The Federal Government has begun the process of removing criminal penalties for attempted suicide after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the issue.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, who disclosed this in Abuja at the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day commemoration, said the matter would now be forwarded to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process.

Salako, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, described the proposed reform as both a legal and public health measure, arguing that people experiencing mental health crises need support rather than punishment.

“A person experiencing a mental health crisis should be met with care, support and appropriate intervention, rather than punishment.

“Removing the fear of criminal sanctions can help reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking and create greater opportunities for timely intervention,” Salako said.

The minister, however, stressed that decriminalisation alone would not be enough to prevent suicide, noting that the government would continue to strengthen mental health services and expand community-based support.

He said the government would also focus on early identification and intervention while encouraging more open conversations about mental health.

Salako cited the National Mental Health Act 2021, National Mental Health Policy 2023 and National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework 2023–2030 as key policy instruments guiding Nigeria’s response to suicide and mental health challenges.

He also said the National Task Force on the Decriminalisation of Attempted Suicide had consulted policymakers and other stakeholders as part of efforts to advance the reform.

Speaking on Nigeria’s mental health data, the National Coordinator, Mental Health Programme, Dr Tunde Ojo, acknowledged gaps in available statistics on suicide and attempted suicide.

Ojo said the ministry was using surveys and other data-gathering methods to produce more accurate and verifiable national statistics within the next year.

The National Coordinator, National Action for Suicide Prevention, Dr Ade Bash, also reaffirmed the ministry’s plans to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare and strengthen community-based interventions.

Stakeholders at the event welcomed the Federal Government’s decision and pledged continued support for the legislative process, as well as efforts to strengthen suicide prevention and mental healthcare in Nigeria.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to join other world leaders in New Delhi, India, for the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, which is billed for this weekend.

The spokesman to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement, said Nigeria is to use the summit to consolidate bilateral relations with key international partners, expand economic cooperation and advance its strategic interests.

“The engagement will provide Nigeria with another platform to strengthen partnerships in trade and investment, energy, agriculture, solid minerals, technology, and innovation, while promoting greater cooperation among countries of the Global South.” the statement said.

Shettima will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is currently on vacation in Europe.

India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship is anchored on the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” with deliberations expected to cover political and security cooperation, economic and financial partnerships, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

While in New Delhi, Shettima will join leaders of BRICS member and partner nations, alongside other invited dignitaries, at plenary and high-level sessions examining global economic growth, multilateral cooperation, and shared development priorities.

Shettima will also hold bilateral engagements with leaders and senior officials of participating countries, with discussions expected to focus on opportunities for deeper economic and diplomatic cooperation with Nigeria.

Nigeria, a BRICS partner country since January 2025, is opening another channel for the country to deepen South-South cooperation and engage some of the world’s emerging economies on trade, investment, development finance and reform of global governance institutions.

According to the statement, “The country’s participation is consistent with President Tinubu’s drive to strengthen the country’s international economic partnerships, attract investment and expand markets for Nigerian products, particularly in agriculture, energy, minerals and other non-oil sectors.”

The summit comes as BRICS marks 20 years since its establishment and as the grouping seeks greater practical cooperation among its expanding network of member and partner countries.

Shettima will return to Nigeria after participating at the event.

Abdulaziz Yari, director-general (DG) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, says none of those contesting against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election matches him in terms of quality and competence.

The senator representing Zamfara west spoke on Wednesday while addressing members of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Gusua, Zamfara state capital, where he canvassed support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Yari was named the APC campaign council DG on August 22, vowing to ensure victory for the president in the 2027 election.

He described the campaign as more than an election, saying it would involve engaging Nigerians on the future of the country.

Addressing the NURTW members, the senator said the other presidential candidates could not match Tinubu.

“That is how politics is. When you put all the aspirants contesting against Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a scale, I don’t think the scale would even accept them,” said Yari, who spoke in Hausa.

“We all know that none of the aspirants contesting against him are on his level when it comes to merit and quality; we don’t think any of them have even 10 percent of what Bola Tinubu possesses.”

The senator acknowledged that the presidential candidates had the right to contest but said the APC would work to secure victory in 2027.

“But it is right to contest and campaign. By God’s grace, we will work hard, and we will pray for God to give us victory, and we truly feel that God will grant it to us,” he said.

Yari also urged party supporters to pray for Tinubu and Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, to win their respective elections.

“May God permit them to complete the good work they have started for the people,” Yari said.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubabakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (ADC) are the major contenders against Tinubu in the 2027 election.