The Senate has ignited hope by bringing Nigeria’s suicide crisis sharply into focus—around 16,000 Nigerians take their lives each year.
This disturbing number comes from the World Health Organisation, and experts say it’s likely an understatement as many cases slip under the radar.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, (APC, Cross River South), is pushing the Suicide Prevention Bill to decriminalise attempted suicide and pave the way for genuine mental health support.
“Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions affect millions of Nigerians, yet they are poorly understood and rarely prioritised. Suicide prevention is an issue that requires government attention, sustained education, and sensitisation,” he said, voice firm and unwavering.
When the second reading comes up in the Senate, Ekpenyong vows to make every word in the chamber count.
Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh of LUTH’s Suicide Research & Prevention Initiative nailed it: “When you criminalise attempted suicide, you stigmatise people who are already vulnerable. According to World Health Organization, Nigeria records about 16,000 suicide deaths annually, and that is a conservative figure because many cases go unreported.”
Most victims are young, aged between 15 and 29.
That chilling reality hits harder when you hear “For every recorded suicide, there are at least 20 more attempts. In Nigeria, every delay in passing this bill means more lives lost,” from Aisha Abdullahi Bubah of The Sunshine Series.
A coalition of psychiatrists, lawyers, mental health advocates, and civil society groups now rallies behind the bill. Their message is clear: we need funding, helplines, trained professionals, and reliable data—not punishment.
Nigeria’s Mental Health Crisis Meets Hope
Nigeria has one of the highest suicide rates in Africa. In 2019, the rate stood at about 6.9 per 100,000 people—a rise from 6.5 in 2012—though many deaths go unregistered.
A stark comparison: global suicide rates average around 11.4 per 100,000; Nigeria falls below that but still looms large as a national emergency.
Meanwhile, Nigeria battles a mental health manpower crisis. With just around 350 psychiatrists for over 200 million people, access to basic mental health care is nearly impossible.
Despite the crisis, there is hope. The proposed bill would not just decriminalise suicide attempts—it would tackle stigma, build support systems, launch sensitisation campaigns, and honour Nigeria’s young lives with dignity.
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