By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has announced significant progress toward decriminalizing attempted suicide in Nigeria, describing the reform as a critical step in tackling stigma and strengthening suicide prevention efforts nationwide.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide, Creating Hope Through Action.”
Prof. Pate who was represented by the ministry Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom said the government inaugurated a National Taskforce on the Decriminalization of Attempted Suicide in October 2024, with a mandate to ensure reforms are finalized before December 2025.
The taskforce, he noted, has already produced a draft Government White Paper and a proposed amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021. These documents seek to repeal punitive provisions in Nigeria’s Criminal and Penal Codes, prohibit the prosecution of survivors, and guarantee access to care and support.
“I have adopted the draft White Paper and Amendment Bill as the official position of the Ministry,” Pate said. “Further engagements have been held with the Attorney-General of the Federation, and I will soon present a memo at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for an Executive Bill on decriminalization. Very soon, criminalization will be a thing of the past in Nigeria.”
The minister stressed that criminalizing suicide attempts has worsened stigma, discouraged help-seeking, and denied survivors the compassion and medical care they deserve.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to scaling up investments in mental health, integrating services into primary healthcare, expanding community-based care, and building workforce capacity to provide psychosocial support.
Calling for collective action, Pate urged health professionals, religious and community leaders, policymakers, security agencies, the media, and families to play active roles in reshaping perceptions around suicide. “Let us remind everyone that suicide is not an option, there is help, and there is hope,” he said.
The coordinating minister further comments the partners supporting Nigeria’s mental health initiatives and emphasized that the government envisions a future where no Nigerian suffers in silence due to stigma or lack of access to care.
In her opening remarks, Permanent Secretary Kachollom who was represented by the Dr Nse Akpan, Director of Port Health Services FMOHSW, described suicide as one of the gravest yet often neglected public health challenges of the time.
She noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over 700,000 lives are lost globally every year to suicide, equivalent to one life every 40 seconds.
According to her, the ministry, through the National Mental Health Programme, has made significant progress, including:
The National Mental Health Act 2021, which provides a modern framework for mental health governance in Nigeria.
The National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework (2023–2030), outlining practical, evidence-based measures for prevention.
The National Taskforce on the Decriminalization of Attempted Suicide, inaugurated in October 2024, with the mandate to advance reforms through a multi-sectoral, evidence-driven, and human rights–based approach.
“In Nigeria, though cases are underreported due to stigma and legal constraints, we know suicide is a growing concern that cuts across all groups. The human, social, and economic costs are immense,” Kachollom said.
She stressed that criminalizing suicide attempts worsens stigma and discourages people from seeking help. “Criminalizing suicide attempts does not save lives. Instead, it adds legal punishment to personal suffering. Our Ministry is determined to change this narrative by promoting a more humane, health-centered response,” she added.
Stakeholders across health, faith-based, and civil society organizations have thrown their weight behind the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s renewed efforts to tackle Nigeria’s rising suicide burden, calling for urgent decriminalization of suicide attempts and expansion of mental health services.
Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), represented by Chizoba Pashano, emphasized the urgency of addressing the crisis.
“Nigeria ranks 7th globally for suicide. Behind these grim statistics are families and communities. Changing the narrative could not have come at a better time,” Pashano said.
She noted that CHAI has been supporting the Ministry of Health through an innovative mental health program integrating depression, anxiety, and suicide screening into decentralized health settings.
“We affirm our commitment to work with the ministry to decriminalize suicide and make mental health care more accessible,” she added.
Country representative of Secure the Future International Initiative (SDF) highlighted its work in schools and higher institutions, raising awareness on suicide prevention, bullying, and mental health education among young people.
Also, The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) drew attention to communities affected by armed conflict in the Northeast. Its representative noted that suicide is an emerging concern in conflict zones and announced targeted awareness campaigns involving community stakeholders in Borno and Adamawa states.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) stressed the need for faith-based organizations to be at the forefront of advocacy.
“We call on all stakeholders to support the bill on decriminalization of suicide attempts in Nigeria. Suicide should not be punished but prevented,” CAN’s representative stated.
Adding a deeply personal perspective, Hauwa Ojeifo, founder of She Writes Women, shared her lived experience with a mental health condition and a suicide attempt.
“At the point where I should have been receiving help, I was told I had committed a crime. This is why decriminalizing suicide is crucial. Changing the narrative means humanizing the experience and putting lived voices at the decision-making table,” she said.
Her organization operates a 24/7 toll-free helpline which has logged over 10,000 calls and averted more than 75 potential suicide attempts nationwide.
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Dr. Joe Bitsimon representative of Association of Clinical Psychologists in Nigeria also pledged support, stressing that attempted suicide is not a crime but a cry for help.
“People going through mental health challenges need care, not punishment,” he said.
Other speakers underscored the importance of prevention strategies, workplace mental health awareness, and community-based interventions.
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