Upper house approves legislation to create organization aimed at eradicating malaria

The Senate has given its stamp of approval to a bill that seeks to establish the National Agency for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, with the aim of bolstering the country's malaria response efforts.

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This development comes after the Malaria Elimination Agency Bill, 2026 (SB.172) was passed on Wednesday, following a thorough clause-by-clause examination and a third reading.

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The legislation, which was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, an APC member from Delta North, outlines a national framework for a unified, data-driven approach to combating malaria in Nigeria.

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As considered by the Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo of the PDP, Rivers West, the bill recommends the creation of a dedicated agency to oversee national malaria prevention, control, and elimination initiatives.

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This proposed agency is expected to revolutionize Nigeria's approach to malaria, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention and eventual eradication, with the added benefit of establishing zonal and state offices to facilitate nationwide implementation.

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A key aspect of the bill is the provision for a strategic national malaria elimination plan, underpinned by science, accountability, and sustained policy execution.

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According to the committee's report, presented to the Senate, the agency would significantly enhance institutional coordination, leading to improved long-term outcomes in malaria control across the country.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has hailed the legislation as a groundbreaking step in Nigeria's battle against malaria, a disease that continues to plague the nation.

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In his reaction to the bill's passage, Senator Nwoko expressed his conviction that malaria elimination in Nigeria is within reach, provided there is sustained commitment and the right institutional framework in place.

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Nwoko further explained that the proposed agency would prioritize waste management, fumigation, and research into vaccine development as part of a comprehensive strategy to eliminate the disease.

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Senator Nwoko emphasized that eradicating malaria in Nigeria is achievable through the establishment of a specialized agency dedicated to this purpose.