The decision by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to approve an amendment to the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide is a welcome development Indeed, it is one step that is long overdue. For decades, Nigerians in distress have been caught between two cruel realities: one, the pain that drives them to contemplate ending their own lives; and two, an archaic, colonial-era law that treats what is, at best, a cry for help as a crime.
By voting to shift the approach from punishment to care, protection and support, the Federal Government has acknowledged what health professionals, families and mental health advocates have been saying for years about attempted suicide: it is a public health issue, not a criminal one
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, was right to frame it this way while briefing State House journalists after the FEC meeting. The current provisions in the Criminal Code Act and Penal Code do more harm than good, even if that is not their intention. This is because they discourage people from seeking help, push the problem underground, and conflict directly with the National Mental Health Act 2021, which already mandates supportive care for those at risk of self-harm. You cannot treat and jail the same person at the same time.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) figures cited by the minister, indicating that suicide accounts for more than 7,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, with an estimated 300,000 suicide attempts each year, make the urgency clear
Behind every statistic is an individual, a family, a community and a peculiar story, usually involving unbearable pressure To continue treating these individuals as criminals only adds stigma to suffering.
Since the amendment will first have to go to the National Assembly, our lawmakers in the Senate and the House of Representatives must move quickly to amend the law However, passing the law is only half the work because, if we are really serious about saving lives, we must now build the systems that prevent people from reaching that point of despair in the first place.
We need to start by preventing the triggers rather than simply responding to the act This is because most suicide attempts do not happen in a vacuum. They are preceded by stories of joblessness, crushing debt, academic pressure, domestic violence, illness, grief and the pervasive hopelessness that comes with economic hardship. Decriminalisation removes one barrier, but prevention must address the root causes.
We also need to make counselling accessible and professional so that vulnerable people can get the care, protection and support they need Nigeria has far too few psychiatrists and clinical psychologists for a population of over 220 million. The new amendment should be followed by budgetary commitments to train more mental health professionals and deploy them beyond tertiary hospitals to all states of the federation.
Faith institutions, non-governmental organisations and community leaders need to be engaged to lead sensitisation efforts As is well known, in Nigeria, people often turn first to their pastor, imam, traditional ruler or community association when trouble comes. That makes religious and community structures the frontline of prevention. Mosques, churches, NGOs and community-based organisations must be brought into a national sensitisation campaign. Sermons and Friday khutbahs can address mental health without stigma, teaching that seeking help is not a sign of weak faith. Traditional rulers and youth leaders can hold conversations at the grassroots that normalise talking about depression, grief and financial stress.
The goal should be to create safe spaces for people NGOs already doing grassroots work should be funded and partnered with government to extend their reach.
For their part, families must learn to listen, especially since the burden begins and ends at home Many Nigerians suffer in silence because they fear being called “weak” or “a burden” to their families. We must change that culture. Parents should create room for children to speak openly about school pressure, failure or relationships. Spouses must check in on each other. Friends must learn to ask the right questions sincerely. Opening up should not be seen as complaining. It must be considered the survival strategy that it is.
Government and civil society can support this through public education, radio dramas, social media campaigns and school curricula that teach emotional literacy When people know how to express what they are going through and know they will be met with empathy instead of judgment, fewer may consider suicide their only option.
We must also guard against implementation gaps A law on paper that is not backed by funding, training and public awareness will change nothing. The ministries of health and justice, the National Assembly and the task force that worked on this amendment must now create a clear and transparent implementation plan with achievable timelines.
Decriminalising attempted suicide does not mean we are endorsing it That must be made clear in our messages. It only means we are choosing humanity over punishment. And that message needs to be matched with action.
Prevent the triggers Provide counselling. Mobilise faith leaders, NGOs and communities. Encourage families to talk. If we do all these, this amendment will not just be a legal change; it will be a social and cultural turning point as well.