With malaria continuing to claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually in Africa, Senator Ned Nwoko has renewed calls for a locally produced malaria vaccine and a structured national approach to eradication.
Speaking at the Malaria Vaccine Workshop organized by the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation, the senator emphasized the need for Nigeria to develop its own vaccine production capabilities rather than relying on foreign solutions. The workshop, themed “Building & Strengthening Sustainable Malaria Vaccine Manufacturing Ecosystem in Nigeria,” brought together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for sustainable vaccine production.
As part of his long-standing commitment to malaria eradication, Senator Nwoko has personally invested over $20 million in malaria research and pharmaceutical manufacturing across Africa. However, he stressed that individual efforts alone cannot achieve the goal of elimination, calling for government action, private sector investment, and global partnerships.
To institutionalize the fight against malaria, Senator Nwoko has introduced the Malaria Eradication Agency Bill (SB.172) in the Senate. The proposed agency will coordinate malaria research, vaccine production, and large-scale eradication programs in Nigeria. A public hearing on the bill is expected by June, and the senator has urged all stakeholders—including government agencies, health organizations, and research institutions—to support its passage.
“Malaria is not an unsolvable problem,” Senator Nwoko stated. “If this were a Western disease, the global response would have been swift. The COVID-19 pandemic proved that when there is urgency, vaccines can be developed and deployed within months. We must take responsibility for solving our own health crises.”
A Step Toward Malaria Eradication
Malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest diseases, particularly affecting children and pregnant women. Health experts believe that establishing a local vaccine production system will be a game-changer in Nigeria’s fight against the disease.
The senator’s initiative has been widely praised, with stakeholders urging the government to provide the necessary funding and policy backing. As the Malaria Eradication Agency Bill moves forward in the Senate, all eyes are now on lawmakers and decision-makers to take concrete steps toward ending malaria in Nigeria.
