Senior medical experts have backed the proposed creation of an agency dedicated to malaria prevention and control in Nigeria, arguing that the country still requires a standalone institution despite existing malaria control and elimination programmes and interventions.
The malaria experts noted that although Nigeria has existing malaria-prevention initiatives, the disease burden remains persistently high, with the country accounting for a significant share of global malaria cases and deaths.
They stressed that with malaria still posing a major public health challenge, a more centralised and well-funded agency could help fast-track Nigeria’s malaria elimination goals.
The experts were reacting to a bill seeking to establish the National Agency for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, passed by the Senate on June 10, 2026.
The bill seeks to establish an agency to coordinate national efforts to prevent, control, and eventually eliminate malaria in Nigeria. In addition, the bill provides for the establishment of zonal and state offices to drive malaria elimination efforts nationwide.
