FG Moves to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide Through Mental Health Act Amendment
Mirian Gom 
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act to remove criminal penalties for attempted suicide, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to mental health care.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed the decision after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, describing suicide as a major public health challenge requiring compassion rather than punishment.
According to Pate, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 7,000 people die by suicide annually in Nigeria, while about 300,000 suicide attempts occur each year.
Despite the scale of the problem, attempted suicide remains a criminal offence under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code, provisions inherited from colonial legislation.
Pate said the current legal framework discourages people experiencing psychological distress from seeking professional help because they fear prosecution instead of receiving treatment.
He noted that the proposed amendment aligns with the National Mental Health Act 2021, which promotes supportive care, protection and rehabilitation for individuals at risk of self-harm.
According to him, the Ministries of Health and Justice collaborated on the amendment, which has now received FEC approval and will be transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
Pate said the reform reflects the government’s commitment to treating mental health conditions as healthcare issues rather than criminal offences, while encouraging early intervention and access to mental health services.
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