Most of what you tell a therapist stays between the two of you. But “most” isn’t “all”, and it’s better to know the limits before you start. Here’s what Nigerian law says, and what it doesn’t.
A therapist in Nigeria can share what you’ve told them only in a few situations: with your written consent, when a court or a specific law requires it, or to prevent serious harm to you or someone else. There’s no general duty to report crimes, and everyday struggles stay private.
The starting point: it’s confidential
Under the National Health Act, everything about your health, your treatment and your stay in a health facility is confidential. The National Mental Health Act says the same about mental health care, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act treats health information as sensitive personal data.
So the question isn’t whether therapy is private. It is. The question is where the edges are. A good therapist explains them at your first session, and it’s fine to ask if they don’t.
When a therapist can share information
The National Health Act lists the situations in which health information can be disclosed:
- You agree in writing, for example when you ask your therapist to write to your doctor.
- A court orders it, or a law requires it. There’s no therapist-client privilege in Nigerian courts, so a judge can order records to be produced.
- You’re under 18 and a parent or guardian asks.
- You can’t consent, and a guardian or representative asks, for example if you’re too unwell to make decisions.
- Keeping it secret would be a serious threat to public health. This is rare in talk therapy.
Two more rules sit alongside these. Your therapist can share what’s needed with other professionals involved in your care, such as a psychiatrist they refer you to, when it’s in your interest. And the Mental Health Act says nothing stops a professional from taking reasonable steps to prevent serious harm to you or to someone else.
What “serious harm” means in practice
This is the limit people worry about most. It covers situations like:
- you’re in immediate danger of ending your life
- you’re at real risk of seriously hurting someone
- a child, or an adult who can’t protect themselves, is being abused or is at serious risk
Having thoughts of suicide, or telling your therapist about them, doesn’t on its own mean they’ll tell anyone. Talking about those thoughts openly is part of therapy, and your therapist may help you make a safety plan.
When a therapist does need to act, the aim is to keep people safe. Good practice is to share only what’s needed, and to talk to you first where it’s safe to.
Will my therapist report me to the police?
For almost everything people bring to therapy, no. Nigeria has no general law that makes therapists, or anyone else, report a crime just because they’ve heard about it. The exceptions are specific:
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- A serious crime that’s planned or happening now. The Criminal Code makes it an offence for anyone who knows someone is planning or committing a felony not to use reasonable means to prevent it. Lagos law says the same. For a therapist, that can mean acting to stop the harm.
- Terrorism. Anyone with information that could help prevent terrorism, or help catch or convict someone for a terrorism offence, must tell the authorities. The only exemption is for lawyers.
- Children and sexual offences in Lagos. Lagos law makes it an offence for anyone to knowingly conceal a sexual offence. The state also treats medical and mental health practitioners as “mandated reporters” of suspected child abuse.
- Abuse of someone with a mental health condition. The Mental Health Act says anyone who witnesses it must report it to the police.
- Some northern states may still have older laws that require people to report certain serious crimes, such as killings and robbery.
If a child is being abused or is at serious risk, a therapist anywhere in Nigeria can act to protect them.
What about a suicide attempt?
Attempted suicide is still an offence under Nigerian law. In August 2026 the Federal Executive Council approved a change to decriminalise it, but it still needs the National Assembly. We know of no law that requires a therapist to report a suicide attempt to the police. If you’ve tried to end your life, or you’re thinking about it, a therapist’s job is to help you stay safe.
If you’re in immediate danger, call 112, or 767 in Lagos. To talk to someone at any hour, Safe Place Nigeria is on 0800 800 2000. It’s toll-free and answered 24 hours a day.
On Mytherapist.ng
The limits on Mytherapist.ng are the ones above: a risk to your life, a risk to someone else (especially a child or someone who can’t protect themselves), and a court order. Your employer or HMO can’t see what you discuss, even if they pay for your sessions.
Read more about whether online therapy is confidential, what therapists write in their notes and whether your employer will know you used therapy.
Questions to ask at your first session
- What would make you share something I’ve told you?
- If you had to, would you tell me first?
- Who else can see my notes?
- If my employer or HMO pays, what do they see?
Our guide to your first therapy session covers what else to expect. When you’re ready, you can find a therapist and meet by video, voice or chat.
Frequently asked questions
Can a therapist report you to the police?
Only in narrow cases: information about terrorism, a serious crime that’s planned or happening, abuse of someone with a mental health condition that they witness, and in Lagos, sexual offences and suspected child abuse. There’s no general duty to report what you tell a therapist.
Do therapists have to report past crimes?
In general, no. The exceptions include terrorism offences, concealing a sexual offence in Lagos, and, in some northern states, older laws on serious crimes. A court can also order your records.
Will my therapist tell anyone if I’m suicidal?
Talking about suicidal thoughts doesn’t on its own mean they’ll tell anyone. If you’re in immediate danger, they may act to keep you safe, and they should share only what’s needed.
Can my therapy notes be used in court?
Yes, if a court orders it, because Nigeria has no therapist-client privilege. Otherwise, sharing your notes needs your consent or another legal basis.
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Is there a “duty to warn” in Nigeria?
Not as such. The American duty to warn doesn’t apply here. Nigerian law allows therapists to take reasonable steps to prevent serious harm, and the Criminal Code expects anyone to try to prevent a serious crime they know is planned.
This article is awaiting clinical review. It’s based on published research and health guidelines, and we’ll update it once a clinician has reviewed it.
