of the most significant barriers to seeking help has been the criminalisation of attempted suicide under Sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes, as the punitive approach has discouraged distressed individuals from seeking help and worsened stigmatisation.
To address this, the Federal Government inaugurated a National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide on October 10, 2024, chaired by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, with a mandate to guide Nigeria’s transition from punishment to a public health–oriented, compassionate response.
Pate, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the briefing, Daju Kachollom, 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.”
He noted that a government white paper had been finalised, while a draft amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021, now the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025, had been developed to repeal punitive provisions in the Criminal and Penal Codes.
The minister stated that he has reviewed and adopted the draft white paper and amendment bill as the official position of the Ministry.
He further noted that there has been continued statutory engagement with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, along with his team, for additional input.
“After this, I will be presenting a memo at the Federal Executive Council for an Executive Bill on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide,” he added.
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Daju Kachollom, stated that though cases are under-reported in Nigeria due to a stigmatising environment, suicide is a growing concern.
Kachollom, who was represented by the Director of Port Health Services, Dr. Nse Akpan, highlighted that this year’s focus is not only to raise awareness but also to show commitment to preventing suicide through compassion, interventions, and reforms.
“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 said.
The National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr. Tunde Ojo, said the reform aligns with global best practices where suicide is treated as a public health concern, not a crime.
In her goodwill message, the Vice President of Integration and Nigeria’s Country Director at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Dr. Olufunke Fasawe, represented by Dr. Chizoba Fashanu, said Nigeria ranks seventh globally in suicide cases, stressing the need for reforms to tackle the problem.
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