Assisted Dying Debates in Transition: Implications for Nigeria in a Shifting Global Context

Debates on assisted dying remain persistent and complex globally. Recent developments, including 
support for assisted dying legislation in jurisdictions traditionally opposed—such as United 
Kingdom—indicate a significant shift in legal and ethical discourse. These evolving trends have 
implications for countries like Nigeria, which cannot remain insulated from global developments. 
The paper aims to revisit the concept of assisted dying and critically examine the competing 
arguments that shape global debates, with a view to informing Nigeria’s potential future position 
on the issue. The study adopts a doctrinal and analytical review approach. It presents and 
compares the arguments of both proponents and opponents of assisted dying, examining them side 
by side to assess their relative strengths and implications. The analysis demonstrates that neither 
proponents nor opponents possess a monopoly over persuasive arguments. Both perspectives 
present valid and competing ethical and legal considerations, with no single position carrying 
definitive superiority. Although Nigeria currently maintains a position against assisted dying, the 
absence of decisive superiority in the competing arguments suggests that this stance cannot be 
sustained with absolute certainty. There is a need for Nigeria to reconsider its position and engage 
more critically with the perspectives advanced by advocates of assisted dying