Health
LAAF Writes Attorney General to Decriminalize Suicide in Nigeria
▪︎UGC : Attorney General of the Federation, Honourable Lateef Fagbemi; Halima Layeni
Halima Layeni Men’s Mental Advocate Executive Director, Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), has urged the Federal Government to decriminalize suicide attempts in Nigeria.
” Countries like India, Canada, and New Zealand have decriminalized suicide attempts, recognizing the need for supportive health interventions rather than criminal penalties,” said Halima Layeni.
In an Open Letter to the Attorney General of the Federation, Honourable Lateef Fagbemi, Halima Layeni pointed out : ” Under Section 327 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, any individual who attempts suicide can be imprisoned for up to one year.
This law, which criminalizes suicide attempts, is not only outdated but also ineffective in addressing the root causes of the mental health crisis we face.”
She further noted that instead of offering treatment and support, the criminalization of suicide perpetuates suffering, pushing those in need further into silence and shame.
” The suicide crisis disproportionately affects men, who make up the majority of suicide cases worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception.
Men are often pressured to suppress their emotions, adhere to societal norms of masculinity, and face stigmatization when they seek help for mental health issues. Consequently, many men in Nigeria feel trapped in isolation, leading to higher rates of depression and suicide. Rather than being met with compassion and support, these men risk being labeled as criminals under the current law.
Criminalizing suicide attempts is, at its core, a violation of human rights. Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights both emphasize the right to dignity, health, and mental well-being.
Punishing someone for attempting suicide disregards their fundamental human right to access the care they need.
The act of criminalization perpetuates the idea that those suffering from mental health crises are less deserving of protection, violating principles of equality and human dignity.
Suicide is not a crime; it is a symptom of profound mental health distress. To view it through a legal lens rather than a medical one is to misunderstand the gravity of the issue.
Those who attempt suicide do not need punishment—they need mental health care, compassion, and a system that prioritizes their well-being.
Mental health is a critical element of overall health, and just as we treat physical illnesses, so too must we treat mental health crises with proper support, not prosecution.”
Health
National Data Repository Index Numbers of patients currently on treatment for HIV in Nigeria as at May 13, 2026
Benue: 195,305
- Akwa Ibom: 158,201
- Lagos: 135,918
- Rivers: 90,055
- Nasarawa: 65,996
- FCT: 62,627
- Kaduna: 58,576
- Cross River: 57,765
- Enugu: 55,478
- Delta: 52,475
- Taraba: 51,840
- Abia: 50,038
- Imo: 47,863
- Plateau: 46,618
- Anambra: 46,602
- Adamawa: 42,074
- Kano: 41,093
- Kogi: 37,301
- Oyo: 33,133
- Niger: 33,057
- Ogun: 31,822
- Bauchi: 29,745
- Edo: 29,256
- Gombe: 28,037
- Osun: 25,018
- Borno: 24,527
- Ondo: 22,455
- Kebbi: 20,803
- Bayelsa: 19,549
- Katsina: 18,682
- Ebonyi: 15,474
- Kwara: 14,997
- Jigawa: 14,302
- Zamfara: 13,813
- Ekiti: 12,356
- Yobe: 10,716
- Sokoto: 10,511 Total: 1.70m
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an Agro-Industrial Business Hub and Mega Livestock Processing Facility in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a high-level strategic meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, ABIS Group and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) in Abuja.
The Minister stated that the Ministry would work closely with ABIS Group, LPRES and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth take-off and successful implementation of the project. He explained that the engagement followed Nigeria’s participation in an international training programme on pastoral market access and inclusive contracting models held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to the Minister, the training, organised under the auspices of the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources and the African Pastoral Market Development Platform, provided valuable insights into strengthening livestock value chains, improving market systems and promoting quality assurance mechanisms across Africa.
Leader of the ABIS delegation, Ambassador Emmanuel Usman, commended the Ministry for facilitating the group’s participation in the training programme, which brought together delegates from Somalia, Botswana, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Also speaking, LPRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, appreciated the Minister for supporting collaboration and inclusiveness in the livestock sector.
The General Manager of ABIS Group, Mr. Kujo Reigans, highlighted key lessons from the training, including the need for a unified quality assurance system, structured outgrower schemes and improved access to funding opportunities through the Development Bank of Nigeria.
He stated that these measures would enhance efficiency, traceability and competitiveness within Nigeria’s livestock industry.
The ABIS team also raised concerns over visa bottlenecks affecting expatriates working on the Abuja Mega Livestock Processing Facility project, calling for streamlined visa processes to ease project implementation and support the timely delivery of the agro-industrial hub in the FCT.
Health
Pharmacists body urges FG to establish presidential committee for sector
The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 percent of national demand, far below the 70 percent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) urges the Federal Government to establish a presidential committee dedicated to the pharmaceutical sector, implementing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, and strengthening existing laws against fake drugs.
ACPN made the call while reacting to the government’s recent ban on imported drugs, describing the move as a strategic step toward strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and conserving foreign exchange.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the association said the updated prohibition schedule covering drugs under HS Codes 3003.10.00.00 through 3004.90.00 signals renewed commitment to protecting domestic industry players.
The ACPN specifically highlighted the ban on the importation of commonly used medicines such as paracetamol tablets and syrups, metronidazole, clotrimazole, chloroquine, multivitamins, aspirin and folic acid, as well as topical preparations like penicillin and gentamycin ointments.
It described the development as a “step in the right direction” that would boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 percent of national demand, far below the 70 percent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021.
It attributed this gap partly to continued dependence on imports, especially from China and India, which it said accounts for about 65 per cent of drug supply in the country.
It also urged reforms in pharmaceutical education and training to expand the pool of skilled professionals across industry, clinical, hospital and community practice.
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