In an opinion piece, Olayinka Atilola argues that Nigeria must reconsider its approach to suicide as a public-health problem rather than a criminal matter. The article cites recent remarks by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during debate on the proposed Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, in which he suggested that a person who attempts suicide should either succeed or face imprisonment. The writer contends that such remarks reflect a misreading of the Bill and a misunderstanding of mental health. The piece states that people who contemplate or attempt suicide are likely experiencing profound psychological distress, which may arise from depression or another mental health condition.
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