The Federal Government has taken a major step towards decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved 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., Salako said the matter would now be forwarded to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.
He expressed optimism that the process would be concluded without unnecessary delay.
The minister described the decriminalisation of attempted suicide as both a legal reform and a public health and human rights imperative, arguing that people experiencing mental health crises should receive care and support 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,” Salako said.
While describing the FEC approval as a major milestone, he stressed that legislation alone would not prevent suicide, noting 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 government’s action was consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, saving lives, reducing suffering and improving access to quality healthcare.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had continued to strengthen the country’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.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry had established the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, comprising representatives from government, academia, professional associations, civil society organisations, development partners and persons with lived experience.
According to him, 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 carried out 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 to support efforts to change the narrative around suicide.
He reiterated that suicide prevention was a shared responsibility.
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 remained committed to providing strategic leadership and coordination for mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
Nzelu said the government’s efforts included strengthening mental health services, integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare, building the capacity of health workers, expanding community-based interventions and strengthening partnerships.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts towards decriminalising attempted suicide, saying the National Task Force had facilitated stakeholder engagement, evidence generation, policy dialogue, advocacy, sensitisation and public awareness.
He said the process had brought together government institutions, legal experts, mental health professionals, civil society organisations, development partners, youth representatives and people with lived experience.
Nzelu 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.
He said World Suicide Prevention Day should serve not only as an annual observance but also as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge, raise awareness and mobilise concrete action towards preventing suicide.
In his goodwill message, the Mental Health Programme Manager at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Nigeria, Dr Akanmu Mujitaba, described suicide as a significant public health concern.
He said more than 700,000 people die by suicide globally each year, with more than 70 per cent of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Mujitaba said that in Nigeria, the World Health Organisation estimates more than 7,000 suicide deaths and approximately 300,000 suicide attempts annually.
He said the figures represented families and communities affected by loss and stressed that suicide could be prevented when effective systems, policies and compassionate interventions worked together.
While reaffirming CHAI’s support for the initiative, Mujitaba commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Mental Health Programme for driving the decriminalisation process.
He described the FEC approval as an important beginning and urged the ministry to ensure that the proposal progresses to full legislative passage.
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 worldwide.
