Senate President Godswill Akpabio has publicly insisted that attempted suicide should remain a criminal offence in Nigeria, despite a bill seeking to decriminalise the act successfully scaling its second reading in the Senate. Akpabio argued that removing current penalties could inadvertently encourage the act, a stance that places him at odds with mental health advocates and human rights organisations.
The Senate President’s position was articulated as the proposed legislation, which seeks to amend Nigeria’s Criminal Code and Penal Code, moved to the committee stage for further review. His remarks signal a potentially challenging path for the bill, given his influential role in the upper legislative chamber.
Under existing Nigerian law, specifically Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act (applicable in Southern Nigeria) and Section 231 of the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria), attempted suicide is punishable by imprisonment. These provisions classify the act as a criminal offence, carrying potential jail terms, fines, or both.
Debate Over Punishment and Public Health
The bill, championed by a coalition of mental health professionals and civil society groups, seeks to reframe attempted suicide as a public health issue rather than a criminal one. Proponents argue that criminalisation adds to the stigma surrounding mental health crises, deters individuals from seeking necessary help, and further traumatises survivors and their families.
Medical and psychological experts have consistently highlighted that individuals who attempt suicide are often experiencing severe mental distress, depression, or other underlying conditions that require compassionate care and psychological intervention, not punitive measures. They argue that the threat of imprisonment can push those struggling further into isolation and prevent them from reaching out for support from health services or their communities.
Globally, there has been a significant shift towards decriminalising attempted suicide. Many countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and several others in Africa and beyond, have reformed their laws to focus on treatment and prevention. This international trend underscores a growing understanding that criminalising self-harm is counterproductive to public health efforts.
Akpabio, however, conveyed a more traditional perspective, suggesting that the fear of legal repercussions acts as a deterrent. His comments, made during the Senate’s proceedings on October 13, 2026, reflect a segment of society that views legal sanctions as essential for maintaining social order and discouraging what they perceive as harmful acts.
The bill’s successful second reading means it has been approved in principle by the Senate and will now undergo detailed scrutiny by a relevant committee. This committee will review its provisions, gather public input, and potentially propose amendments before it returns to the full Senate for a third reading and final vote. If passed by the Senate, it would then proceed to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being sent to the President for assent.
The Senate President’s firm position injects a significant point of contention into the legislative process, potentially influencing how the committee reviews the bill and the eventual outcome of the voting. The debate is set to intensify as mental health advocates push for reforms aligned with modern public health approaches, while some policymakers continue to favour the punitive model.
The future of the attempted suicide decriminalisation bill now hinges on the deliberations within the Senate committee and the ability of its proponents to sway opinion amidst influential dissenting voices like that of the Senate President.
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