The Federal Government has taken a major step towards decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria, following the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the matter.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day, held under the theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.”
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom S., the Minister said the matter would now proceed to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.
He expressed optimism that the process would be concluded without delay.
Salako described the decriminalisation of attempted suicide as not only a legal reform but also a public health and human rights imperative, stressing that 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,” the Minister said.
While describing the FEC approval as a major milestone, Salako emphasised that legislation alone would not prevent suicide, stressing the need for sustained investment in mental health services, early identification and intervention, community support and public awareness.
“We must continue to strengthen mental health services, expand access to quality care, promote early identification and intervention, support persons with lived experience, empower communities and foster open conversations that replace fear and discrimination with empathy and hope,” he said.
Salako said the Federal Government’s action was consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health system, saving lives, reducing suffering and improving access to quality healthcare.
He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had continued to strengthen the national 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.
The Minister 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 explained that the Task Force had conducted extensive stakeholder consultations, engaged policymakers across the three arms of government, developed a Government White Paper to inform decision-making, and undertaken advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness activities on suicide prevention and decriminalisation.
Salako called on government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, faith-based and traditional leaders, the media, academia, healthcare professionals, youth organisations and Nigerians across the country to join the Federal Government in changing the narrative on suicide.
He reiterated that suicide prevention is a shared responsibility.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Charles Nzelu, represented by the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, said the Ministry remained committed to providing strategic leadership and coordination for mental health promotion and suicide prevention through the implementation of national policies and strategies.
Nzelu said other commitments included strengthening mental health services, integrating mental health into primary healthcare, building the capacity of health workers, expanding community-based interventions and strengthening partnerships.
The Director also highlighted ongoing national efforts towards the decriminalisation of attempted suicide, noting that the Ministry, through the National Task Force on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, had facilitated extensive stakeholder engagement, evidence generation, policy dialogue, advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness.
He explained that the inclusive process had brought together government institutions, legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners, youth representatives and persons with lived experience.
According to him, their contributions were essential to developing a response that reflects the realities and needs of Nigerians.
Nzelu urged Nigerians to create an environment where people can speak openly about their mental health, express their emotions and seek help early without fear of stigma or discrimination.
He noted that the commemoration was not merely an annual observance but an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge, raise public awareness and mobilise concrete actions towards preventing suicide in Nigeria.
He called on all stakeholders to remain committed to changing the narrative on suicide and building a society where people experiencing mental health challenges can access timely care, support and hope.
In his goodwill message, the Mental Health Programme Manager at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Nigeria, Dr. Akanmu Mujitaba, said suicide remained a significant public health concern.
He disclosed that globally, more than 700,000 lives are lost to suicide each year, with over 70% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
In Nigeria, he said the World Health Organisation estimates more than 7,000 suicide deaths and roughly 300,000 suicide attempts annually.
He noted that behind each figure are families and communities changed by loss, describing the figures as a reminder that suicide is preventable when systems, policy and compassion act together.
While reaffirming CHAI’s continued support, Mujitaba commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Mental Health Programme for driving the milestone.
He described the Council’s approval as a beginning and encouraged the Ministry to carry the achievement through to full legislative passage soon.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on September 10 to raise awareness about suicide prevention and promote collective action to reduce suicide and suicidal behaviour globally.
