Onilede Titi Faith
The Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group has urged the Federal Government to prioritise suicide prevention, warning that Nigeria records an estimated 16,000 suicide deaths annually, according to figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The group made the call on Sunday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC – Cross River South), who reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the Suicide Prevention Bill currently before the Senate.
Ekpenyong, the sponsor of the bill, explained that the proposed legislation seeks to decriminalise attempted suicide while establishing a national framework for prevention, service delivery, helplines, and capacity building for mental health professionals. The bill scaled its first reading in February.
“Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions affect millions of Nigerians, yet they are poorly understood and rarely prioritised,” Ekpenyong said. “Suicide prevention requires government attention, sustained education, and sensitisation.”
The senator assured the coalition that he would push for the bill’s second reading and work with his colleagues to ensure data-driven deliberations.
Convener of the coalition and Continental Representative of LifeLine International, Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, stressed that criminalising attempted suicide only worsens stigma and discourages help-seeking. “Most victims are young people between ages 15 and 29. When you criminalise attempted suicide, you stigmatise people who are already vulnerable,” he said.
