The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has revealed that Nigeria bears 27% of global malaria cases.
Dr Salako added that 31% of related deaths to malaria occurred in Nigeria, quoting the 2024 World Malaria Report.
The minister, while briefing the media in Abuja to mark World Malaria Day (WMD) recently acknowledged the country’s disproportionate burden of the disease and its consequences for the people.
He expressed alarm over the rising toll of malaria in Nigeria, urging renewed efforts to combat the disease under this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reignite, Reimagine.”
“This theme reminds us that eliminating malaria requires collective ownership and decisive action. Our slogan, ‘Stay Committed,’ is a call to action for governments, partners, businesses, and communities to sustain the fight,” he stated.
The minister outlined Nigeria’s roadmap through the Rethinking Malaria Initiative, which includes sub-national intervention, tailoring and mobilizing global experts to provide technical support through Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN).
Dr Salako added that the federal government targets 12 states for mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets in 2025.
The benefitting states include Akwa Ibom, Delta, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Taraba, and Yobe.
He said the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) aimed at expanding preventive medicine to 30 million under-five children across 21 states.
Dr. Salako reaffirmed Nigeria’s 2030 malaria elimination target, citing “evidence-based partnerships” with global health bodies. “We must reimagine our approach to protect every Nigerian,” he urged.
