Decriminalise Attempted Suicide law reform set for December 2025 as FG aligns with mental health best practices to reduce stigma and save lives

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed plans to decriminalise attempted suicide by December 2025, marking a significant shift in the nation’s approach to mental health and suicide prevention.

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Announced during a press briefing on World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, the move aims to transform suicide attempts from a criminal offence into a public health issue, promoting compassion over punishment.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, represented by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, said the decriminalisation is part of a broader strategy to “change the narrative on suicide and create hope through action.”

Nigeria’s current laws under Sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes criminalise attempted suicide, a stance that health experts and rights advocates have long condemned for exacerbating stigma and discouraging people from seeking help.

In response, the FG inaugurated a National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide in October 2024, chaired by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe.

The taskforce’s goal is to develop a framework that supports mental health reform and a non-punitive approach to suicide prevention.

“The taskforce was mandated to guide the transition from punishment to a compassionate, public health-oriented response,” Pate said.

The government has already finalised a white paper and drafted an amendment to the National Mental Health Act, now titled the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025, aimed at repealing punitive provisions.

There are ongoing engagements with the Attorney-General of the Federation to review the draft bill, which will be presented to the Federal Executive Council as an Executive Bill.

According to the World Health Organisation, over 720,000 people die by suicide each year, with 73% of global suicides occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.

Suicide is also the third leading cause of death among people aged 15–29, highlighting the urgent need for interventions based on empathy, not incarceration.

“The reality is clear: criminalising suicide attempts does not save lives,” said Kachollom. “Instead, it worsens stigma, discourages people from seeking help, and adds legal punishment to personal suffering.”

Health professionals, civil society, and global partners have voiced support for the government’s direction.

Dr. Olufunke Fasawe, Nigeria’s Country Director at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, noted that Nigeria ranks 7th globally in suicide cases, reinforcing the urgency for systemic change.

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Meanwhile, Dr. Tunde Ojo, National Coordinator for the Mental Health Programme, said the planned reform aligns with global best practices, ensuring Nigeria addresses suicide as a health issue, not a crime.