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A bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and create a national prevention framework has passed its second reading in the Senate, despite opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who argued the act should remain punishable by imprisonment.
Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong of Cross River South, the legislation aims to resolve what he called a contradiction in Nigerian law: the National Mental Health Act treats attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency, while the Criminal Code and Penal Code still criminalise it.
Ekpenyong said decriminalisation without accessible care would be incomplete, noting that suicide has complex causes and requires a health-focused response.
“At the heart of this bill is a simple question: when a Nigerian survives a suicide attempt, should the first response of the state be prosecution or protection?” he asked.
He said criminalisation discourages help-seeking, leads families to conceal attempts and contributes to poor data on the problem.
He also warned that continued punishment could push people in distress to ensure their attempts are fatal.
Under the bill, imprisonment would be replaced with mandatory assessment, referral, treatment and follow-up support.
The legislation also proposes crisis helplines, training for police officers, teachers and health workers, public education and a national data system for suicide prevention.
Akpabio opposed the decriminalisation, saying removing penalties could encourage the act.
“If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail,” he said.
He noted that the issue touches both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code, and that State Houses of Assembly would need to be involved during a public hearing to prevent legal conflicts.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for further action and a public hearing.
The move follows the Federal Executive Council’s approval in September 2026 of an amendment to the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide.
The government said the reform aims to cut suicide deaths and attempts by 15 percent by 2030, citing World Health Organisation data showing more than 20,000 deaths and an estimated 300,000 attempts annually in Nigeria.
Attempted suicide remains punishable by up to one year in prison under colonial-era laws.
