FG Wants to End Jail Terms for Suicide Attempts: 7 Things Nigerians Need to Know
Mirian Gom 
For decades, a person who survived a suicide attempt in Nigeria could face criminal prosecution instead of receiving mental health support.
That could soon change.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act that would remove criminal penalties for attempted suicide, signalling a shift from punishment to healthcare. However, the proposal is not yet law. It must still be considered and passed by the National Assembly before it can receive presidential assent.
Here are seven important things Nigerians should know about the proposed reform.
Attempted suicide could no longer be a criminal offence
If the amendment becomes law, people who survive suicide attempts would no longer be prosecuted under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act or Section 231 of the Penal Code.
Those provisions, inherited from colonial-era legislation, currently make attempted suicide a criminal offence.
The focus is expected to shift from punishment to treatment
The proposed amendment reflects the government’s position that suicide is a public health issue rather than a criminal matter.
Instead of criminal prosecution, the emphasis is expected to be on medical care, psychological assessment, counselling and rehabilitation for people experiencing severe emotional or mental distress.
More people may be encouraged to seek help
Health officials say the fear of arrest or prosecution discourages some people experiencing suicidal thoughts from seeking professional help.
By removing criminal penalties, the government hopes more people will access mental health services earlier, allowing intervention before a crisis escalates.
The reform is backed by troubling statistics
According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 7,000 people die by suicide in Nigeria each year, while about 300,000 suicide attempts are recorded annually.
The government says these figures highlight the need for a healthcare-based response to suicide prevention.
The proposal aligns with Nigeria’s Mental Health Act
The amendment is designed to complement the National Mental Health Act 2021, which promotes the protection, treatment and rehabilitation of people living with mental health conditions.
The government says removing criminal sanctions is consistent with the law’s objective of expanding access to mental healthcare and protecting vulnerable individuals
The amendment does not legalise or encourage suicide
Decriminalising attempted suicide does not mean suicide is being condoned or encouraged.
Rather, it recognises that people who attempt suicide are often experiencing significant psychological distress and are more likely to benefit from medical care and social support than criminal prosecution.
The law has not changed yet
Although the Federal Executive Council has approved the amendment, Nigerians should note that the proposal has not yet taken legal effect.
The bill will now be transmitted to the National Assembly for debate and possible passage. Only after it is passed by both chambers and signed by the President will the proposed changes become law.
Why these matters
Mental health advocates have long argued that criminalising attempted suicide increases stigma and discourages people from seeking help during moments of crisis.
If enacted, the amendment would mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s legal and public health approach—moving away from punishment and towards treatment, rehabilitation and suicide prevention.
The proposal also brings Nigeria closer to international public health recommendations that encourage governments to treat suicide as a mental health issue requiring compassion and timely intervention rather than criminal sanctions.
About the Author
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Hope Ajayi 
Korede Abdullah 