“You Cannot Criminalise Despair and Ignore Its Root Causes” — Dr. Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri Calls For Mental Health Reform in Nigeria

Dr Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri, founder of the Motivating African Youths Initiative (MAY-I), has called for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria, urging the government to prioritise mental healthcare, rehabilitation and economic empowerment over punitive measures.

Ekwubiri made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday in response to remarks attributed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio during deliberations on the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026.

She described the criminalisation of attempted suicide as an issue of public health, human dignity and responsible governance, arguing that survivors needed care and support rather than condemnation or imprisonment.

“Suicide survivors need care, not condemnation; rehabilitation, not incarceration; hope, not further despair,” she said.

Highlighting the socioeconomic challenges confronting Nigerians, Ekwubiri cited United Nations estimates indicating that Nigeria recorded approximately five suicide deaths per 100,000 people in 2021.

She also referenced National Bureau of Statistics data showing that 133 million Nigerians, representing 63 per cent of the population, were multidimensionally poor in 2022.

According to her, a United Nations-supported food security assessment also projected that 33.1 million Nigerians would face acute food insecurity during the 2025 lean season.

She said economic hardship, unemployment, food insecurity and inadequate access to healthcare required urgent and sustainable interventions.

“We cannot continually demand resilience from citizens while failing to demand responsible stewardship, accountability and measurable improvements in their welfare from those entrusted with leadership,” she said.

The MAY-I founder commended Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong and Dayo Faduyile for advocating a healthcare-centred approach to suicide prevention, urging lawmakers to prioritise legislation that protects human dignity, promotes rehabilitation and strengthens support systems for vulnerable citizens.

She identified the decriminalisation of attempted suicide, affordable mental healthcare, stronger social protection, youth employment and women’s economic empowerment as key measures needed to address the underlying causes of despair.

Ekwubiri, who is also the Country President of World Women Leading Change Nigeria, said mental health, economic prosperity and accountable leadership were interconnected pillars of sustainable development.

She noted that the proposed interventions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing health and well-being, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, and strong institutions.

According to her, Africa’s development should be measured beyond economic growth figures to include the dignity, well-being, security and opportunities available to its citizens.

“Nigeria cannot legislate away despair while neglecting the conditions that deepen human suffering. We must stop asking our people merely to survive adversity and start building systems that give them genuine opportunities to thrive,” she said.

Ekwubiri urged governments, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector to work together to expand access to mental healthcare, empower young people economically, promote women’s inclusion and strengthen public accountability.

Through MAY-I, she said, she continued to champion youth leadership, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and sustainable community development.

“Leadership must never lose its humanity. The true measure of governance is not merely the laws we enact, but the lives we protect and the dignity we preserve,” she added.

She concluded: “A life saved is a future preserved. A people protected is a nation strengthened.”