Proposed Malaria Agency Divides Senate And Health Sector In Fiery Debate

Stakeholders Clash Over Senate’s Plan to Create Malaria Eradication Agency

Critical voices emerged from Nigeria’s health sector on Thursday as key stakeholders voiced strong disagreements over the Senate’s proposal to establish a National Agency for Malaria Eradication. The controversy erupted during a public hearing on the bill, which is being championed by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North.

According to iReporter Online, the Chief State Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Imarha Reuben, firmly opposed the bill, warning that the creation of such an agency would merely replicate the roles of existing bodies. He noted that it would conflict with the recommendations of the Orosanye Report, which advocates for streamlining government agencies rather than expanding them. “The Federal Ministry of Justice is against the National Agency for Malaria Eradication (Establishment) Bill 2025 SB 172 to avoid duplication of functions of existing similar agencies,” Reuben asserted.

Dr. Kolawole Maxwell, who chairs the Malaria Technical Working Group in Nigeria, echoed this concern. He argued that the focus should be on eliminating malaria altogether rather than aiming for eradication, which may be logistically impractical. Dr. Maxwell further recommended embedding malaria control efforts within a more cohesive and centralized government framework to prevent duplication and operational inefficiency.

However, the proposal found some backing. According to iReporter Online, Ismaila Haruna Dankogi, President of the Environmental Health Officers Association (FCT Chapter), threw his support behind the bill. He stated that the proposed agency could redirect Nigeria’s malaria fight from treatment to prevention, a shift he described as long overdue. Similarly, Dr. Chioma Amajoh, Executive Director of Community Vision Initiative, supported the creation of the agency, emphasizing the importance of coordinated and legally-backed efforts in tackling malaria nationwide.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, weighed in by stressing that Nigeria’s battle against malaria should be anchored in law, science, and accountability. Meanwhile, the Committee Chairperson, Senator Ipalibo Banigo (Rivers West), appreciated the wide range of contributions and assured the public that all perspectives would be fairly and objectively considered.

According to iReporter Online, the debate over the bill reveals deeper questions about Nigeria’s approach to healthcare reforms—whether establishing new institutions is the answer or if existing structures should be empowered and optimized. The potential implications of such an agency could either lead to improved focus and resources toward malaria or risk bureaucratic overlap in an already complex health system.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”