Prevalence of suicidal behavior in Nigeria: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Suicidal behaviors are a growing global concern, particularly among young people, yet their burden remains poorly defined in Nigeria, a country with a predominantly young population. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data from 30 studies involving 45,190 participants published up to August 2024 to estimate the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts in Nigeria. Studies reporting the prevalence of suicidal behaviors in the Nigerian general population or specific subgroups, using healthcare diagnosis or validated screening tools, were included. The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation in the general population was 9.7%, while suicidal planning and attempts were estimated at 1.8% and 1.1%, respectively. Suicidal behaviors were more prevalent among adolescents, refugees, out-of-school youth, sexual minorities, and in northern regions. Prevalence estimates increased over time. These findings confirm that suicidal behaviors are common in Nigeria and underscore the need for targeted intervention strategies tailored to high-risk populations.