President Bola Tinubu has approved a proposed amendment to Nigeria’s mental health law to end the application of the colonial-era provisions that treat attempted suicide as a criminal offence.
The amendment aims to decriminalise attempted suicide, shifting the country’s approach from prosecution of people in psychological distress to treatment, care, and psychosocial support.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
Pate said the proposed amendment to the National Mental Health Act will be transmitted to the National Assembly as an executive bill.
According to him, the reform recognises attempted suicide principally as a public health and mental health issue requiring professional intervention rather than punishment.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Justice worked together on the proposed amendment, which has now received FEC’s approval for onward transmission to the National Assembly.
More details later…
