General News
House proposes reforms to stop human organ sale in Nigeria
By Saint Mugaga
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has said the National Assembly is considering far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare sector that will help save the lives of young Nigerians who, out of desperation, sell their organs for a pittance without understanding the health implications.
Abbas stated this on Wednesday at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Healthcare Services on seven health-related bills at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, he said the proposed laws would address gaps in the medical system, strengthen ethical standards, and ensure uniform regulation across healthcare practices in the country.
“There is no doubt that the passage of these bills will directly impact the healthcare sector of our economy and save the lives of innocent young people who in desperation sell their organs for pittance, without the benefit of medical advice on the future implications of their actions on their health,” Abbas said.
The Speaker, who commended the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, and members for their diligence, said the bills were part of efforts to build a more accountable and ethically compliant healthcare system in line with the 10th House’s Legislative Agenda.
The bills under consideration include one seeking to establish a regulatory body for organ harvesting, transplantation, and donations; another to create the Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission for the monitoring and supervision of surrogacy arrangements; and a bill to amend the National Health Act of 2014 to provide for a National Quality Accreditation Commission and a Federal Tertiary Health Institutions Commission.
Others are a bill to establish the Chartered Institute of Medical Dialysis Studies; a bill to amend the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency Act to improve efficiency; a bill to provide for the retirement age of health workers; and another to amend the National Health Act to prohibit and penalise organ trafficking.
Abbas described the proposed laws as critical to improving professionalism, curbing unethical medical practices, and standardising procedures across Nigeria’s health institutions.
“In sum, we are here today to formalise those unregulated or loosely governed areas of medical practice in Nigeria that continue to mitigate against our wellbeing,” he said.
The Speaker said the House was determined to close gaps in medical regulation, especially in sensitive areas like organ transplantation and surrogacy, which have so far operated with limited oversight.
“It is important to establish ethical frameworks for organ donation and transplantation,” he said. “It is important to provide legal clarity for surrogacy arrangements, especially as it pertains to the commercial aspect of this sensitive venture.”
He also noted that the proposed laws would build capacity in dialysis services, enhance primary healthcare delivery, and address the country’s health workforce crisis, worsened by the emigration of professionals abroad.
Abbas said the new laws would help Nigeria reduce its dependence on foreign medical care and plug the estimated $2 billion spent annually on medical tourism.
“Money that could easily be saved or ploughed into the economy if we can develop a more resilient, more responsive health sector,” he said.
He explained that standardising healthcare practices and tightening regulations would not only reduce illegal activities such as organ trafficking but also save lives and boost productivity.
“By filling existing weaknesses in the sector, from lax regulations to poor standardization and eroding professionalism, these bills have the potential to reduce crime, save lives, and improve productivity while also strengthening the economy,” the Speaker said.
Abbas emphasised that the public hearing demonstrated the House’s commitment to participatory democracy and inclusive lawmaking, urging stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the process.
“It is my expectation that you will give these discussions your best attention by deliberating freely and patriotically to enable us create the necessary framework that will promote best practices in healthcare delivery systems of our dear country,” he said.
He maintained that the reforms would ensure better oversight, protect public health, and align the country’s healthcare system with global standards.
“Collectively, these bills signal a major push for a more structured, more accountable and ethically compliant healthcare system in Nigeria,” he said. “They will effectively close the existing gaps in the administration of healthcare, and combat illegal practices that have been enabled by weak regulatory frameworks.”
Abbas added that strengthening the sector would not only save lives but also contribute to economic growth, noting that “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.”
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to transparent, inclusive, and people-centered lawmaking aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensuring equitable access to quality services.
Magaji stated this on Wednesday at a public hearing organised by the committee on seven health-related bills at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
He described the hearing as a vital democratic process through which citizens and stakeholders can actively shape legislation that affects the nation’s wellbeing.
“Public hearings such as this are not mere formalities; they are the lifeblood of democratic engagement,” he said. “They allow us to listen, learn, and legislate with clarity and compassion.”
The lawmaker, who represents Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, said the committee is determined to ensure that every citizen has access to quality, affordable, and equitable health services.
