The Diaspora Solution Group Nigeria (DSGN) is set to launch a cutting-edge scientific initiative designed to disrupt malaria transmission by genetically inhibiting the breeding and infectious capacity of the female Anopheles mosquito Nigeria’s most notorious malaria vector.
The initiative, formally known as the Malaria Attenuation Project, will be inaugurated on December 20, 2025, at Aloha Hotel & Resort in Osogbo, Osun State. It signals a bold shift in Nigeria’s malaria control strategy, moving from conventional interventions to advanced genetic science.
Led by a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian and global experts including Dr. Emmanuel O. Emenike and renowned geneticist Dr. Olof Olsson—the project employs a highly targeted cellular and molecular correction approach. Using precision CRISPR techniques in a controlled laboratory environment, the research aims to genetically modify Anopheles mosquitoes to limit population growth and block their ability to transmit the Plasmodium parasite.
“Our goal is to leverage modern genetic science to tackle one of Africa’s most persistent public health challenges,” Dr. Emenike stated. “This research represents a major stride toward malaria elimination through a safe, evidence-based approach tailored specifically for Nigeria.”
Dr. Emenike emphasized that the project is both species- and geography-specific, ensuring that genetic alterations pose no threat to the broader environment or non-target species. He added that the initiative positions Nigeria at the forefront of innovative malaria eradication efforts on the African continent.
The Malaria Attenuation Project is a national-scale programme funded and executed in partnership with local organisations, including Sickle Cell Warriors and Troptions Unity Token. A key objective is to strengthen local scientific capacity while fostering collaboration between Nigerian researchers at home and those in the diaspora.
The project also aligned fully with the goals of Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable, science-driven public health solutions.
The high-profile launch event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 20, 2025, and is expected to attract policymakers, leading scientists, development partners, and public health officials.
For more details contact:
Communications Office, Diaspora Solution Group Nigeria
Phone: +234 7034908692, +234 70386184
Email: dsgn.us@diasporasolutiongroup.org
