Akpabio’s Suicide Remark: Why Nigeria’s Debate on Decriminalising Attempted Suicide Matters

Nigeria’s debate over suicide and the law has returned to the spotlight, raising important questions about mental health, human dignity and the country’s approach to people experiencing emotional distress. A remark by Senate President Godswill Akpabio has drawn attention to an issue that often remains hidden behind stigma and silence: should attempting suicide be treated as a criminal offence, or should it be approached primarily as a mental health emergency?

For many Nigerians, suicide remains a difficult subject to discuss openly. Cultural beliefs, religious convictions, economic pressures and fear of public judgment can make it challenging for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help. When the law also threatens punishment for attempted suicide, the consequences may extend beyond the courtroom. People who need urgent psychological support may become even more afraid to disclose their struggles.

The discussion surrounding Akpabio’s remark therefore deserves attention beyond political arguments. It offers an opportunity to examine Nigeria’s existing legal framework, consider the realities of mental health care and explore what decriminalisation could mean for vulnerable citizens.

Understanding the Controversy Surrounding Akpabio’s Remark

Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s Senate President, occupies a powerful position in the country’s political system. Consequently, remarks he makes about sensitive social issues can attract considerable public attention and influence national conversations.

The controversy surrounding his suicide-related remark has renewed discussions about whether Nigeria should continue criminalising attempted suicide. However, the substance of the debate matters more than political personalities. At its centre is a fundamental question: how should society respond when someone reaches a point of emotional suffering that leads them to attempt to end their life?

Some people approach suicide through religious or moral arguments, viewing it as an act that must be discouraged through strong social and legal consequences. Others argue that an individual who attempts suicide may be experiencing severe depression, overwhelming stress, trauma, financial hardship or another crisis that requires professional intervention.

These perspectives sometimes clash because Nigerians do not always distinguish between preventing suicide and punishing someone who has survived an attempt. Yet these are different objectives. Preventing suicide requires early intervention, accessible support and compassionate care. Punishment, by contrast, focuses on assigning legal consequences after an act has occurred.

Nigeria must consider whether criminal sanctions genuinely advance the goal of saving lives.

What Does Nigerian Law Say About Attempted Suicide?

Nigeria’s legal position on attempted suicide has long attracted criticism from mental health advocates. Under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, applicable in southern Nigeria, attempting suicide is an offence punishable by imprisonment for up to one year. Section 231 of the Penal Code, applicable in northern Nigeria, also criminalises attempted suicide, with penalties that can include imprisonment.

These provisions reflect an older approach to suicide, one that treats an attempt to end one’s life as a matter for criminal justice rather than primarily as a public health concern.

However, the existence of these laws does not mean every person who survives a suicide attempt is automatically arrested or prosecuted. Actual outcomes depend on the circumstances, the authorities involved and how the law is enforced.

Nevertheless, the possibility of criminal punishment creates a significant concern. Someone who survives a suicide attempt may already be dealing with physical injuries, emotional distress and uncertainty about the future. The threat of prosecution can add another burden at a moment when support is urgently needed.

Decriminalisation would remove criminal penalties for attempting suicide. It would not mean that society approves of suicide or abandons efforts to prevent it. Instead, it would shift the response away from punishment and towards treatment, crisis intervention and protection of life.

Such a change would also require careful consideration of how emergency services, hospitals, mental health professionals and social welfare agencies should respond to people at risk.

Why Criminalising Attempted Suicide Can Be Harmful

One major argument against criminalisation is that it may discourage people from seeking assistance. When individuals fear arrest, public humiliation or imprisonment, they may conceal suicidal thoughts from relatives, doctors and other potential sources of help.

This fear can be especially damaging in Nigeria, where mental health services remain difficult to access in many communities. People already facing stigma may hesitate to visit a hospital or speak openly about their emotional struggles. Adding the possibility of criminal consequences risks making an already difficult situation worse.

Criminalisation can also reinforce harmful stereotypes. People who attempt suicide are sometimes described as weak, selfish, ungrateful or morally deficient. Such labels ignore the complex circumstances that can contribute to suicidal behaviour, including psychological distress, social isolation, abuse, grief and overwhelming pressure.

Not every suicide attempt results from a diagnosed mental health condition, and no single explanation applies to everyone. However, an attempt should always be treated as a serious warning sign that requires an appropriate assessment.

Punishment does not resolve the underlying problems that may have contributed to the crisis. A person struggling with depression needs suitable care. Someone experiencing domestic abuse may need protection. An individual overwhelmed by debt may require practical support alongside psychological assistance.

A criminal record cannot provide these interventions. A more effective response begins by identifying what happened, assessing immediate risks and connecting the person with appropriate services.

Decriminalisation Does Not Mean Ignoring Suicide Prevention

One common concern is that removing criminal penalties could encourage suicidal behaviour or weaken society’s commitment to preserving life. This argument deserves a serious response, particularly in a country where religious and cultural beliefs strongly influence public attitudes.

However, decriminalisation should not be confused with indifference. Removing punishment does not remove the responsibility to prevent suicide. Instead, it changes the tools used to achieve that objective.

Hospitals could focus on emergency treatment, psychiatric assessment and referrals to appropriate care. Community health workers could receive better training to recognise warning signs. Schools and universities could establish confidential counselling services, while employers could introduce accessible mental health support for workers facing severe stress.

Families also need reliable information about how to respond when a loved one expresses suicidal thoughts. Rather than relying on threats, blame or public shame, relatives should learn to listen without judgment, take warning signs seriously and seek professional assistance when necessary.

Decriminalisation must therefore form part of a broader mental health strategy. Without investment in treatment facilities, trained professionals, crisis services and public education, changing the law alone will not solve Nigeria’s suicide prevention challenges.

The objective should be to build a system that protects life through early intervention and compassionate care rather than fear of punishment.