The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, was considered during plenary on Tuesday.
Leading the debate, Ekpenyong said the proposed legislation would address inconsistencies between Nigeria’s criminal laws and its mental health framework in the treatment of people who survive suicide attempts.
He noted that while the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention, Sections 327 of the Criminal Code and 231 of the Penal Code provide for criminal punishment.
“At the heart of this bill is a simple question: when a Nigerian survives a suicide attempt, should the first response of the state be prosecution or protection?” he asked.
The senator argued that criminalising attempted suicide could discourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts from seeking medical assistance and compel families to conceal such incidents for fear of stigma or prosecution.
He said these concerns could delay access to potentially life-saving interventions and undermine efforts to collect reliable data for national suicide prevention programmes.
Ekpenyong stressed that the proposed law was not intended to encourage or legitimise suicide but to prioritise the protection of survivors and ensure they receive appropriate medical and psychological care.
Under the proposed legislation, the government would establish coordinated suicide prevention services, including crisis helplines, referral systems and follow-up care for people who survive suicide attempts.
The bill would also provide for public awareness campaigns and training for healthcare professionals, police officers, teachers and emergency responders to help them identify warning signs and direct vulnerable individuals to appropriate support services.
Ekpenyong said families affected by suicide or attempted suicide should also have access to psychosocial support.
He added that improved data collection and research would enable the government to develop evidence-based policies and strengthen prevention efforts.
The senator further emphasised the need for an institutional and funding framework to ensure that the proposed measures could be implemented effectively.
According to him, removing criminal penalties without providing accessible healthcare and support services would leave a significant gap in the country’s approach to suicide prevention.
He said the committee stage would provide an opportunity to harmonise the bill with the Criminal Code, Penal Code, National Mental Health Act and relevant state laws.
Other senators who contributed to the debate supported the proposed legislation, arguing that attempted suicide should primarily be treated as a mental health concern rather than a criminal offence.
They maintained that people experiencing severe emotional distress needed professional medical attention and appropriate support, adding that detention or imprisonment would not address the underlying causes of their distress.
The lawmakers also called for coordinated efforts involving healthcare providers, educational institutions, families, law enforcement agencies and relevant government bodies to strengthen suicide prevention.
They said further legislative consideration would allow experts and members of the public to contribute to the development of an effective legal framework.
Following the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the bill to a voice vote, and lawmakers approved it for second reading.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committees on Health and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative consideration.
