The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act aimed at decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria.

The Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this after the FEC meeting, describing suicide as a major public health concern in the country.

Pate said the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 7,000 Nigerians die by suicide annually, while about 300,000 suicide attempts are recorded across the country each year.

He noted that despite the scale of the problem, attempted suicide remains criminalised under colonial-era legislation, including Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code.

According to the minister, the existing laws treat people experiencing psychological distress as offenders rather than individuals who require care, protection and support.

He said the criminalisation of attempted suicide discourages people from seeking help and is inconsistent with the National Mental Health Act 2021, which provides for supportive care and treatment for individuals at risk of self-harm.

Pate explained that the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and Justice collaborated on the proposed amendment, which has now received FEC approval.

The amendment is expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and enactment.

If passed, the reform will mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to suicide attempts, moving from punishment towards a public health and mental healthcare response.