Factors that influence suicide behaviours and tendencies amongst university undergraduates in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major pressing public health concern, especially among young people in low-medium income countries like Nigeria and a major common cause of deaths among people aged 15-29 across the world. AIM: This study aims to identify the factors that influence suicide behaviours and tendencies amongst university undergraduates in Nigeria. METHOD: A systematic review of peer-reviewed primary studies followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO. Eight databases (African Journal Online, African Index Medicus, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles and Psychology, Embase and Google Scholar) were searched for studies published between 2019 and 2025. A total of 31 studies were included after rigorous screening. RESULTS: Thematic analysis identified three major themes and eleven sub-themes. These are academic factors (academic demands, academic stress, academic performance and academic environments), socioeconomic factors (family issues, parental problems, financial problems, media and internet) and psychological factors (mental illness, emotional intelligence, helplessness and hopelessness). CONCLUSION: Suicidal behaviours among Nigerian undergraduates arise from the combined effects of academic, socioeconomic and psychological stressors and vulnerabilities. RECOMMENDATIONS: A coordinated response, including university counselling and stress-management programmes, financial aid, family/community support, are needed to reduce student suicidality.