Senate Moves to End Malaria with Bill for New Eradication Agency

In a landmark move to confront one of Nigeria’s most devastating public health crises, the Senate has advanced a bill that could permanently change the fight against malaria.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks to establish the National Agency for Malaria Eradication—a powerful, autonomous body solely dedicated to ending the disease that kills more Nigerians than any other.

During Thursday’s plenary, Senator Nwoko delivered a stirring address, framing malaria not just as a health challenge, but as a national emergency demanding urgent, coordinated action.

“Malaria is responsible for over 600,000 deaths across Africa every year—and Nigeria carries the heaviest burden,” he declared. “Behind these statistics lie broken families, lost futures, and a bleeding economy.”

Drawing from the World Health Organisation’s 2024 report, Nwoko highlighted that over 184,000 Nigerians lose their lives to malaria annually.
He underscored its toll on women and children, noting that the disease accounts for 11% of maternal deaths in the country and contributes significantly to stillbirths, miscarriages, and infant mortality.

But beyond its tragic human cost, malaria also strikes at Nigeria’s productivity.

“Millions of man-hours are lost. Billions vanish from our GDP. Yet, the response has been piecemeal—fragmented, reactive, and grossly underfunded,” Nwoko said.

He pointed out the limitations of current structures such as the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), stating that while they play vital roles, they lack the capacity and mandate to lead an aggressive, sustained eradication drive.

“Our mosquitoes are mutating. Our parasites are adapting. It is time our institutions evolve too,” he asserted. “We need a dedicated, science-led, and fully resourced agency whose sole purpose is to rid Nigeria of malaria—once and for all.”
If passed into law, the new agency will serve as a central hub to unify all malaria interventions across sectors, manage resources transparently, and channel investments into cutting-edge research—from vaccine development to genetic solutions aimed at eliminating malaria vectors.

The bill’s second reading marks a turning point in Nigeria’s decades-long battle against malaria, offering a new path forward—one backed by political will, scientific strategy, and legislative power.