The Asido Foundation has welcomed the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval to amend the National Mental Health Act to decriminalise attempted suicide, calling it a landmark shift from punishment to care.
The foundation said the move validated years of advocacy for a more humane and evidence-based response to people experiencing suicidal distress and mental health crises.
The development came as Asido marked its seventh anniversary, as well as years of advocacy, including a pivotal 2024 delegation led by board chairman, Meka Niyi Olowola, and Founder/CEO, Prof. Jibril Abdulmalik, to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Commenting, the foundation’s board chairman, Olowola, said FEC’s approval was more than a policy announcement.
“It is the culmination of years of advocacy around a simple but fundamental principle: a person who survives a suicide attempt needs care, treatment and dignity, not prosecution. When we led our delegation to the Attorney-General of the Federation in 2024, we went with a clear conviction that Nigeria could and should do better. We are therefore encouraged to see that conversation translated into decisive government action,” Olowola said.
