FEC Approves Bill to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide in Nigeria

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a landmark amendment to Nigeria’s National Mental Health Act, paving the way for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide. The move signals a major shift in how the country addresses mental health, treating suicide attempts as a public health issue rather than a criminal offence.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad
Ali Pate

Speaking after the FEC meeting, Muhammed Pate, Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, described suicide as a growing concern in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 7,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually, while an estimated 300,000 attempts occur each year.

Despite this burden, attempted suicide has long been criminalised under colonial-era laws — Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code — which classify individuals in psychological distress as offenders. Pate noted that this legal position discourages people from seeking help and directly conflicts with the National Mental Health Act 2021, which emphasises care, protection, and treatment for those at risk of self-harm.

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council of Nigeria FEC

The amendment was developed through collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and has now been passed by the FEC. It will be transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment.

If passed into law, the reform will mark a turning point in Nigeria’s mental health landscape, aligning policy with global best practices and reducing stigma around suicide. For thousands of Nigerians struggling with psychological distress, the change could mean access to care instead of punishment — a step towards building a more compassionate and supportive society.

Written by Boom RadioNG