FG Moves To Decriminalise Attempted Suicide, FEC Approves Proposal

The federal government has commenced moves to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, following the approval of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s position on the matter by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while commemorating the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day, with the theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”

Salako, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said following the FEC approval, the proposal would proceed to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.

He expressed optimism that the process would be concluded without delay, describing the decriminalisation of attempted suicide as both a legal reform and a public health and human rights imperative.

He said people experiencing mental health crises should receive care, support and appropriate intervention rather than punishment.

“A person experiencing a mental health crisis should be met with care, support and appropriate intervention, rather than punishment. Removing the fear of criminal sanctions can help reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking and create greater opportunities for timely intervention,” he said.

The minister, however, stressed that legislative reform alone would not prevent suicide, noting that sustained investment in mental health services, early identification and intervention, community support and public awareness remained critical.

He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had continued to strengthen Nigeria’s response to mental health and suicide prevention through key policy and legal instruments, including the National Mental Health Act, 2021, National Mental Health Policy, 2023, and National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030.

Salako further disclosed that the ministry had established the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, comprising stakeholders from government, academia, professional associations, civil society organisations, development partners and persons with lived experience.

He said the task force 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 activities on suicide prevention and decriminalisation.

The minister called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, faith-based and traditional leaders, the media, academia, healthcare professionals, youth organisations and Nigerians to support efforts to change the narrative on suicide.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said the ministry remained committed to strengthening mental health services, integrating mental health into primary healthcare, building the capacity of health workers, expanding community-based interventions and strengthening partnerships.

Kachollom, whose remarks were delivered by the Director of Public Health, Dr Charles Nzelu, represented by Dr Adebobola Bashorun, said the ministry had facilitated extensive stakeholder engagement, evidence generation, policy dialogue, advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness through the National Task Force on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide.

She said the process had brought together government institutions, legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners, youth representatives and persons with lived experience.

The permanent secretary urged Nigerians to create an environment where people could speak openly about their mental health, express their emotions and seek help early without fear of stigma or discrimination.