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Nigeria moves to decriminalise attempted suicide
Nigeria's Federal Executive Council has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021 to decriminalise attempted suicide. The move aims to shift the national response from criminal punishment to medical and psychological care.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, stated that the reform seeks to replace colonial-era laws—specifically provisions in the Criminal Code Act and Penal Code—that currently treat individuals in psychological distress as offenders. The government has set a target to reduce suicide cases and attempts by 15 per cent by 2030.
Pate noted that suicide remains a significant public health issue, citing World Health Organisation data that attributes over 7,000 annual deaths to suicide in Nigeria. The proposed amendment will be transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment.
Additionally, the Council approved the National Centre for Oral Health Establishment Bill 2026, intended to create a national institution for oral health research, training, and referral.
Entities
Federal Executive Council · Muhammad Ali Pate · National Assembly · Nigeria · World Health Organisation
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The government aims to reduce suicide cases and attempts by 15 per cent by 2030. theglittersonline.com.ng · healthwise.punchng.com · www.thecable.ng
- [● 2 SOURCES] The amendment will be sent to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. healthwise.punchng.com · www.thecable.ng
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Federal Executive Council approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide. theglittersonline.com.ng · healthwise.punchng.com · www.thecable.ng
- [● 2 SOURCES] Attempted suicide is currently criminalised under colonial-era laws, specifically Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code. healthwise.punchng.com · www.thecable.ng
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Federal Executive Council approved the National Centre for Oral Health Establishment Bill 2026. www.thecable.ng
- [○ 1 SOURCE] World Health Organisation data indicates suicide causes more than 7,000 deaths annually in Nigeria. healthwise.punchng.com