The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that more than 720, 000 people die from suicide every year. The global health agency also said that suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds, and 73 per cent of global suicides occur in low-and middle-income countries. Unfortunately, Nigeria is among top countries affected by the menace. In fact, it ranks sixth globally among countries with the highest suicide rates. According to medical experts, while men account for almost 79 per cent of suicide cases, women are more likely to struggle with suicidal thoughts.
In 2022, the UN health agency observed that in much of the world, suicide is stigmatised and condemned for religious or cultural reasons. In some countries, suicidal behaviour is a criminal offence punishable by law. Suicide is, therefore, often a secretive act surrounded by taboo and may be unrecognized, misclassified, or deliberately hidden in official records of death. Arising from this, it says that suicide rates may be higher than measured, with men more at risk of dying by suicide than women across nearly all cultures and backgrounds.
Suicide is a global problem, which affects all the regions. In South-East Asia Region, nearly 208,000 people are lost to suicide every year. In Africa, the suicide rate is 11 per 100,000 people, compared to the global average of nine. It has been established that African men are particularly at risk with 18 suicides per 100,000. The figure is significantly higher than the global male average of 12.2. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 49,300 people. It is also the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44. In the same vein, the male suicide rate in England and Wales increased from 16.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022, to17.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2023. The female suicide rate in England and Wales also increased from 5.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022, to 5.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
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Nigeria’s suicide rate is also very high. During the commemoration of the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, stated that Nigeria is confronted with suicide crisis, with an estimated 15,000 deaths annually. Nigeria also records an estimated 17.3 suicides per 100,000 annually and faces a severe shortage of trained mental health professionals. The 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day was marked with the theme: “Changing the narrative on suicide, creating hope through action.” According to WHO, suicide is a major public health challenge, claiming the lives of more than 720,000 people every year. It further says that ‘each life lost has profound social, emotional, and economic consequences, deeply affecting families, friends, work places, and entire communities around the world.’ The WSPD is marked on September 10 every year. It focuses global attention on suicide prevention, uniting communities, organisations and governments with shared belief that suicides are preventable.
The theme of this year’s WSPD calls on all of us to challenge harmful myths, reduce stigma, and foster open, compassionate conversations about suicide. ‘It is about shifting from silence and misunderstanding to openness, empathy and support—creating environments where people feel able to speak up and seek help,’ the world body further stated. Available statistics on suicide show that almost 20 per cent of all suicides were due to pesticide self-poisoning. The reasons for suicides are multi-faceted, influenced by social, cultural, biological, psychological, and environmental factors present across the life-course.
Also, a new report by the Nigeria Police Force has shown that not less than 1,666 residents in Lagos died from suicide and homicide, among others, between January 2020 and December 2024. This was made public by the Force Pathologist, ACP Samuel Keshinro, while presenting the report on cases of femicide recently in Lagos State. Speaking on the theme: “Measuring Femicide in Lagos State: Data, advocacy and action,” Keshinro said the report aimed to create public awareness and advocacy about femicide. Out of the 1,666 deaths, 350 were women, 1, 306 were men. However, the gender of 10 others could not be ascertained.
Unfortunately, suicide attempt is criminalised in some countries, including Nigeria, where survivors may face imprisonment under Section 237 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code. However, the federal government has set December 2025 deadline to decriminalise attempted suicides. It must not renege on the deadline.
According to experts, the factors that cause suicide include previous suicide attempt, history of depression and other mental illnesses, chronic pain, criminal or legal problems, job and financial problems or loss, substance abuse, impulsive and aggressive tendencies. In Nigeria, the rising poverty can increase suicidal thoughts in some people as well as drug and alcohol abuse among the youths. Beyond decriminalising attempted suicides, and opening conversations around suicide, the government should address rising poverty and economic hardship affecting millions of Nigerians.
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