NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT TO DECRIMINALIZE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

The Federal Government has set December 2025 as deadline to decriminalize attempted suicide in Nigeria, as part of broader reforms to improve mental health services and tackle the stigma surrounding mental illness.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, announced this yesterday in Abuja during a press briefing to mark the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, with the theme ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide: Creating Hope Through Action.’

Pate, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said although attempted suicide in Nigeria remains criminalized under Sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes, the government has begun preparing the National Mental Health Act Amendment Bill 2025.

He said the bill is aimed at removing punitive clauses, formally decriminalizing attempted suicide, preventing the prosecution of survivors, and improving care and support structures, adding that the bill has been adopted as the ministry’s official position and forwarded to the Attorney-General of the Federation for further input.