Senate Passes National Agency for Malaria Elimination Bill, Nwoko Says Nigeria Can End Deadly Disease

The Nigerian Senate has passed the National Agency for Malaria Elimination Bill (SB.172), with sponsor Senator Ned Nwoko declaring that Nigeria can finally end the deadly disease if political will is sustained.

The bill, which passed its Third Reading on Thursday, shifts the country’s approach from just treating malaria to actively eliminating it. It creates a dedicated agency to coordinate prevention, surveillance, and nationwide eradication programmes.

What the Agency Will Do

The agency will formulate a national malaria elimination strategic plan, oversee prevention and control programmes, and maintain zonal and state offices for nationwide coverage. Senator Nwoko argued that several countries have already eliminated malaria — and Nigeria can too.

“Malaria has been eliminated in several countries around the world. It is achievable,” Nwoko said during the Senate debate. “Nigeria can end malaria, and Africa can end malaria. What is needed is focus, coordination and political will.”

Senator Banigo Ipalibo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, presented the report that led to the bill’s passage.

Families Still Losing Loved Ones

Senator Nwoko stressed that Nigeria has the resources and capacity to eliminate the disease. “There is no amount of money spent to save lives that is too much. Families are still losing loved ones to malaria every day. We cannot continue to treat this as normal.”

Malaria remains one of Nigeria’s biggest public health challenges, with millions of cases reported annually and children under five most at risk. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Sources: Premium Times, ThisDay, The Nation