Senate Passes Malaria Agency Bill for Third Reading as Nwoko Rallies Support for Eradication Campaign

By Jane Salihu

Nigeria’s quest to eliminate one of its deadliest public health challenges received a major boost on Wednesday as the Senate passed for third reading a bill seeking the establishment of a National Agency for Malaria Elimination.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), aims to create a dedicated institution to coordinate and drive nationwide efforts toward the prevention, control and eventual eradication of malaria, a disease that continues to claim thousands of lives annually across the country.

The Passage of the bill followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West).

Presenting the report, the committee noted that the proposed agency would provide a structured and coordinated framework for tackling malaria through prevention-focused strategies rather than relying predominantly on treatment after infection.

According to the committee, the agency would be empowered to coordinate national malaria elimination programmes, establish zonal and state offices, and implement strategic interventions backed by science, legislation and accountability mechanisms.

“The agency will help shift Nigeria’s approach from curative measures to prevention and elimination strategies,” the committee stated.

The committee explained that the establishment of the agency would strengthen existing efforts by ensuring better coordination of resources, research, public awareness campaigns and environmental management initiatives aimed at reducing malaria transmission.

Speaking after the bill scaled third reading, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the legislation as a landmark intervention in the fight against malaria, noting that the disease remains one of the most common health challenges affecting Nigerians.

“This is a significant step in addressing a major public health burden that has affected millions of Nigerians over the years,” Akpabio said.

Addressing journalists after the Senate’s approval, Senator Nwoko expressed confidence that malaria elimination in Nigeria is both practical and achievable.

He explained that extensive research informed the proposed legislation and insisted that with a dedicated agency focused on prevention, environmental sanitation, fumigation and vaccine research, Nigeria could become the first African nation to successfully eliminate malaria.

According to him, the proposed agency will pursue innovative approaches, including improved waste management systems, aggressive vector control measures and enhanced scientific research aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating malaria transmission across the country.

Nwoko maintained that the passage of the bill marks a critical milestone in Nigeria’s public health journey and reflects the Senate’s commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of citizens.