The Federal Executive Council has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act aimed at decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja.
Pate said the proposed reform was designed to change the way the government responds to people who attempt suicide, particularly those experiencing mental health challenges.
According to him, suicide remains a major public health concern, with World Health Organisation data indicating that more than 7,000 people die by suicide annually in Nigeria, while about 300,000 suicide attempts are recorded each year.
He added that more than 450,000 Nigerians require psychosocial support annually as a result of the impact of suicide and related mental health challenges.
Pate said attempted suicide remains criminalised under colonial-era provisions, including Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code.
He explained that the existing provisions were inconsistent with the National Mental Health Act 2021, which provides for care, protection and treatment for people at risk of self-harm.
The minister said the criminalisation of attempted suicide could discourage people experiencing psychological distress from seeking help.
“Attempting suicide is not a crime. If someone, because of mental health illness, attempts to harm themselves within the context of those colonial-era laws, you can arrest them and prosecute them for breaking the law,” Pate said.
He explained that the proposed amendment would shift the government’s approach from punishment to care and support for people experiencing mental health crises.
Pate said the amendment followed extensive consultations involving the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and Justice, mental health advocates and a task force established following a resolution of the House of Representatives.
He said the Federal Executive Council had approved the proposed amendment, which would now be transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and enactment.
The minister expressed optimism that the reform would encourage people at risk of suicide to seek help and contribute to reducing suicide attempts and deaths.
He said the government was targeting a 15 per cent reduction in suicide by 2030.
The proposed reform is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s mental health system and provide appropriate support for people experiencing psychological distress.
