A silent epidemic is gripping Nigeria, with an alarming 16,000 lives lost to suicide each year, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Prof. Taiwo Lateef Sheikh’s research, as the convener of the coalition and Continental Representative of LifeLine International, reveals a heartbreaking truth: the majority of suicide victims in Nigeria are young people aged 15 to 29. These are individuals already struggling with unemployment, social pressure, and limited access to mental health care.
For every recorded suicide, there are at least 20 more attempts, and investigation reveals that depression, anxiety, and the like affect millions of Nigerians. Yet, they are poorly understood and rarely prioritised.
Data by the World Health Organisation says over 700,000 people die by suicide globally each year, meaning that Nigeria accounts for about 2.3% of the world’s suicide deaths, despite having roughly 2.6% of the global population.
Nigeria reportedly ranks 6th globally in suicide rates, according to a Nigerian psychiatrist cited in a fact-check report. This places it among the countries with the highest suicide burdens worldwide.
Even though many African countries have high suicide rates, Nigeria’s absolute number of deaths is especially alarming due to its large population. This crisis not only affects families and communities but also has significant economic implications, with potential losses in productivity and healthcare costs.
Lesotho presents one of the highest suicide rates per capita (20.6 per 100,000), but far fewer total deaths due to its small population.
South Africa has a suicide rate of 15.3 per 100,000, similar to Nigeria’s estimated rate, but again, Nigeria’s larger population signifies a higher total death count.
However, behind the numbers lies a more profound crisis comprising a legal framework that criminalises attempted suicide, discouraging help-seeking and pushing vulnerable individuals further into isolation.
Under current Nigerian law, attempting suicide is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.
Mental health experts argue that this approach not only fails to deter suicide but also actively worsens the crisis.
According to Professor Sheikh, “When you criminalise attempted suicide, you stigmatise people who are already vulnerable.”
In response to these alarming trends, lawmakers are taking action. Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC – Cross River South) met with members of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group—a coalition of psychiatrists, legal experts, civil society organisations, and mental health advocates — on Sunday in Abuja. Their expertise and dedication are crucial in the fight against the suicide crisis, and their efforts should be recognized and supported.
The Senator is championing the Suicide Prevention Bill, which passed its first reading in February. The proposed legislation seeks to decriminalise attempted suicide, establish a national framework for prevention, including helplines, mental health services, and training for professionals, and allocate specific funds for suicide prevention programmes.
Immediate Action Needed
Civil society leaders are sounding the alarm. Ms. Aisha Abdullahi Bubah, Executive Director of The Sunshine Series, warned that legislative delays are costing lives, as Ekpenyong noted that suicide prevention requires government attention, sustained education, and sensitisation.
The coalition is planning a series of events to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, including media campaigns and policy dialogues aimed at shifting public perception and pressuring lawmakers.
Ekpenyong has also been invited to speak at the Vanguard Mental Health Summit in October, themed “Stemming the Rising Tide of Suicide in Nigeria.” There, he is expected to rally support for the bill’s second reading and push for a national conversation rooted in data, compassion, and reform.
The Plan for the Future
Nigeria’s suicide crisis is not just a health issue—it’s a human rights issue. As the country prepares for the 2026 global review on antimicrobial resistance and public health systems, advocates say mental health must be part of the conversation.
Until then, the question remains: how many more lives will be lost before Nigeria chooses compassion over punishment?
