Senate President Godswill Akpabio has opposed moves to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, insisting that survivors should face imprisonment rather than receive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Akpabio spoke on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, as the Senate passed a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide for second reading.
During the debate, he declared: “As far as we are concerned, we are saying that suicide is a crime for now. Therefore, if you attempt it, you better succeed. If you don’t succeed, we will send you to prison.”
He later reinforced his position, stating, “If you attempt it and don’t succeed, we will jail you.”
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South, seeks to replace criminal punishment with medical assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and support for survivors.
Ekpenyong argued that people who survive suicide attempts should be treated as individuals experiencing a mental health crisis rather than prosecuted as criminals.
The proposed legislation also seeks to establish crisis helplines and train police officers, teachers and healthcare workers to identify and respond to suicide risks.
It further proposes public awareness campaigns and a national data system to strengthen suicide prevention and improve responses to mental health emergencies.
Defending the bill, Ekpenyong said Nigeria’s existing laws send conflicting messages because the National Mental Health Act recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring intervention, while provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code criminalise the act.
“Our law presently speaks with two voices,” the senator said.
He warned that criminalising attempted suicide could discourage vulnerable people from seeking professional assistance and force families to conceal incidents because of fear, stigma and possible prosecution.
Ekpenyong urged lawmakers to prioritise protection, treatment and rehabilitation over punishment.
“At the heart of this bill is a simple question: when a Nigerian survives a suicide attempt, should the first response of the state be prosecution or protection?” he asked.
Akpabio, however, maintained that the proposed reform required careful consideration, noting that attempted suicide is covered by both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code.
He also argued that state legislatures would need to be involved to ensure consistency in the country’s legal framework.
The bill’s passage for second reading means the Senate has agreed to continue considering the proposal. It does not mean the legislation has become law or that existing criminal provisions have been repealed.
The Senate has referred the bill to its Committees on Judiciary and Health for further consideration, including a public hearing.
