Legal and mental health experts have called for an end to the criminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria, warning that punitive laws could discourage vulnerable people from seeking medical attention and psychosocial support.
The call was made at a webinar held on September 30, 2026, titled “The Big Three for One: Roles of Government Arms in Advancing Suicide Prevention.” The event was organised by the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The webinar brought together Justice Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu of the Court of Appeal, representatives of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), mental health professionals, public health experts and civil society organisations.
The Chairman of the National Task Force, Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, described the engagement as an important step towards reforming Nigeria’s legal response to attempted suicide.
Onyemelukwe said the task force was advocating a shift from punishing survivors of suicide attempts to providing them with healthcare, counselling and other support services.
She stressed that legal reform should form part of broader efforts to strengthen suicide prevention and improve access to mental health services.
Justice Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu said attempted suicide remains an offence under Nigeria’s existing criminal laws until the relevant provisions are amended or repealed through the legislative process.
He explained that the judiciary is constitutionally responsible for interpreting and applying existing laws and cannot independently repeal statutory provisions criminalising attempted suicide.
According to him, courts cannot establish a person’s mental health condition without supporting evidence, although relevant mental health circumstances may be considered in judicial proceedings when properly established.
Shuaibu also called for improved mental health training for judges, prosecutors, police officers and other personnel in the criminal justice system to help ensure that people experiencing mental health crises receive appropriate consideration.
Representing the Director-General of NILDS, Egwatu Onyejelem said attempted suicide should primarily be treated as a mental health and public health concern rather than a criminal offence.
He also emphasised the need for practical interventions to complement legal reform, including crisis-intervention services, adequate funding, training for healthcare workers and first responders, and stronger referral systems for people experiencing distress.
The Federal Government has already taken steps towards decriminalising attempted suicide, with the Federal Executive Council approving the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the proposed reform in August 2026.
The proposal is expected to undergo the necessary legislative process at the National Assembly before the relevant legal provisions can be changed.
