LAWMAKERS MOVE TO EXPAND NACA’S MANDATE INTO NATIONAL MULTI-DISEASE CONTROL AGENCY
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The National Assembly has begun the process of transforming the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) into a multi-disease control agency with an expanded mandate beyond HIV and AIDS.
The proposed legislation seeks to reposition the agency under the Federal Ministry of Health to enable it to coordinate national responses to a wider range of public health challenges, including tuberculosis, hepatitis, and emerging infectious diseases.
The move aligns with global health reforms aimed at integrating disease control systems for greater efficiency and improved public health outcomes. Lawmakers believe that broadening NACA’s scope will enhance Nigeria’s preparedness for health emergencies and strengthen collaboration across government and health agencies.
The bill also proposes a reorganisation of NACA’s structure to include new disease control units and a revised governing board that will oversee the expanded mandate. It further emphasises better synergy between NACA, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Federal Ministry of Health to avoid duplication and ensure coordinated action.
Supporters of the bill argue that transforming NACA into a multi-disease agency will help reduce fragmentation in Nigeria’s public health response and boost the country’s ability to manage multiple disease threats simultaneously.
However, some stakeholders have cautioned that the expansion should be accompanied by adequate funding, personnel training, and infrastructure development to prevent the agency from losing focus on HIV/AIDS — the core area where it has made notable progress over the years.
If passed, the bill will mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s public health governance, repositioning NACA as a key player in the country’s disease prevention and control architecture.
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