He added that the committee’s work goes beyond lawmaking—it is about building trust, fostering participation, and producing policies that reflect the realities and aspirations of Nigerians.
“This event marks a significant step toward our collective effort of strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring that every citizen has access to quality, affordable, and equitable health services,” Magaji said.
The Committee Chairman urged participants at the hearing, including health professionals, civil society groups, community leaders, and other stakeholders, to share their insights freely and challenge lawmakers to improve the proposed legislation.
“I urge all participants, health professionals, civil society representatives, community leaders, and concerned citizens, to speak freely, share your insights, and challenge us to do better,” he said. “Your contributions today will help us craft legislations that are not only technically sound but also socially responsive.”
Magaji emphasised that collaboration and open dialogue are essential to creating effective, sustainable healthcare laws that address the sector’s challenges and support Nigeria’s march toward universal health coverage.
Expressing appreciation to all participants, Magaji said the committee would continue to uphold openness and accountability in its work.
“On behalf of the committee, I thank you for your presence, your passion, and your partnership,” he said. “Together, let us build a healthcare system that reflects the dignity, resilience, and aspirations of our people and ultimately achieve the goal of universal health coverage.”
Magaji reaffirmed that the outcome of the hearing would guide the committee in refining the bills to meet both national and global standards in healthcare governance.
“This committee remains committed to transparency and inclusive policymaking,” he added. “Your voices are indispensable as we review all seven proposed bills today.”
He pledged that the House would continue to champion reforms that make Nigeria’s healthcare system more efficient, ethical, and accessible to all citizens.
END
By Saint Mugaga
Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR on Thursday spearheaded the adoption of a landmark resolution on post-conflict recovery at the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey, placing global parliaments at the centre of building just and lasting peace.
Serving as co-rapporteur alongside Mr. A. Al-Zu’bi of Jordan and Ms. F. Belhirch of the Netherlands, Kalu, who also sits on the 12-member IPU Steering Committee overseeing the World Trade Organization, presented the draft resolution on “The Role of Parliaments in Establishing Robust Post-Conflict Management Mechanisms and Restoring a Just and Lasting Peace” at the Assembly.
The adoption of the resolution signals growing recognition that sustainable peace requires strong, inclusive, and accountable parliamentary institutions.
The document commits parliaments worldwide to a five-pillar framework for recovery: strengthened institutions, equitable economic reconstruction, social reconciliation, inclusive political life, and sustained international support.
It underscores human security and common security as key principles for achieving just, lasting, and inclusive peace.
The resolution also emphasizes people-centred and preventive approaches that address the root causes of conflict while advancing trust, dignity, and resilience.
Stressing the core of the resolution, Kalu reaffirmed that post-conflict recovery must be nationally led and owned.
He urged parliaments to guide recovery through holistic frameworks that ensure reconstruction strategies, legal reforms, and institutional strengthening are designed and approved via inclusive national processes.
He added that external assistance must align with nationally defined priorities and remain subject to democratic oversight.
Kalu said: “The 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union urges Parliaments in countries affected by or emerging from conflict to ensure strong national ownership of peace and recovery processes by leading inclusive nationwide consultations, defining priorities through democratic deliberation and legislation, and ensuring that any external support is adapted to local needs, constitutional frameworks and international human rights obligations.
“Parliaments responsible for implementing peace agreements are called upon to give full legal effect to their provisions by incorporating them into national legislation, establishing clear implementation requirements, and creating permanent, cross-party mechanisms to regularly review progress. These should include hearings with relevant actors, such as women and youth groups and representatives of affected communities, to coordinate parliamentary follow-up, ensure continuity, identify gaps early, and uphold commitments across political cycles.
“When addressing the legacies of conflict, parliaments are also urged to establish national transitional justice frameworks by adopting legislation that enables truth-seeking processes, victim-centred reparations, and fair and transparent vetting or amnesty procedures, as well as effective cooperation with national and international accountability mechanisms. This ensures that justice, recognition of past harms and institutional reform form an integral part of sustainable peace.”
Beyond that, the resolution charges parliaments in countries affected by or emerging from conflict to lead inclusive nationwide consultations and ensure external support adapts to local needs, constitutional frameworks, and international human rights obligations.
