September 1, 2025 — Nigeria records an estimated 16,000 suicide cases annually, a disturbing figure that has raised fresh concerns over the nation’s mental health crisis.
In response, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC–Cross River South) has reiterated his commitment to advancing the Suicide Prevention Bill, a legislation aimed at decriminalising attempted suicide while strengthening national support systems for those struggling with mental health challenges.
The proposed bill, currently before the National Assembly, seeks to shift the legal framework from punishment to rehabilitation by treating attempted suicide as a public health issue rather than a crime. It also provides for the creation of a national suicide prevention and crisis response strategy, enhanced mental health care services, and the establishment of helplines for people in distress.
Senator Ekpenyong stressed that criminalising survivors of suicide attempts only worsens stigma and discourages people from seeking help. He argued that a humane and supportive approach is urgently needed to save lives and reduce the rising incidence of suicide across the country.
Mental health advocates and medical experts have long called for reforms, pointing out that depression, economic hardship, substance abuse, and social isolation are among the leading drivers of suicide in Nigeria.
If passed into law, the bill would represent a landmark shift in Nigeria’s approach to mental health, aligning with global best practices in suicide prevention.