By Fatima Saka
ABUJA, Sept. 10, 2026 — The Federal Government has moved to end the criminal punishment of people who survive suicide attempts, with the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s position on the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.
The decision marks a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to suicide attempts, with the government advocating care, psychological support and timely intervention instead of criminal sanctions for people experiencing mental health crises.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at the commemoration of the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom S. mni.
Salako said the FEC approval would enable the proposal to proceed to the National Assembly for the required legislative process, expressing optimism that the process would be concluded without delay.
According to him, decriminalising attempted suicide is not merely a legal matter but 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,” he said.
The minister said criminal sanctions could deepen the fear and stigma associated with suicide and discourage vulnerable people from seeking help, adding that removing such fears could encourage help-seeking and facilitate early intervention.
He, however, cautioned that changing the law alone would not be sufficient to address suicide, stressing the need for increased investment in mental health services, early identification of people at risk, community support and public awareness.
Salako said the ministry had established the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, which brought together government institutions, academics, professional bodies, civil society organisations, development partners and persons with lived experience.
He said the task force had undertaken stakeholder consultations, policy engagements across the three arms of government, evidence generation, advocacy and sensitisation, culminating in the development of a Government White Paper to guide decision-making.
Earlier, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Charles Nzelu, represented by the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, said the ministry was strengthening its national response to mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
Nzelu said the measures included integrating mental health services into primary healthcare, strengthening community-based interventions, building the capacity of health workers and expanding partnerships.
He said the ministry’s decriminalisation initiative had deliberately involved legal experts, mental health professionals, youth representatives, civil society organisations and persons with lived experience to ensure that the proposed reform reflected the realities of Nigerians.
Also, the Mental Health Programme Manager, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Nigeria, Dr. Akanmu Mujitaba, said suicide remained a major public health concern, with more than 700,000 people dying by suicide globally every year.
Mujitaba said the World Health Organisation estimated that Nigeria records more than 7,000 suicide deaths and about 300,000 suicide attempts annually.
He commended the ministry for securing FEC approval, describing it as an important beginning, and urged the government to ensure that the proposal progresses to full legislative passage.
He said suicide prevention required more than policy changes, urging stronger systems, compassionate responses and access to appropriate mental healthcare.
Salako called on government institutions, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, faith and traditional leaders, the media, academia and youth organisations to support efforts to change the narrative on suicide.
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He said creating an environment where people could speak about mental health and seek help without fear of stigma or punishment was essential to preventing avoidable deaths.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on September 10 to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mobilise collective action to reduce suicide and suicidal behaviour globally.
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