… Minister Says Punitive Laws Fuel Stigma, Worsen Suffering
… Bill To Amend Mental Health Act Heads To FEC
The Federal Government has announced December 2025 as the deadline to complete the process of decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria, describing the move as urgent in light of worsening economic realities driving mental health crises across the country.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide, Creating Hope Through Action.”
Pate, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said the reform was long overdue, as punishing suicide survivors under the nation’s criminal and penal codes has only deepened stigma and worsened suffering.
“The reality is clear: criminalising suicide attempts does not save lives. Instead, it worsens stigma, discourages people from seeking help, and adds legal punishment to personal suffering,” Kachollom stated.
He confirmed that the government had concluded work on a white paper and a draft amendment bill titled the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025, which will repeal punitive provisions in existing laws.
The bill, he said, is awaiting final input from the Attorney-General of the Federation before presentation to the Federal Executive Council.
The government had in October 2024 inaugurated a National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, chaired by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, to steer the country’s transition from a punitive to a health-centred response.
National Mental Health Programme Coordinator, Dr. Tunde Ojo, explained that the reform would align Nigeria with global best practices by treating suicide as a public health issue rather than a criminal offence.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 720,000 people die by suicide annually worldwide, with three-quarters of such deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
Rising inflation, unemployment, and deepening poverty have fuelled despair across Nigeria, with many cases of attempted suicide under-reported due to stigma and fear of prosecution.
Prof. Pate stressed the need for urgent reform, adding that “with increased public awareness, early identification of warning signs, improved access to mental health care, and compassionate community support, suicide rates can be significantly reduced.”
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