In a landmark victory for public health, the Senate has officially passed the National Agency for Malaria Elimination Bill (SB.172). Sponsoring the legislation, Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) declared the bill’s passage a historic turning point, asserting that Nigeria is finally ready to transition from merely managing malaria to completely eliminating it.
The bill, which successfully scaled its third reading, seeks to establish a dedicated, data driven institution tasked with coordinating a comprehensive national response to the disease.
Malaria has been eliminated in several countries around the world. It is achievable. Nigeria can end malaria, and Africa can end malaria. What is needed is focus, coordination and political will.
– Senator Ned Nwoko
Nwoko maintained that Nigeria could replicate the success recorded by other nations if it invested more in:
- Aggressive environmental management and fumigation to target mosquito breeding sites.
- Advanced research, surveillance, and data collection.
- Widespread public awareness campaigns.
- Grassroots elimination strategies executed via federal, state, and local government partnerships.
Addressing potential concerns regarding institutional overlap, the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) clarified that the new agency will absorb and streamline existing efforts, serving as the central coordinating body nationwide. The committee noted that Nigeria’s current framework is heavily skewed toward treatment, whereas this agency will heavily prioritize prevention and permanent elimination. Lawmakers intentionally adopted the term “elimination” over “eradication” to align with international public health standards for country-level interventions.
Many people have come to accept malaria as a normal part of life. It should not be.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.
-Senator Ned Nwoko
The legislation received overwhelming support during public hearings and stakeholder consultations. Contributions and memoranda were submitted by a vast coalition of health experts, civil society organizations, and government bodies, including: The Federal Ministry of Health & Federal Ministry of Justice, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) & Joint Health Sector Union, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Nigeria End Malaria Council & Malaria Technical Working Group.
Following its successful passage in the Senate, the bill will now move to the House of Representatives for concurrence. Upon passage by the House, it will be transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for presidential assent.
If enacted, the National Agency for Malaria Elimination will stand as one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in Nigeria’s recent history, positioning the nation as a leader in the continent-wide campaign to eradicate malaria.
