21 August 2026

LifeLine International and Global Honorary Patron H.E. Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki Welcome Federal Executive Council Approval of Proposed Amendment to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide in Nigeria

Proposed amendment to the National Mental Health Act to be transmitted to the National Assembly as an executive bill

ABUJA, 20 August 2026 – LifeLine International and its Global Honorary Patron, Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, welcome the decision of the Federal Executive Council of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to approve a proposed amendment to the National Mental Health Act with the stated aim of ending the application of colonial-era provisions that treat attempted suicide as a criminal offence.

As announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the proposal was developed jointly with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, and recognises that a person who attempts to take their own life is a person in acute distress who needs care, protection and psychosocial support. We commend the Minister, the Attorney-General and the members of the House of Representatives whose resolution established the task force that brought this proposal forward.

This decision builds upon sustained advocacy by Nigerian psychiatrists, legal experts, survivors, families and civil society, convened through the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, whose concept bill was presented to the Coordinating Minister and the Attorney-General at the National Suicide Prevention Conference in Abuja in October 2024 and introduced in the Senate by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong in February 2025. The journey now moves to the National Assembly, where both chambers will have the opportunity to examine the proposed text and enact legislation that is humane, precise and enforceable across the Federation.

Nigeria is a focus country of LifeLine International’s commitment to support efforts to Decriminalise Suicide Worldwide. LifeLine International works alongside partners and our dedicated Member Network of 40 Members across 31 countries to support suicide prevention worldwide. In Nigeria, attempted suicide is still punishable under Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code, although national reforms are now underway to shift from punishment to care.

Evidence from countries that have already taken this step, including Ghana and Malaysia, both of which decriminalised attempted suicide in 2023, shows clear benefits. When the law stops punishing people at their most vulnerable, help-seeking increases, families speak more openly, stigma reduces, and lives are saved.

We look forward to reviewing the full text of the amendment once published, and we stand ready to support the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with technical expertise and comparative legal insight, so that decriminalisation is matched by investment in prevention, helplines, community care and the training of health and justice professionals.

Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Global Honorary Patron of LifeLine International, said:

“I receive this news with profound gratitude and hope. A law that arrests a person for surviving their darkest hour has never protected anyone, and it has kept too many from the help they need. The decision of the Federal Executive Council, under the leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, signals that Nigeria is ready to treat mental health as health, and to meet distress with dignity, care and clinical support rather than prosecution. I commend the President, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the many Nigerian advocates, clinicians and legislators whose patient work has brought this moment within reach, and I look forward to the day when the National Assembly completes this work and every Nigerian in crisis knows that reaching out will be met with the same compassion we extend to any other illness.”

Thilini Perera, Chief Executive Officer of LifeLine International, said:

“This is an encouraging and significant moment for Nigeria and for the global movement to decriminalise suicide. We congratulate the Federal Government on its leadership and will continue to work with our Nigerian partners through every stage of the legislative process until compassion is written into law. We also recognised the work of our Africa Lead, Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, as well as our Member organisations in Nigeria, Asido Foundation and SURPIN, for their commitment to suicide prevention.”

ENDS

LifeLine International is the global federation of crisis support services, working in more than 20 countries to ensure that anyone in distress can access help. LifeLine’s work to Decriminalise Suicide Worldwide involves working partners and LifeLine’s Member Network to reduce stigma, reform laws and promote access to life-saving services. www.lifeline-international.com | www.25crimes.org

Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki is Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and was appointed Global Honorary Patron of LifeLine International on World Mental Health Day 2024.

Attempted suicide is currently criminalised in Nigeria under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. In Nigeria, confidential support is available through the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN) on 0800 800 2000 and the Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) on 0809 111 6264.

Media Contact
Toyin Saraki Global Policy and Philanthropy Office: Zelia Bukhari, zelia.bukhari@wbfafrica.org