Nigeria's FEC Approves Mental Health Reform Bill

On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved a proposed amendment to Nigeria’s mental health legislation aimed at decriminalizing attempted suicide. Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, announced that the amendment will be presented to the National Assembly as an executive bill.

The reform seeks to replace the criminalization of attempted suicide, currently classified under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code, with a focus on treatment, care, and psychosocial support. Pate highlighted that suicide claims over 7,000 lives annually in Nigeria, with approximately 300,000 attempts recorded each year.

The proposed changes are expected to reduce suicide attempts by 15% by 2030 and emerged from consultations with mental health advocates. The FEC also approved an executive bill for establishing a National Centre for Oral Health.