The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved an amendment to Nigeria’s National Mental Health Act aimed at decriminalising attempted suicide.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed the development after the FEC meeting in Abuja. He said the proposed amendment would now be transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and enactment.
According to Pate, the reform is intended to shift Nigeria’s approach from treating people who attempt suicide as criminals to treating them as individuals who may require mental-health care, protection and psychosocial support.
He explained that attempted suicide remains criminalised under provisions of the Criminal Code Act and Penal Code, which were inherited from colonial-era legislation.
The minister argued that criminalising attempted suicide could discourage people experiencing psychological distress from seeking help and does not align with the supportive approach contained in the National Mental Health Act 2021.
Pate said the government’s proposed amendment followed consultations involving the Ministries of Health and Justice, mental-health advocates, a task force and stakeholders within the National Assembly.
He said the government hopes the reform will contribute to a reduction in suicide deaths and attempts by 15 per cent by 2030.
The minister cited World Health Organisation figures indicating that more than 7,000 suicide deaths are recorded annually in Nigeria, while hundreds of thousands of attempts are estimated to occur each year.
He further noted that the consequences extend beyond individuals to families, friends and communities, with many Nigerians requiring psychosocial support.
The proposed legal change represents a significant shift in government policy, placing greater emphasis on mental-health intervention rather than punishment.
Under the proposed framework, people experiencing psychological distress would be directed toward appropriate care and support instead of facing criminal prosecution solely because they attempted to harm themselves.
The Federal Government believes the reform could also encourage people experiencing mental-health difficulties to seek assistance without fear of arrest or prosecution.
The amendment will, however, still require consideration and approval by the National Assembly before it becomes law. The FEC’s approval is therefore an important step in the legislative process rather than the final enactment of the proposed change.
The development has been welcomed as part of wider efforts to strengthen mental-health policy and improve access to appropriate support for vulnerable Nigerians.
The government is also pursuing other health-sector reforms and investments aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and services across the country.
As the proposed amendment moves to the National Assembly, attention will now turn to lawmakers and other stakeholders who will consider the details of the legislation.
If approved and enacted, the reform would change the legal treatment of attempted suicide in Nigeria and place greater emphasis on healthcare, prevention and support.
