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The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to decriminalising attempted suicide in Nigeria, setting December 2025 as the target date for the reform.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, stated this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Abuja, in commemoration of the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action.”

Globally, September 10 is dedicated to raising awareness and recommitting to saving lives that otherwise might be lost to suicide.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 720,000 people die due to suicide every year. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds, and 73 per cent of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.

In Nigeria, one of the most significant barriers to seeking help has been the criminalisation of attempted suicide under Sections 327 and 231 of the Criminal and Penal Codes, as the punitive approach has discouraged distressed individuals from seeking help and worsened stigmatisation.

To address this, the Federal Government inaugurated a National Taskforce on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide on October 10, 2024, chaired by Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, with a mandate to guide Nigeria’s transition from punishment to a public health–oriented, compassionate response.

Pate, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the briefing, Daju Kachollom, said, “Evidence shows that with increased public awareness, early identification of warning signs, improved access to mental health care, and compassionate community support, suicide rates can be significantly reduced.