Nigerian Senate Establishes National Agency for Malaria Elimination

The Nigerian Senate has successfully passed a bill to establish the National Agency for Malaria Elimination, which was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko from Delta North. This legislation, which passed its third reading, aims to position Nigeria as the first malaria-free country in Africa.

The bill followed the consideration of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo from River West. The proposed agency will coordinate national efforts to prevent, control, and eventually eliminate malaria, shifting the country's approach from curative to preventive strategies.

The agency will operate nationwide with zonal and state offices, driven by a strategic plan backed by scientific research to ensure effective impact across states. Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the passage of this bill as a landmark achievement in the war against malaria, which remains one of the most common ailments globally.

The bill had previously passed its second reading in May of the previous year.