The Federal Government has taken steps to decriminalize attempted suicide in Nigeria following the approval of its position by the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, Salako said the proposal would now be transmitted to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.
He said decriminalizing attempted suicide would shift the response from punishment to care and support for people experiencing mental health crises.
“A person experiencing a mental health crisis should be met with care, support, and appropriate intervention, rather than punishment,” Salako said.
He added that removing criminal sanctions could reduce stigma and encourage people in crisis to seek help.
Attempted suicide remains a criminal offence under provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code and Penal Code. The proposed reform is aimed at replacing the punitive approach with treatment, protection, and psychosocial support.
The minister, however, stressed that legal reform alone would not prevent suicide, calling for stronger mental health services, early intervention, community support, and public awareness.
The Federal Ministry of Health said the reform followed consultations by a National Task Force on the Decriminalization of Attempted Suicide involving government agencies, mental health professionals, legal experts, civil society groups, and people with lived experience.
