The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide and establish a national framework for suicide prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, despite opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who argued that survivors should continue to face imprisonment.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South, passed second reading during plenary on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It seeks to replace criminal punishment for people who survive suicide attempts with medical assessment, treatment and continued support.
During the debate, Ekpenyong argued that Nigeria’s existing legal framework contains conflicting approaches to people who survive suicide attempts.
He noted that while the National Mental Health Act recognises the need for appropriate mental health care, Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code still criminalise attempted suicide.
The senator said the continued criminalisation of suicide attempts could discourage people experiencing severe psychological distress from seeking help. He also argued that the threat of prosecution could cause families to conceal incidents, making it more difficult to collect reliable data and develop effective prevention strategies.
Ekpenyong maintained that removing criminal penalties would not be sufficient without accessible mental health services and rehabilitation programmes for survivors.
“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 during the debate.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a national system for suicide prevention, including mandatory assessment, referrals for treatment and follow-up support for people who survive suicide attempts.
It also provides for crisis helplines, public awareness campaigns, training for police officers, teachers and healthcare workers, as well as a national data system to support suicide prevention efforts.
However, Akpabio opposed the proposed removal of criminal penalties, arguing that decriminalisation could encourage more people to attempt suicide.
“If you attempt suicide, make sure you die. Anyone who attempts and fails will go to jail,” the Senate President said.
He also raised concerns about the legal implications of the proposed changes, noting that the relevant provisions involve both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code. He called for State Houses of Assembly to contribute to discussions during a public hearing to address potential conflicts in the legal framework.
Despite the Senate President’s objections, the bill secured the support needed to pass second reading and has been referred to the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Health for further consideration and a public hearing.
The committees are expected to examine the proposed reforms and consider submissions from relevant stakeholders before reporting back to the Senate.
The bill has not yet become law. Passing second reading allows it to proceed to further legislative scrutiny, where its provisions may be examined, amended and debated before any final decision on enactment.
The debate comes amid wider efforts to reform Nigeria’s approach to mental health emergencies. In August 2026, the Federal Executive Council approved a proposed amendment to the National Mental Health Act intended to support the decriminalisation of attempted suicide. The Senate’s consideration of the bill represents a further stage in the legislative process.
The central issue before lawmakers is whether people who survive suicide attempts should face criminal prosecution or receive a health-focused response involving treatment, rehabilitation and support.
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