Nigeria on Monday signed on to receive a $100 million loan from the World Bank for malaria control activities, Leadership Nigeria reports. The states of Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano and Rivers will receive part of the funding for malaria control activities (Nduwugwe, 7/21).

World Bank Country Director for Nigeria Onno Ruhl signed the agreement on behalf of the bank and Nigerian Finance Minister Sarki Muhtar signed on behalf of the federal government. Ruhl said the World Bank is “confident” in Nigeria’s ability to fight malaria, This Day writes. Ruhl pointed out that during President Barack Obama’s recent trip to Ghana, he “commended” Nigeria’s interfaith efforts for fighting malaria.

Health Minister Osotimehin said the government will distribute 60 million free nets “along with free treatment for children and other measures with which the integrated war on malaria will be fought” (Nwezeh, 7/21).