Through the IPU resolution, Kalu also urged parliaments to establish national transitional justice frameworks that enable truth-seeking processes, victim-centred reparations, and fair vetting or amnesty procedures, while encouraging the use of human security approaches in legislative, oversight, budgetary, and representation functions.
The document also encourages parliaments to rebalance national and international budgetary priorities in favour of peacebuilding and prevention, prioritize conflict-affected populations in reconstruction and financing, and strengthen transparency and anti-corruption safeguards in recovery funds.
It further charges parliaments to support national and community-level reconciliation through inclusive dialogue and trauma-informed initiatives, promote local dialogue processes that bring together communities and former adversaries, and institutionalize the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and youth across all peace and dialogue processes in line with UN Security Council resolutions 1325 and 2250.
The resolution also asked parliaments to strengthen inclusive political participation by ensuring all affected communities are represented in legislative deliberations, foster constructive political dialogue through cross-party platforms, and work with governments, regional organizations, the IPU, and the United Nations to strengthen international support and funding for peace agreements.
It likewise proposes that parliaments consider lawful mechanisms to facilitate reparations for victims and mobilize resources for reconstruction, including the use of frozen or otherwise immobilized assets where lawful.
The resolution requests that the IPU provide targeted technical assistance to parliaments engaged in post-conflict recovery, including advisory missions, capacity-building, peer-learning, and support in mediation and conflict prevention.
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
Nigeria said it has concluded arrangement to host the 5th high level ministerial meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), in Abuja.
This was announced on Wednesday, at the virtual Global Media Briefing organised by Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA) in Abuja.
The theme for the meeting, “One Health — Advancing Global AMR Commitments through Local Action”, the high level meeting would hold from 28th to 30th June 2026.
According to the Ministerial Global Envoy on AMR, Government of Nigeria, Dr. Ayoade Alakija, delegations from over 100 countries are expected to participate along with Presidents of a few countries, such as, Botswana, Ghana and Nigeria.
Dr. Alakija also disclosed that President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, would welcome participants and declare the meeting open.
“The 5th High Level Ministerial Meeting on AMR would be different because not just ministers of health but also ministers of agriculture, environment and finance are being invited to take part to address AMR in all sectors (such as, animal health and livestock, food and agriculture and our environment) – and not just human health,” said Alakija.
“AMR is not just about human health and protecting just our medicines but also about prevention and protecting our animals, plants and our environment. We need to ensure that not only humans are not harmed due to AMR but also our animals, agriculture and food systems and our environment are kept safe so that we all can live in harmony together,” she said.
She noted, “If we invest US$ 1 on AMR, return on investment is US$ 11 – 11 times.
“This upcoming 5th High Level Meeting in Nigeria would focus more on solutions to address the challenge AMR is posing. We also need to ensure AMR response is fully financed including prevention, surveillance, water, sanitation and hygiene. It is strategic investments that our countries and our communities need.
“If we do not have money to fully fund our AMR multisectoral action plans, then how are we going to get the work done? So, we have to involve those who are involved with finances. Media is critical for accountability but also critical for awareness, and keeping the communities we serve involved,” she added.
Alakija cited Abuja Declaration 2001 where African countries committed to invest 15% of their annual budgets on health.
She hopes that the upcoming meeting will also play a historic role in sustainable financing for AMR response.
“Earlier in April 2026, I was at the One Health Summit in Lyons, France, hosted by President of France Mr Emmanuel Macron, where many of the people at the highest level, who were present there, have confirmed their attendance (for upcoming meet in Nigeria),” said Alakija.
She added that Nigeria had been involved with the integrated approach for a while as it was important for all sectors to speak to one another and work in concert with one another:
“AMR has typically been seen often from the lens of high-income countries. We need to address AMR recognising the gaps in all countries and contexts especially low- and middle-income countries – and ways to bridge the gaps in prevention of infectious diseases as well as gaps in stopping misuse and overuse of medicines in food and agriculture sector, animal health sector and environment along with human health sector. AMR commitments like UNGA Political Declaration 2024 needs to be translated into not just actions but local actions which are critical”, the expert said.
