Predictors of Suicidal Behavior Among University Undergraduate Students in Western Nigeria

Suicide is a significant mental health concern, characterized by the intentional act of taking one's own life. The objective of this study was to examine predictors of suicidal behavior among university students in Western Nigeria. The study employed a phenomenological research design to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of university students concerning the phenomenon under investigation. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling to ensure the inclusion of individuals with firsthand experience of the issue being studied. A total of eight participants were selected from four universities in Western Nigeria, with two participants drawn from each institution. The sample size was guided by the principle of data saturation. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews, which were audio-recorded with participants' informed consent while maintaining strict confidentiality and anonymity. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis, and the findings were presented narratively according to the emerging themes. Findings on predictors of suicidal behavior among university students included academic pressure, institutional stressors, socio-economic challenges, social comparison, psychological vulnerability, and lack of support systems. The study recommends that the university administrations should take a leading role in establishing comprehensive mental health wellness systems within their institutions by introducing routine screening programs to identify students at risk of suicidal behavior at an early stage.

Mental Health, University Students, Suicide, Suicidal Behavior, Western Nigeria.

1. Afen, I.E. (2026). Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation among University Students in Karen, Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), XI (VII), pp.220https://www.researchgate.net/publication/412317130_Factors_Associated_With_Suicidal_Ideation_among_University_Students_in_Karen_Nairobi_County_Kenya [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Agrawal, R. P., & Talapalliwar, M. R. (2019). Prevalence of suicide ideation and its pattern among college students of the tribal region of Central India. Int J Med Sci Public Health, 8(12), 1057-1062. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Adewuya, A.O., & Oladipo, E.O. (2020). Prevalence and associated factors for suicidal behaviours (ideation, planning, and attempt) among high school adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 29(11), 1503-1512. Doi: 10.1007/s00787-019-01462-x. Epub 2019 Dec 19. PMID: 31858265 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Akpunne, B. C., Akinnawo, E. O., Akpunne, S. I., & Kumuyi, D. O. (2022). Suicidal behaviour among Nigerian undergraduates: Associations with gambling disorder and emotional dysregulation. Health Scope, 11(2), [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Alabi, A. A., Oladimeji, O. K., & Adeniyi, O. V. (2021). Prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation amongst college students in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa. South African Family Practice, 63(1) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Asenahabi, B. M. (2019). Design : A guide to selecting appropriate research design. Semantic scholar. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Babatunde, S. I. (2020). Suicidal ideation among undergraduates in Nigeria: The predictive role of personality traits and academic stress. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 9(2), 17–21. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Chidozie, E., Nwafor . P. C., Ugwu, C. A. F., Okoye, B.E., & Ofoma. (2023). Social Media Addiction Moderates the Relationship between Interpersonal Isolation and Suicidal Ideation among Undergraduates. Journal of Psychology and Allied Disciplines (JPAD). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Gunnell, D., Caul, S., Appleby, L., John, A., & Hawton, K. (2020). The incidence of suicide in university students in England and Wales 2000/2001–2016/2017: Record linkage study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 261, 113–120 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. He, X., Chen, S., Yu, Q., Yang, P., & Yang, B. (2024). Correlations between problematic internet use and suicidal behavior among Chinese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1484809 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hennink, M. M., Kaiser, B. N., & Marconi, V. C. (2017). Code saturation versus meaning saturation: How many interviews are enough? Qualitative Health Research, 27(4), 591–608 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Klonsky, E. D., & May, A. M. (2015). The Three-Step Theory (3ST): A new theory of suicide rooted in the ideation-to-action framework. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 10(3), 1-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Liu, X., Huang, Y., & Liu, Y. (2018). Prevalence, distribution, and associated factors of suicide attempts in young adolescents: School-based data from 40 low-income and middle-income countries. PLoS ONE, 13(12) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (2013). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. ACTS Pres [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Obinna, O. M. (2022). Predictors and suicide ideation among university students in Nairobi County-Kenya (MA Thesis, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Okechukwu, F. O., Ogba, K. T. U., Nwufo, J. I., Ogba, M. O., Onyekachi, B. N., Nwanosike, C. I., & Onyishi, A. B. (2022). Academic stress and suicidal ideation: Moderating roles of coping style and resilience. BMC Psychiatry, 22(1), 546. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04063-2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Pillay, J. (2021). Suicidal behaviour among university students: A systematic review. South African Journal of Psychology, 51(1), 54–66 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Santos, H. G. B., Marcon, S. R., Espinosa, M. M., Baptista, M. N. & Paulo, P. M. C. (2017). Factors associated with suicidal ideation among university students. Rev Latino-Am. Enfermagem, 25, e2878. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.1592.2878 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Salifu, L. D., & Yidana, A. (2024). Prevalence of suicide ideation and its associated risk factors among undergraduate students of the university for development studies, Tamale. BMC psychiatry, 24(1), 681. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Sara, S. S., Rahman, M. A., Rahman, R., & Talukder, A. (2024). Prediction of suicidal ideation with associated risk factors among university students in the southern part of Bangladesh: machine learning approach. Journal of affective disorders, 349, 502-508. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Seedat, S., Sengwayo, M., Gani, S., Mashego, L., Ochayon, J., Shepard, A., Vergie, C., Masango, M. G., Makuapane, L. P., Wagner, F., & Wagner, R. G. (2025). Prevalence and determinants of suicidal ideation among South African Health Sciences students at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1492620 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. World Health Organization. (2019). World health organization guidance on suicide. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6496912/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. World Health Organization. Preventing suicide: a global imperative (2014). Available online at https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241564779 (Accessed August 13, 2026). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study