A bill aimed at establishing an Anti-Quackery Agency in the healthcare sector in Benue State, North Central Nigeria, has recently passed its second reading at the Benue State House of Assembly.
Sponsored by Hon. Douglas Akya, the Member representing Makurdi South State Constituency, the bill titled “A Bill for a Law to Make Provision for the Establishment of an Agency Against Quackery in Benue State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2025” seeks to create a permanent statutory agency dedicated to combating the issue of quackery in the state’s healthcare sector.
During the plenary session on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Hon. Akya emphasised the need for a dedicated agency to address the increasing number of unqualified individuals posing as medical practitioners.
He highlighted key responsibilities of the proposed agency, including identifying, investigating, and prosecuting fake health practitioners, collaborating with national regulatory bodies, conducting public sensitization campaigns, maintaining a registry of certified health professionals, and working with security agencies to enforce compliance.
Hon. Akya noted the importance of establishing a statutory agency with legal authority, operational continuity, and dedicated staffing to effectively combat quackery in healthcare.
Despite potential financial costs, he emphasised the long-term benefits such as saving lives, reducing public health costs, and restoring public confidence in healthcare delivery.
The debate received support from other members of the House, with Hon. Abu Edoh stressing the importance of public enlightenment to discourage the patronage of quacks and promote the use of government-recognised health facilities.
Following the debate, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, referred the bill to the House Committee on Health and Human Services for further legislative work.
The third reading is scheduled for the first week of September.
In a related development, the Benue State House of Assembly also passed a resolution to honour outstanding achievers in various fields, including Mr. Joshua Obekpa, who recently excelled at the Nigerian Air Force Military School Jos, and Franscisca Ordega, who emerged victorious at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca, Morocco 2024.
The House further urged the Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, to grant recognition to Mr. Ushahemba Benedict, a first-class graduate of Law, in order to encourage academic excellence.
Addressing journalists after the plenary, House Committee Chairman on Information, Hon. Alfred Berger, dismissed rumours of internal conflicts within the House and confirmed that issues had been resolved amicably.