FG Targets December 2025 to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria, with December 2025 set as the target date for the reform.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day. The global commemoration, held annually on September 10, is themed this year: “Changing the Narrative on Suicide, Creating Hope Through Action.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 720,000 people die by suicide annually worldwide, making it the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–29. About 73 per cent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
In Nigeria, experts have long identified the criminalisation of attempted suicide under Sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes as a major barrier to effective intervention. The punitive law not only deters people in distress from seeking help but also fuels stigma and discrimination.
To reverse this trend, the Federal Government inaugurated a National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide on October 10, 2024, chaired by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe. The taskforce was mandated to guide Nigeria’s transition from punishment to a public health–oriented and compassionate response.
Speaking at the briefing on behalf of the minister, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, 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. This year’s theme calls on us to replace silence with dialogue, shame with empathy, and stigma with understanding. Our words, attitudes, and collective actions truly matter.”
Pate further revealed that a government white paper has already been finalised, while a draft amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021—now the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025—has been developed to repeal punitive provisions in the Criminal and Penal Codes.
He added that statutory consultations with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice are ongoing.
“Once concluded, I will present a memo at the Federal Executive Council for an Executive Bill on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide,” the minister noted.
In her remarks, Kachollom acknowledged that while suicide cases are often under-reported in Nigeria due to stigma, the problem is worsening. Represented by the Director of Port Health Services, Dr. Nse Akpan, she emphasised:
“Criminalising suicide attempts does not save lives. It worsens stigma, discourages help-seeking, and adds legal punishment to personal suffering. Our ministry is determined to change this narrative by promoting a humane, health-centred response.”
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Mental Health Programme, Dr. Tunde Ojo, said the reform aligns with global best practices, where suicide is addressed as a public health concern rather than a crime.
Delivering a 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—stressed that Nigeria ranks seventh globally in suicide cases, underscoring the urgency of reform.
With the December 2025 deadline approaching, stakeholders say the government’s decisive action represents a critical step toward building a more compassionate, supportive, and health-oriented system of care for Nigerians struggling with suicidal thoughts.
