WHO says global war against leprosy far from over

By Sola Charles 

To mark the 2026 World Leprosy Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for the  elimination of the social stigma surrounding the disease, which is one of humanity's oldest diseases.

Themed  "Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma", WHO renewed its commitment to a leprosy-free world announcing a five-year extension  of the partnership with Novartis  through 2030 to ensure that multidrug therapy (MDT), which is the only cure for the disease, is provided free of charge to every patient worldwide.

The theme highlights the harsh reality that social exclusion often lasts much longer than the medical infection.

While 55 countries reported zero new cases in 2024, the fight remains urgent as 172,717 new cases were detected globally in the same year.

Left untreated, leprosy, which is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, leads to permanent nerve damage and physical disabilities, though it remains entirely curable when caught early.

WHO Goodwill Ambassador Yohei Sasakawa, marking his 25th year in the role, warned that discrimination remains a stubborn challenge that often persists beyond the end of treatment.

He highlighted that survivors frequently face forced divorces, job loss, and social isolation, enduring the pain of exclusion even after being medically cleared. The push against leprosy is now a central part of the broader mission to wipe out Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

With World NTD Day approaching on January 30, health leaders are calling for a combination of science, equity, and global solidarity to ensure that stigma no longer stands in the way of a total cure.

Nigerian govt and IITA partner to boost food security, sign MoU on fertiliser, soil health

By Sola Charles 

Towards improving national food sovereignty, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to transform Nigeria's agricultural sector through advanced soil science.

The agreement, signed during a formal ceremony in Abuja, officially launches the Nigeria Farmers' Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), a presidential initiative designed to shift the nation away from traditional farming methods toward a data-driven, precision-based ecosystem.

Speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, underscored the fundamental importance of the partnership, it is a cornerstone of a broader strategy to increase productivity and ensure the nutritional quality of the nation's food supply.

Kyari said the Agreement would provide farmers with data driven recommendations for fertiliser use and crop selection, to help optimise yields and reduce costs.

The collaboration would also focus on enhancing land management and climate services, developing national expertise, and establishing a model for regional cooperation.

Both parties would work together to tackle issues such as soil nutrient depletion, erosion, and climate change effects using advanced technologies.

“Beyond food availability and affordability, the government was committed to ensuring nutritional quality and safety. If the soil is not healthy, no matter the effort, the desired results cannot be achieved,” he noted.

On his part, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi said  the MoU is anchored on three fundamental objectives.

These are: to strengthen Agricultural Land Management and Climate Change Services with emphasis on Soil Health and Fertiliser Management in Nigeria; to build National capacity through applied research, soil fertility practice management data systems, and policy support and Promote a model of collaboration that can inspire and inform similar efforts across the ECOWAS region.

“This scheme is designed to remove guesswork for Nigerian farmers by giving them facts, what to plant, where to plant, and the type of fertilizer required for each soil type”.

Laboratories sited across 774 local government areas, will enable farmers to submit soil samples for analysis and receive recommendations similar to medical laboratory tests.

 Abdullahi  lauded the IITA for strong collaboration and multi-faceted partnership with Nigeria over the years, focusing on transforming our agriculture for food security and economic growth through research, innovation, capacity building and technology transfer targeting climate resilience, data-driven farming and youth/women empowerment.

The Director – General, IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui, said that the agreement would support the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS) and the continued development of the Nigerian National Soil Information System (NNSIS).

He said the partnership as a policy and delivery commitment is designed to provide farmers with data-driven, location-specific recommendations rather than “generalized messages”.

Implementation would be channelled through the Regional Hub of Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel, hosted by IITA, to ensure coordination, common standards, and shared learning across countries.

“This approach assures a standards-based system rather than isolated interventions, while allowing Nigeria to benefit from regional expertise.”

He emphasised that the initiative would deliver crop and location-specific fertilizer recommendations for key staples such as rice, maize, sorghum, wheat and yam alongside integrated soil fertility management, improved laboratory standards, digital soil information systems and capacity building.

The IITA would provide research and technical expertise, training, soil testing support, and monitoring frameworks to ensure measurable outcomes.

“The real test of this MoU will be results-improved soil health systems, higher fertilizer use efficiency, stronger national capacity and accelerated progress towards food security,” he added.

RISA Fund closes out in Nigeria with strong potential for local partnerships

By Sola Ogundipe

A new era of  demand- driven innovation is transforming  Nigeria's agric  and food security landscape, through the  Research and Innovation Systems for Africa - Knowledge and Commercialisation Cohort (RISA-KCC) project.

A strategic initiative funded by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO),  the  RISA Fund Nigeria project was implemented by Adam Smith International.

At the close-out event  in Lagos, themed “Strengthening Systems, Showcasing Impact & Building Sustainable Partnerships”  following the conclusion of a three-year implementation in Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Abass, the National Technical Advisor on the RISA-KCC project, described the impact as nothing short of amazing.

"We found an ecosystem that was ready to move but lacked coordination. In just over three years, we have triggered catalytic changes by bringing government-funded research institutions, fabricators, processors, and farmers into one room.

"The centerpiece of this success is the creation of the Coalition of Stakeholders in Agricultural Mechanisation  (CONESAM). This coalition has broken down the 'silos' that previously hindered progress, bringing together agencies like the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), FIIRO, and NISPRI to work alongside regulators like NAFDAC, SMEDAN, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).”

Further, Abass stated that  the project's philosophy was that  research should solve problems, not just satisfy curiosity.  At least 35 agricultural technologies ranging from completely new inventions to vital iterations of existing tools were involved.

 "For the first time, regulators like SON provided specific guidelines during the development phase, ensuring that Nigerian-made machines meet international standards for commercialisation.

"We are moving research from ideation to commercialisation. Our institutions will no longer address research from a point of enthusiasm, but through a demand-based approach."

Also speaking during the close-out session, Chisom Udemezue, the Technology and Innovation Adviser with  FCDO-Nigeria, said the conversation has shifted from funding  to future-proofing.

“The success of the project isn't measured by the money spent, but by the systems left behind that no longer need external aid to thrive.

“By strengthening the links between government, industry, and academia, RISA has moved Nigerian research out of dusty laboratory files and onto commercial shelves.

"Strong research and innovation enable growth.  We wanted to ensure Nigeria doesn't just have research capabilities, but the ability to scale those ideas into actual products that create businesses.

"Through the CONESAM coalition, local manufacturers who once worked from head knowledge are now using digital tools to build standardized, high-quality machinery,” Udemezue remarked.

On her part, Professor  Abiodun Gbenga-Ilori, a Professor of Electrical & Electronics Engineering at the University of Lagos, said  RISA is transforming Nigerian universities into innovation hubs.

“For decades, the traditional path for a brilliant Nigerian engineering graduate was often a one-way ticket abroad, now,  in Unilag and 13 other institutions a quiet revolution is turning Japa into a startup.

“Through the Innovation to Market project, Nigerian universities are no longer just teaching theory; they are building the infrastructure to turn students' ideas into profitable businesses.