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ABSTRACT
Euthanasia is a contentious issue in law and in medical ethics, and also remains a topic of serious debate, sparking various discussions worldwide. This paper undertakes a critical analysis of the potential implications of legalizing or decriminalizing euthanasia within the Nigerian context. It therefore explores comparatively, the legal frameworks for euthanasia in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States, and provides insight into some of the arguments made for the legalization of euthanasia in Nigeria as well as those made against it. This is done with a view to exposing the dangers of such legalization as well as the weaknesses in the arguments made in favour of it. In doing this, this research adopts the doctrinal approach, utilizing both primary and secondary sources of information. This research finds that euthanasia, though not expressly mentioned has been largely criminalized under Nigeria’s penal laws with the exception of passive euthanasia. It also identifies that Nigeria differs in socio-economic, religious, ethical and cultural milieu from countries which have legalized euthanasia and as such the adaptation of these laws especially when done verbatim at literatim could pose major problems which in turn would affect individuals and the society at large negatively. This research therefore recommends that other methods of pain management should be explored, as opposed to euthanasia and concludes that the practice and legalization of euthanasia in Nigeria is dangerous as it is incompatible with the socio-economic, religious and cultural milieu of the country and of Africa, at large.