Speaking on the severity of AMR, Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR, Dr. Jean Nyemazi stated: “AMR is a big threat and continue to kill many people, especially in LMICs and the Global South.
“AMR is among top 10 global health threats and threatens our animals, food systems, economies and our environment. All Quadripartite agencies are supporting the upcoming high level ministerial meeting on AMR in Nigeria including the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme, and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)”.
Dr. Nyemazi added that the task for this upcoming 5th High Level Ministerial Meeting on AMR in Nigeria would be to enabling the acceleration of implementation of multi-sectoral national action plans on AMR, enabled by effective governance at all levels, sustainable investment at all levels, and walk the talk on the theme of One Health for advancing global AMR commitments through local actions.
He reiterated the role of the Media, stating that it was a strategic partner to “inform, connect and hold us accountable”.
“Evidence-based reporting ensures that AMR is visible as a development, equity and sustainability issue, it shapes the public understanding, support, behaviour change, and sustains pressure for measurable progress”, he said.
Dr. Nyemazi pointed out that the 1st and 2nd High Level Ministerial Meetings that took place in 2014 and 2019 had mostly ministers from European regions in attendance.
Now, ministers of over 100 countries were expected to take part in the upcoming meeting in Nigeria and majority comes from the Global South.
“We see the focus changing from health to One Health – which means we are having more representation from ministries of animal health, food and agriculture, and environment along with human health. When we talk about AMR prevention, we are talking about preventing AMR across all the sectors (and not just in human health)”, he said.
Speaking further, Dr. Nyemazi disclosed that one of the targets of Political Declaration adopted at UN General Assembly High Level Meeting 2024 was to reduce AMR deaths by 10% by 2030 (compared to 4.9 million AMR associated deaths recorded in 2019).
“Simple strategies that are cost-effective and impact public health such as washing hands can help. We also need to ensure equitable access to essential antimicrobials. These are few steps governments can do now”, he said.
On her part, Chairperson, Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA), Shobha Shukla explained that AMR or drug resistance was a problem driven by misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medicines – including antibiotics, antivirals, antiparasitics and antifungals – and results in critical medicines losing effectiveness to treat infections.
Shukla added that as result of drug resistance, medicines become ineffective, and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat:
“All of us are at risk of AMR. But in absence of strong public systems, those in low- and middle-income countries – and especially those who are underserved are at a much-heightened risk of AMR. We have to do better in protecting the medicines that save us.
“We also have to do better in saving lives from preventable infections as well as ensuring right and timely diagnosis and right treatment, care and support for everyone, leaving no one behind.
“Misuse and overuse of medicines is rampant in animal health and livestock, food and agriculture, human health, as well as polluting our environment”, she said.
By Felix Umande from Makurdi
Following the public outcry due to recent spate of attacks on innocent rural dwellers by terrorist herders across Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia, has directed security agencies to launch full, coordinated operations to dislodge herder terrorist camps identified in forests across Apa, Otukpo, Gwer-West and other flashpoints in the state.
Specifically, Edikwu-Ankpali, Ikobi and Adija in Apa Local Government Area, as well as Upu village in Otukpo LGA, were attacked with multiple residents killed.
Governor Alia described the renewed wave of violence against innocent communities as “unacceptable and increasingly hydra-headed,” adding that the decisive directive was necessary to halt the bloodshed.
According to the governor, in a statement issued Tuesday, the criminal elements have exploited forested areas as operational bases to launch attacks, and must be flushed out without delay.
He reaffirmed that the protection of lives and property remains the “foremost responsibility” of his administration, and mandated a “sustained, intelligence-driven security crackdown” to neutralise all threats and restore confidence among citizens, particularly in the affected LGAs.
The governor disclosed that the state government is working “in close synergy with federal security agencies” and will not relent until lasting peace is achieved.
He urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with operatives on the ground, and provide credible information to aid ongoing operations.
While commiserating with families who lost loved ones in the recent attacks, Alia restated his administration’s resolve to “confront criminality head-on and ensure that Benue State is safe for all.”
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