Nigeria's Government Moves to Decriminalize Suicide Attempts

On 17 September 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced a significant shift in its approach to attempted suicide, moving towards decriminalization. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare's position, which will now proceed to the National Assembly for legislative action.

This decision, articulated by Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, represents a fundamental change in treating individuals in suicidal crisis as those needing urgent healthcare rather than offenders. The initiative stems from the work of the National Task Force on Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide, which included various stakeholders such as government institutions and civil society organizations.

The ministry emphasized that decriminalization is not just a legal reform but a public health and human rights imperative, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behavior among those experiencing mental health crises. Stakeholders urged lawmakers to expedite the legislative process to address the ongoing suicide crisis effectively.